(212) 539-0808

94 W Houston St (nr. LaGuardia Pl.)
New York, NY 10012 40.7272 -74.0001

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Neighborhoods: SoHo, Downtown

madamexnyc.com/

Hours:

Mon-Fri 6pm-4am

Sat-Sun 7pm-4am

Last updated 10.17.11

Category:

Restaurants, Nightclubs, Neighborhood Bars, Singles Bars, Lounges, Bars & Pubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Diners Club, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Happy Hour

Smoking Permitted:

In garden

What People Are Saying About Madame X

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – Red light bulbs and lampshades cast a crimson glow upon a bordello-like bar bedecked with burgundy velvet-draped couches and a slew of nude prints. A curtain blanketing the back wall gives the impression that a show is perennially about to start, but the pulse of jazz, dancehall, hip-hop and reggae never lets up, precluding the possibility of anything but a liquor-lapping good time. A 20-something crowd partakes of gleefully named drinks such as the Sweet Little Bitch--a mix of Amaretto, Grand Marnier and pineapple juice--in the main bar area and one of several adjoining party…

Editor's Tips

Where to Sit:
Weather permitting, the heated backyard--perfect for winter-weather smoking--is open until 4am.
Save Money:
Arrive early for the daily specials. Some drinks go for a measly five bucks until 9pm; get there before 9:30pm on Friday and Saturday nights and avoid the $5 cover.
What to Drink:
Treat your girl to a Cherry Pop--a blissful blend of Bacardi Limon, triple sec, Rose's lime juice, sour cherry syrup, sour mix and soda.
The Extras:
Throw a party in one of the semi-private areas and you won't have to stress over your guests getting in or paying a fee at the door. The Salon Rouge boasts two fireplaces and a balcony for intimate gatherings, while the Bedouin Lounge is a racy glass-enclosed atrium overlooking the back garden.
ambiance
97.22000122070312% positive
  1. Great service, great atmosphere, no-hassle parties
  2. has nice lounges and cozy corners: great for conversation with a small group of friends or "NEW" friends.
  3. great service / great music / great fun
  4. all this, and still a great decor of red lights and plush couches.
  5. The decor is mild and attractive, the staff are polite and friendly, the music played are by up and coming spin jockeys that range from classic disco to super funky hip hop, and the crowd couldn't get any more attractive.
  6. The music is always fun.
  7. The atmosphere was perfect.
  8. The atmosphere was second to none (great dj), and after the party most of my friends were calling me asking when we were going to have another one there.
  9. The place is spacious and cozy -- loved the saucy decor.
  10. The place is so nice, it has a great atmosphere!
  11. Not only does it have a great atmosphere and cool decor, the bartender that was serving the night I was there was AWESOME!
  12. The upstairs room was very roomy with plenty of comfortable seating.
  13. So my girls and I went to Madame X on a Thursday after work and LOVED the atmosphere, the DJ was hella cool taking requests and playing all the latest and greatest!
  14. From the decor and the artwork on exhibit to the attentive staff and creative, inexpensive drink specials, you can't go wrong with Madame X. We've been going to the weekly game night on Tuesdays and have attended events on Thursdays and on the weekends an
  15. felt like i was trapped in a dirty 1990's dirty club without any of the beautiful people or fun.
  16. These places are getting rarer and when you combine atmosphere with such friendly bar staff its a perfect night to relax and unwind given the chaos going on outside.
  17. This was such a fantastic cozy place for a private party - even though it is not a huge space, the way it is set up made it feel like there was tons of space.
  18. Great ambiance, all else lacking
  19. The atmosphere was great, the drinks weren't too expensive (highly recommend the Mojitos!)
  20. It's the kind of New York bar I love - great atmosphere, unpretentious and very friendly people.
  21. The atmosphere was comfortable for any of my guests, regardless of their eclectic backgrounds.
  22. Great place - lots of fun!
  23. Madame X has a terrific decor and a great bear selection.
  24. paid $50 plus a $10 tip on the reservation fee for a birthday party, and while the DJ and decor was cool, I was disappointed with the accommodation and the service
  25. Convenient location, sweet cocktails, a cool upstairs lounge and little alcoves for hanging out in!
  26. They reserved a few very comfortable couches for me in the back room which had easy access to the outdoor patio, allowing people plenty of space to mix n mingle.
  27. The music created a great atmosphere, and it didn't interfere with the numerous conversations.
  28. Great date place nice cozy sofas all around.
  29. It is a wonderful place to lose yourself to the great music and romantic vibe.
  30. Very romantic, and great place to bring a date.
  31. The atmosphere inside is great, but the best part is that garden.
