(212) 420-9517

112 Ave A (at 7th St.)
New York, NY 10009 40.7263 -73.9832

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Alphabet City, East Village, Downtown

Hours:

Daily, 4pm-4am

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants, Bars & Clubs, Neighborhood Bars, Singles Bars, Bars & Pubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Diners Club, Discover, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Happy Hour

Bar & Club Special Features:

After Work, Late-Night Scene

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Niagara

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Singles pack the front room and chug beers around the bar, while groups nab tables in the back room as the DJ spins a mix of oldies-but-goodies (think Donovan's "Mellow Yellow") alongside fresh-picked rock and roll. Most patrons opt for a pint or stiff well drink, but the staff will gladly pour a perfect dirty martini or Manhattan--and they'll even remember to chill the glass. On weekends, it's a beacon to the Jersey and Long Island indie-rock kids who avoid the more traditional B&T hangouts, but Niagara's still a go-to for the more local post-collegiate crowd. –…

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
For a fruitier cocktail, head to the tiki bar downstairs.
Save Money:
Stop by for happy hour, every day from 4pm to 8pm for $3 beers and well drinks
Know Before You Go:
The concentration of men in the bar on the weekends has led some visitors to dub the joint "Viagara."
The Extras:
For a fruitier cocktail, head to Lei Bar, the tiki spot downstairs.
Fun Fact:
The mural painted on this corner bar pays tribute to the late Joe Strummer, and attracts a crowd that appreciates (or at least recognizes) the working-class punk rock of the Clash.
ambiance
75.0% positive
  1. “had a great time downstairs dancing to the tunes and making fun of people, until the go-go dancer left (HOT tattood woman”
  2. “Great fun bar to meet up with friends and find new ones.”
  3. “loved the music, the atmosphere, and the people.”
  4. “After a few drinks though, I didn't care - so wound up making the best of a bad situation and having fun anyway.”
  5. “Dancing is fun, but let's ditch the 80's for one weekend, unless I'm coincidentally going to 80's nite all the time.”
  6. “The upstairs bar is nothing extra-ordinary, however the downstairs is so much fun.”
  7. “Downstairs is more fun!”
  8. “did not like the atmosphere and was bored.”
drinks
90.0% positive
  1. “only had wine that evening, so I can't really comment on the drinks, but the gal who was the bartender on Tuesday was very nice and polite.”
  2. “Niagara itself is a cool bar except you better get there in time to grab a table/booth in the back room.”
  3. “The upstairs bar is nothing extra-ordinary, however the downstairs is so much fun.”
  4. “Being from England we generally know a good bar when we see one.”
  5. “Within getting our drinks, the bartender asked for our IDs again (clearly for some reason did not trust his own bouncer who is paid to check IDs) and said "I don't mind if you don't tip, but you would MIND moving out of the best seats in the house right (”
  6. “This place has a great attitude and I think a few people may have misunderstood the bar staff who's patter is class but sarcastic at times.”
  7. “Best worst bar ever”
  8. “It's great to enjoy cheap drinks during happy hour while watching the people pass by from the giant front windows as the sun goes down over thompkins square park.”
  9. “Great music, happy hour and thanks to the bar woman who took us for a night out around the East Village to the Toy Factory?”
  10. “After a few drinks though, I didn't care - so wound up making the best of a bad situation and having fun anyway.”
  11. “Crowd was really cool and the drinks were great!”
  12. “once i got a few drinks in me we were dancing like crazy--they played some GREAT songs.”
  13. “decent time can still be had at this place, but its more or less like any other bar in Manhattan.”
  14. “have never seen a bar so full of Jersey kids!”
  15. “used to love to go here, they had this little area outside where you can go smoke, the drinks were relatively cheap ( not sure if the prices are the same) and the downstairs used to have a good variety of music ranging from 80s, to metal, 90s, to hip ho”
  16. “love this bar during the week - mainly locals (like me).”
  17. “Great east village bar.”
  18. “This was a very decent neighborhood bar.”
  19. “Bartender's are polite and drinks are reasonable.”
  20. “Great fun bar to meet up with friends and find new ones.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “used to love to go here, they had this little area outside where you can go smoke, the drinks were relatively cheap ( not sure if the prices are the same) and the downstairs used to have a good variety of music ranging from 80s, to metal, 90s, to hip ho”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “agree with the other reviewers, this is a good place to hook up even if you are not looking to do that.”
service
85.71000099182129% positive
  1. “had a great time downstairs dancing to the tunes and making fun of people, until the go-go dancer left (HOT tattood woman”
  2. “It's great to enjoy cheap drinks during happy hour while watching the people pass by from the giant front windows as the sun goes down over thompkins square park.”
  3. “loved the music, the atmosphere, and the people.”
  4. “only had wine that evening, so I can't really comment on the drinks, but the gal who was the bartender on Tuesday was very nice and polite.”
  5. “rude bartender”
  6. “This place has a great attitude and I think a few people may have misunderstood the bar staff who's patter is class but sarcastic at times.”
  7. “Within getting our drinks, the bartender asked for our IDs again (clearly for some reason did not trust his own bouncer who is paid to check IDs) and said "I don't mind if you don't tip, but you would MIND moving out of the best seats in the house right (”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “used to love to go here, they had this little area outside where you can go smoke, the drinks were relatively cheap ( not sure if the prices are the same) and the downstairs used to have a good variety of music ranging from 80s, to metal, 90s, to hip ho”
  2. “the bands are usually good and while i can't remember the name off hand, the band that the owner is actually part of plays every once in a while and is defintiely worth seeing.”
  3. “It's great to enjoy cheap drinks during happy hour while watching the people pass by from the giant front windows as the sun goes down over thompkins square park.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

