(212) 925-4242

332 Lafayette St (Just north of Houston St., on the west side of the street, East Village & NoHo)
New York, NY 10012 40.7258 -73.995

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: NoHo, Downtown

TEMPLEBARNYC.COM

Hours:

Mon-Thu, 5pm-1am

Fri-Sat, 5pm-2am

Sun, closed

Last updated 8.06.11

Category:

Restaurants, Bars & Pubs, Nightclubs, Lounges

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Diners Club, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Celeb Hangout

Bar & Club Special Features:

Specialty Cocktails, Romantic Nightlife

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Temple Bar

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – Once your eyes adjust to the dark, you'll see why New Yorkers covet Temple's mysterious charms. For most, it's love at first sight of the stained wood, black marble and dim deco sconces, which is why fans refuse to have a drink here with just anyone. Tucked in the shadows, you get the feeling this spot will exist forever. It's a feeling worth saving for an escapade with real potential. – – The Draw – Aside from the elegant atmosphere, the easy piano music and lovely lady legends of jazz murmuring in your ear, there are the strong drinks, a staggering vodka…

Editor's Tips

What to Drink:
The straight-up Manhattan, a mix of Angostura bitters, Noilly Pratt sweet vermouth and either Maker's Mark or Crown Royal arrives garnished with a cherry.
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “The music was also really nice; not too loud, but loud enough to support the atmosphere.”
  2. “impeccable drinks and sexy atmosphere leave you infatuated with your date.”
  3. “The atmosphere, lighting, drinks, food, and staff all create the perfect spot for any date.”
  4. “Temple Bar is a georgeous, sophisticated cocktail lounge with a romantic ambiance.”
drinks
90.0% positive
  1. “If you like strong, large vodka cocktails, then Temple Bar is for you.”
  2. “The cocktails are great, and the bartenders very nice.”
  3. “Atmosphere is dark and pleasant, service is wonderful, food was decent (just ate a few things at the bar -- the popcorn in bowls is great but watch the salt!)”
  4. “The bottle of wine we ordered was not impressive, even though we paid a decent amount for it.”
  5. “impeccable drinks and sexy atmosphere leave you infatuated with your date.”
  6. “Temple is a great spot for intimate conversation and perfect drinks.”
  7. “The drinks are excellent, the appetizers passable.”
  8. “good place to meet friends, or just sit and have a relaxing drink.”
  9. “The atmosphere, lighting, drinks, food, and staff all create the perfect spot for any date.”
  10. “This is a great little place for a drink, but easy to miss.”
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. “Atmosphere is dark and pleasant, service is wonderful, food was decent (just ate a few things at the bar -- the popcorn in bowls is great but watch the salt!)”
  2. “nice staff, fabulous finger food.”
  3. “The atmosphere, lighting, drinks, food, and staff all create the perfect spot for any date.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “They have an excellent selection of martini's and the staff is extremely helpful and accommodating.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “This is a great little place for a drink, but easy to miss.”
  2. “great place.”
  3. “good place to meet friends, or just sit and have a relaxing drink.”
service
77.2700023651123% positive
  1. “The atmosphere, lighting, drinks, food, and staff all create the perfect spot for any date.”
  2. “nice staff, fabulous finger food.”
  3. “While the servers are attentive and undeniably attractive in their little black dresses, they occasionally struggle with the complexities of handling your order.”
  4. “Drinks are excellent, but service is rather mediocre.”
  5. “The staff seemed almost uncomfortable and was overattentive and pretty clueless.”
  6. “The cocktails are great, and the bartenders very nice.”
  7. “The waitress was nice.”
  8. “Atmosphere is dark and pleasant, service is wonderful, food was decent (just ate a few things at the bar -- the popcorn in bowls is great but watch the salt!)”
  9. “Good quiet relaxed vibe; HORRIBLE wait staff - so bad it ruins the experience”
  10. “They have an excellent selection of martini's and the staff is extremely helpful and accommodating.”
  11. “Relaxed velvet seating and an excellent staff, as well as attractive clientele, mak.”
1 Star Rating: Poor

01/01/09

Clueless management

by johnatan

I've been an on and off regular since 1999, but the last 2 Mondays I've been there it's been the same. And waiting 10mins for a dry Martini when the lounge is empty... it's ridiculous! But my date realized what was going on, a blonde girl behind the bar talking and following the bartender as a shadow, from the time we arrive: 9pm, until we left : last call.

I just wanted to tell her to let the guy make my drink! I asked who she was and I was told she's the manager! After being charged $15.5 for each Martini I would expect a better management...

  • Pros: Perfect for a date
  • Cons: Be ready to wait 10min or more for a martini
1 Star Rating: Poor

11/25/08

Good quiet relaxed vibe; HORRIBLE wait staff - so bad it ruins the experience

by abcbucku

For the prices, much better choices around.

Staff is slow/non-attentive considering a smaller bar. Also quick to snap (especially rude, considering I was with a young work crowd spending over $1K).

3 Star Rating: Average

11/29/06

dcgsdf

by wavy

332 Lafayette St (Cross Street: Bleecker Street)

New York, NY 10012View Map

(212) 925-4242

Directions: 6 at Bleecker St; B, D, F, V at Broadway-Lafayette

Editorial Review

A shrine to sophistication and drinking like a grown-up.

2 Star Rating: Below Average

04/17/06

Get of your high horse!

by chrz2

The pretentiousess was sufforcating!

I went with a couple of friends and was floored by the stuck up and rather robotic attitude. This is definitely not a place for having fun. The staff seemed almost uncomfortable and was overattentive and pretty clueless.

1 Star Rating: Poor

02/24/06

User review by poodlenyc

by poodlenyc

Temple Bar is a georgeous, sophisticated cocktail lounge with a romantic ambiance. Drinks are excellent, but service is rather mediocre. Beware of gratuity charges!

  • Pros: romantic, free popcorn, decent drinks
  • Cons: unwelcoming, expensive, uptight

The Details on Temple Bar

Place Categories:

  • very nice large vodka cocktails
  • great little place
  • excellent drinks
  • almost uncomfortable wait staff
  • nice staff
  • perfect martini
  • undeniably attractive servers
  • great spot
  • rather mediocre service
  • pleasant friendship
  • great popcorn
  • romantic ambiance
  • pleasant conversation
  • great little room
  • impeccable sexy atmosphere
  • bad vibe
  • really nice music
  • best lounge downtown
  • never recommend place
  • perfect date environment
  • nice waitress
  • fabulous finger food
  • not impressive bottle
Advertisement

Lists In Manhattan

Recent Reviews In Manhattan

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

Curry Dream

66 W. 39th St, New York, NY

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Libation

137 Ludlow St., New York, NY

4 Star Rating: Recommended

Blackstones Pub & Restaurant

245 E 55th St, New York, NY

1 Star Rating: Poor

Garage Restaurant and Cafe

99 7th Avenue South, New York, NY

Advertisement