  32. Everything that I've always wanted to experience in a bar in NYC...comfortable lounge atmosphere, mostly local clientele, cool jazz trio, fabulous drinks, extremely friendly staff.
  33. Katlyn was beautiful, fun and energetic!
  34. Otherwise, place was very fun and unique, drinks were delicious and strong, and I would recommend this place if you don't mind some crowds!
  35. The ambiance was sultry, the attention was personal, the music was pumping and the drinks were perfect.
  36. The furniture is clean and comfortable, but it still has a basement with red lights feel to it.
drinks
97.29999542236328% positive
  1. There are also some great custom-made drink specials.
  2. The music was great, not too loud, and we were there early on a Friday, 8pm, so it wasn't too crowded and we could take advantage of drink specials.
  3. Our bartender Alex was great and the drinks were cheap.
  4. Highly recommend this NON PRETENTIOUS bar/lounge to those of you who are sick of snobby
  5. cool bar scene whether on a date or with a group.
  6. Otherwise, place was very fun and unique, drinks were delicious and strong, and I would recommend this place if you don't mind some crowds!
  7. Rani at the bar, a much prettier Jennifer Anniston, made the start to our evening so memorable that a week later i'm still laughing with my friends.
  8. These places are getting rarer and when you combine atmosphere with such friendly bar staff its a perfect night to relax and unwind given the chaos going on outside.
  9. The drinks were pricey but good.
  10. Amy, the manager, was so friendly and helpful from the moment I called her, and she reserved almost the entire downstairs lounge area of the bar for us.
  11. It was a Friday night and I only stayed for a few hours but the drinks I had was amazing and the host that evening Kaina was so sweet and hospitable.
  12. It's the kind of New York bar I love - great atmosphere, unpretentious and very friendly people.
  13. From the decor and the artwork on exhibit to the attentive staff and creative, inexpensive drink specials, you can't go wrong with Madame X. We've been going to the weekly game night on Tuesdays and have attended events on Thursdays and on the weekends an
  14. The atmosphere was great, the drinks weren't too expensive (highly recommend the Mojitos!)
  15. great place for a party or cocktails with friends!
  16. Convenient location, sweet cocktails, a cool upstairs lounge and little alcoves for hanging out in!
  17. Great drinks, rude staff
  18. The music was great (not too loud) and most importantly our bartender, Christine, was on point getting drinks out to everyone waiting.
  19. The bar is gorgeous - very "hot" and relaxing with great music.
  20. Cool drinks, cool people, cool music and some damn good loungin' (If you get there early enough!)
  21. I've been going to Madame X for years and it's a wonderful place for a casual drink or get together with friends.
  22. was expecting the garden to be crowded but we were the only ones out there - it's a good size, set up very nice and makes you want to hang out there - makes up for the bartender who sits at the end of the bar not noticing you for a few minutes.
  23. Great staff, no question and great drinks.
  24. The ambiance was sultry, the attention was personal, the music was pumping and the drinks were perfect.
  25. Oh yeah, the drinks are luscious and the place looks cool, too.
  26. Funky music, great drinks, outdoor seating, always freindly and cool people meeting!
  27. The dedicated waitress, Heather, was amazing, remembering your drink, after you ordered one.
  28. The staff was extremely nice and courteous, promptly bringing our delicious drinks with a smile.
  29. Also, the price was more than reasonable, and the bar management tailored a perfect package for me.
  30. Part of being a good neighborhood bar is caring about your neighbors.
  31. the fee to reserve space for a large group was extremely reasonable / the drink prices were not expensive / and most of all the music was great.
  32. the drinks are great, the signature drink "Madame X" was delish.
  33. Jason the manager made a point to find me and introduce himself, which was very cool, I also have to give a HUGE shout to Alex the bartender - not only were his drinks perfectly made but he was friendly and I NEVER had to wait for a drink - he rocks!
  34. It can get hot b/c it's so crowded, the outside heated garden was a blessing, the drinks were good and well-priced, you can bring in your own food, and the setting is beautiful.
  35. The outdoor garden is beautiful, the crowd is diverse and the music and drinks are perfect.
  36. Everything that I've always wanted to experience in a bar in NYC...comfortable lounge atmosphere, mostly local clientele, cool jazz trio, fabulous drinks, extremely friendly staff.
  37. will def be back for drinks and highly recommend this place for anyone having a party.
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. Unlike most nyc clubs that require bottle service/outrageous reservation fees/and act like they are doing you a favor by allowing you to spend your $ at their establishment - Madame X was a breathe of fresh air.