04/29/09

My 2nd Home

by msk22 at Citysearch

I have been going to Niagara for over 10 years... I love this bar during the week - mainly locals (like me). The weekend crowd is a little different (but what bar isn't different on weekends?!?).

The downstairs was recently renovated and is no longer a "Tiki Bar" which was honestly needed.

The DJ upstairs and downstairs on weekends plays 80's, 90's, Rock, Hip Hop and new songs. I've never heard anyone complain about the music.

  • Pros: Strong Drinks, Super Cute Bartenders (girls and guys), Music
3 Star Rating: Average

03/17/09

Another NYC favorite that lost it's charm....

by flydi379 at Citysearch

Another bar which used to be a favorite which now turned into something i cant recognize anymore.

I used to love to go here, they had this little area outside where you can go smoke, the drinks were relatively cheap ( not sure if the prices are the same) and the downstairs used to have a good variety of music ranging from 80s, to metal, 90s, to hip hop, to top 40s. Now every time i go there it seems like they only play the popular top 40s stuff or hip hop. I feel like im a frat party all of a sudden (granted my opinion may be a little skewed because i hate pop music). Oh yeah and not to mention half of New Jersey is packed into this bar...

The outside area is now closed and you cant go out to smoke anymore. A decent time can still be had at this place, but its more or less like any other bar in Manhattan. The only good thing is that its on ave A and surrounded by 100 other bars to go to.

  • Pros: location, multiple rooms, dance floor
  • Cons: music, crowd
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/15/08

ATTRACTIVE BARTENDERS

by mcmurphy27 at Citysearch

This is my favorite East Village spot, located on the corner of Avenue A and 7th Street it truly is one of the best intersections in NYC. The bartenders are chill, especially the ladies. They know their stuff; drinks, how to build a log cabin, marching band anthems, horror movies, the list goes on and on. They are definitely as random as the clientele and way more fun to talk to. If I had to describe them in 3 words --intelligent, charismatic, and HOT!! I guess 2 of them are sisters but I can't figure out which ones. It's great to enjoy cheap drinks during happy hour while watching the people pass by from the giant front windows as the sun goes down over thompkins square park. They also have a fun art show on Thursdays in the downstairs, a lot of eclectic artist types reminiscent of "Old New York".

  • Pros: Pizza Shop next door, good service
  • Cons: not so much
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

10/09/07

Class.

by leggo at Citysearch

Being from England we generally know a good bar when we see one. This place has a great attitude and I think a few people may have misunderstood the bar staff who's patter is class but sarcastic at times. Great music, happy hour and thanks to the bar woman who took us for a night out around the East Village to the Toy Factory?

Jesse Malin even popped in to say alright.

One of the top bars in probably the best area for a night out in Manhattan. Angels and Kings with the other two bars around the corner, Lit, 7A for breakfast. Have a night out round here...

  • Pros: Very Good...
  • Cons: Very Few...
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/12/07

Great Spot!

by craigtinervin at Citysearch

Great east village bar. Crowd was really cool and the drinks were great! Location was very easy to get to with a lot of surrounding things to do. The owner of the bar was very kind and receptive to everyone who entered his door. Will definitely be going back!

  • Pros: Great crowd on the weekdays
  • Cons: Too busy on weekends

The Details on Niagara

Place Categories:

  • fun neighborhood bar
  • like music
  • unique eccentric crowd
  • enjoy cheap drinks
  • much fun time downstairs
  • rude bartender
  • not like atmosphere
  • very nice gal
  • best end seats
  • great happy hour
  • best intersections
  • favorite charm
  • hate pop music
  • unique play lists
  • like other bar
  • usually good bands
  • great songs
  • bad situation
  • fun dancing
  • great thanks
  • favorite east village spot
  • loved people
  • good place
  • usually really good oh
  • worst bar