  2. The staff was extremely nice and courteous, promptly bringing our delicious drinks with a smile.
  3. AND a cute outside area to grab some fresh air or a quick smoke.
  4. It can get hot b/c it's so crowded, the outside heated garden was a blessing, the drinks were good and well-priced, you can bring in your own food, and the setting is beautiful.
  5. Otherwise, place was very fun and unique, drinks were delicious and strong, and I would recommend this place if you don't mind some crowds!
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. but after a bit it was fantastic and everyone in my party loved the DJ, which is difficult with my very diverse group of friends.
  2. Madame X has a terrific decor and a great bear selection.
  3. The outdoor garden is beautiful, the crowd is diverse and the music and drinks are perfect.
  4. Great martini menu!
overall
100.0% positive
  1. great place for a party or cocktails with friends!
  2. After reading a good prior experience, I thought Madame X would be a cool place to go.
  3. Generally it is a good place to go once you are already drunk and wandering around Houston St.
  4. It was a great place for a first date.
  5. Madame X is a great NY place to go with its 2 floors and funky bordello decorating with great couches and DJ.
  6. nice place but be wary about planning a party
  7. Everyone commented on how great the place was.
  8. Very romantic, and great place to bring a date.
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. Not only will I go back again and again, I intend to tell everyone I know about this wonderful place!
  2. Left with a great desire to return:)
  3. will def be back for drinks and highly recommend this place for anyone having a party.
service
93.75% positive
  1. Super friendly bartenders and a great chill spot.
  2. Great staff, no question and great drinks.
  3. The staff was extremely nice and courteous, promptly bringing our delicious drinks with a smile.
  4. It is friendly staff that makes Madame X one of my favorite lounges to go to.
  5. The waitress walked up to us on the little velvet platform near the window and he was kissing me and she said "you two are the best lovers I have ever seen and I see people hanging over each other all the time here" We took that as a sign.
  6. From the decor and the artwork on exhibit to the attentive staff and creative, inexpensive drink specials, you can't go wrong with Madame X. We've been going to the weekly game night on Tuesdays and have attended events on Thursdays and on the weekends an
  7. Right down to the manager, I found Madame X to be staffed with the most angry, obnoxious, abrupt people.
  8. If you are going to be in the service industry, at least have a good attitude.
  9. The layout of the space is also very cool - lots of different levels and alcove-type areas, and can hold large groups of people.
  10. If you're planning on hosting a party, I highly recommend Madame X. I hosted a birthday party last year for 30 people, and working with the manager, Amy, couldn't have been easier.
  11. The bartenders were attentive and lovely, especially Meg.
  12. Everything that I've always wanted to experience in a bar in NYC...comfortable lounge atmosphere, mostly local clientele, cool jazz trio, fabulous drinks, extremely friendly staff.
  13. Cool drinks, cool people, cool music and some damn good loungin' (If you get there early enough!)
  14. felt like i was trapped in a dirty 1990's dirty club without any of the beautiful people or fun.
  15. Not only was the venue perfect for such an event, but the entire staff was extremely professional and accommodating.
  16. Not only does it have a great atmosphere and cool decor, the bartender that was serving the night I was there was AWESOME!
  17. Jason the manager made a point to find me and introduce himself, which was very cool, I also have to give a HUGE shout to Alex the bartender - not only were his drinks perfectly made but he was friendly and I NEVER had to wait for a drink - he rocks!
  18. The scence is very warm and friendly and the bartender was like an "average Joe
  19. The owner, Amy, and one of the managers, Karen, are both very friendly and easy to work with, and Christine the bartender was awesome.
  20. It's the kind of New York bar I love - great atmosphere, unpretentious and very friendly people.
  21. Last week I had a Valentine's Party at Madame X, and I couldn't ask for a friendly more accomodating staff.
  22. All the patrons were friendly and the bartender was generous and attentive.
  23. The space was perfect, a private atrium with our own bartender; we even had a secret hiding spot up a ladder where some mysterious hookups happened.
  24. If you want to truly enjoy yourself, then you have to/need to go to Madame X. You'll find incredible wait staff, friendly crowd and most importantly a good time.
  25. The best staff around.
  26. Had a friend's surprise bday party there and the event planner (Amy) was unbelievably nice, accomodating and attentive to all our needs.
  27. Great service.
  28. The amount of people dancing and bumping into us as we TRIED to enjoy the small spot we did have was ridiculous.
  29. The staff was very receptive to our party plans and worked with us to put together a memorable event.
  30. paid $50 plus a $10 tip on the reservation fee for a birthday party, and while the DJ and decor was cool, I was disappointed with the accommodation and the service
  31. The service was pleasant and quick.
  32. Great service, great atmosphere, no-hassle parties
  33. The music was great (not too loud) and most importantly our bartender, Christine, was on point getting drinks out to everyone waiting.
  34. The staff is also great, but they are not push-overs.
  35. great service / great music / great fun
  36. The dedicated waitress, Heather, was amazing, remembering your drink, after you ordered one.
  37. Great drinks, rude staff
  38. Unlike most nyc clubs that require bottle service/outrageous reservation fees/and act like they are doing you a favor by allowing you to spend your $ at their establishment - Madame X was a breathe of fresh air.
  39. The decor is mild and attractive, the staff are polite and friendly, the music played are by up and coming spin jockeys that range from classic disco to super funky hip hop, and the crowd couldn't get any more attractive.
  40. was expecting the garden to be crowded but we were the only ones out there - it's a good size, set up very nice and makes you want to hang out there - makes up for the bartender who sits at the end of the bar not noticing you for a few minutes.
  41. And Christine the Bartender was so incredibly fast and friendly - all of our guests loved her!
  42. We had plenty of room to sit and spread out, and our cocktail waitress, Kaina, was amazing.
  43. The staff is friendly - and the vibe is great!
  44. They reserved a few very comfortable couches for me in the back room which had easy access to the outdoor patio, allowing people plenty of space to mix n mingle.
  45. They were a fantastic staff, gracious and helpful, all knowing and patient!
  46. the place is awesome and the staff makes you feel welcome and the service was spectacular!
  47. These places are getting rarer and when you combine atmosphere with such friendly bar staff its a perfect night to relax and unwind given the chaos going on outside.
  48. have never experienced such rude service and disrespect.
  49. Amy, the manager, was so friendly and helpful from the moment I called her, and she reserved almost the entire downstairs lounge area of the bar for us.
  50. The service was beyond attentive and friendly.
  51. The room with the little wall nook is great b/c it has a makeshift dance floor to dance on - which people will do b/c the DJs there are great.
  52. The staff was pleasant and helpful and the bouncer definitely made it feel like a private party.
  53. The staff was very nice and prompt even when I asked them to move furniture for me.
  54. Our bartender Alex was great and the drinks were cheap.
  55. The outside garden was also a great space for people to go out and smoke.
  56. Funky music, great drinks, outdoor seating, always freindly and cool people meeting!
value
90.0% positive
  1. The atmosphere was great, the drinks weren't too expensive (highly recommend the Mojitos!)
  2. The drinks were pricey but good.
  3. From the decor and the artwork on exhibit to the attentive staff and creative, inexpensive drink specials, you can't go wrong with Madame X. We've been going to the weekly game night on Tuesdays and have attended events on Thursdays and on the weekends an
  4. The prices are reasonable, and the coordinator, Amy, helped me through the process.
  5. Also, the price was more than reasonable, and the bar management tailored a perfect package for me.
  6. Our bartender Alex was great and the drinks were cheap.
  7. This was such a fantastic cozy place for a private party - even though it is not a huge space, the way it is set up made it feel like there was tons of space.
  8. All the patrons were friendly and the bartender was generous and attentive.
  9. the fee to reserve space for a large group was extremely reasonable / the drink prices were not expensive / and most of all the music was great.
  10. The price for reserving was very reasonable - I don't know if it's the same regardless of party size, but for us it was only $50 to have the space so long as at least one of us was there before 10pm (after 10 it went up to $100).
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. AND a cute outside area to grab some fresh air or a quick smoke.
  2. Amy also promised us that we could have the space as long as we wanted and that we wouldn't be kicked out - which was fantastic.
  3. The price for reserving was very reasonable - I don't know if it's the same regardless of party size, but for us it was only $50 to have the space so long as at least one of us was there before 10pm (after 10 it went up to $100).
  4. was expecting the garden to be crowded but we were the only ones out there - it's a good size, set up very nice and makes you want to hang out there - makes up for the bartender who sits at the end of the bar not noticing you for a few minutes.
  5. The service was pleasant and quick.
4 Star Rating: Recommended

11/11/11

Great Lounge on Houston

by talent1 at Citysearch

I appreciate the little things in life. A well-cooked filet. The smell of laundry fresh out of the dryer. Bar managers that pick up the phone.

Madame X goes above & beyond on that last one. Amy - the events coordinator - is one of the sweetest and most responsible people I've ever worked with. They make it policy to provide her direct cell phone line on their voice-mail and she even picked up the phone four hours away while driving back to NYC. She effortlessly fielded my call and didn't need a calendar to see if her party room was booked. I was blown away.

We originally scouted Madame X because they did a fantastic job with my sister's birthday party. The drinks were well-mixed, the DJ spun a great mix of 80's, 90's, and Top 40. Swanky decor. Little to complain about except the late-night cover.

We didn't wind up going with Madame X as another alternative popped up, but I strongly recommend you making the upstairs party room a priority for your next soiree.

Great service and drinks. Solid 3.5 Stars

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

09/02/10

Great Bachelor/Bachelorette Party Place!

by jekoontz at Citysearch

I've always been fond of Madame X's decor, cocktails, and garden area, so I decided to have my bachelor/bachelorette party there. Amy was so helpful and had many options to reserve a space for our party at very reasonable prices. When we arrived right away Meg took us to our couch and shooed away some other customers to free up our reserved space (always happy when staff takes care of this sort of thing without prompting or drama). From then on Meg was very attentive and friendly, fair and reasonable; the perfect cocktail waitress! When we got a little too rowdy she gently and politely checked us and we immediately stepped back into line. ;) We had a really great time, the bartenders were also awesome, and I couldn't have asked for a better place to host our bachelor/bachelorette party! :)

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/06/10

I love Madame X!

by bdk41 at Citysearch

I had a birthday party at Madame X, and couldn't have been happier with how it turned out. The place is spacious and cozy -- loved the saucy decor. Amy was extremely accomodating and professional in helping plan the event and reserve a space. The bartenders were attentive and lovely, especially Meg. Even though our party moved outdoors to the garden area (which we loved!), Meg consistently made trips out back to take care of our drinks. My guests had a fantastic time; I would definitely come back.

  • Pros: spacious, great bartenders, good music, outdoor garden
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/24/09

best bar/lounge I been to

by Betsy19 at Citysearch

I recently had the 3rd Scorpio Bash at madame X!! we had a great time! the place is awesome and the staff makes you feel welcome and the service was spectacular!! We had the best waitress everyone in my party was very pleased with her service. Thank you Madame X for making my day so special.

Betsy

  • Pros: original drinks, great space to hang with friends
  • Cons: none
4 Star Rating: Recommended

07/10/09

Chic lounge!

by BCohen101 at Citysearch

I love, love, LOVE this cute and chic lounge. I've been going to Madame X for years and it's a wonderful place for a casual drink or get together with friends. I've been to many birthday parties here and the vibe is always down-to-earth and fun. Great martini menu! Get your cocktails on! :)

The Details on Madame X

Place Categories:

  • great ny place
  • friendly accomodating staff
  • great drinks
  • helpful amy
  • great atmosphere
  • great music
  • highly recommend madame x
  • great service
  • friendly bartender
  • best upstairs lounge
  • helpful managers
  • fantastic space
  • great small spot
  • cool saucy decor
  • beautiful friendly people
  • great dj
  • memorable event
  • fabulous bday party
  • very cool vibe
  • great couches
  • energetic katlyn
  • great prior experience
  • unbelievably nice event planner
  • reasonable price
  • perfect venue

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