(212) 274-0989

89 Mercer St (nr. Spring St.)
New York, NY 10012 40.722996 -73.999965

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Neighborhoods: SoHo, Downtown

bar89.com/

Hours:

Daily, noon-1am

Price:

$$$

Last updated 8.14.11

Category:

Bars & Pubs, Taverns

Payment Methods:

American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard

Restaurant Special Features:

Romantic Dining, Celeb Hangout, People Watching, Date Spot, Bar Scene

Cuisine:

Traditional American

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Bar 89

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In Short – From the outside, Bar 89 looks like an exclusive club with a blank facade and black-clad bouncer. Diners dress the part, too: Models clad in couture sip fruit-infused 'tinis at the arced mahogany bar; Soho-alites, rocking the latest $400 jeans, fill the black leather booths and coyly gorge on mounds of nachos, grilled cheese, herb-salted fries and burgers topped with everything from fried onions to Alfredo sauce.

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
The kitchen is open until 1am every day, so never again will you go hungry late-night in Soho.
Where to Sit:
For a prime people-watching perch, ask for a table on the balcony. You'll also have easy access to the must-see bathrooms, which go from clear to foggy once occupied.
What to Drink:
Exotic fruits infuse the martini and mixed-drink menu, from passion fruit to pomegranate. Every drink is under $15.
ambiance
92.8600025177002% positive
  1. “When I go I like to sit upstairs because I like to be able to get a full view of the restaurant and just take everything in.”
  2. “This place is great- great atmosphere and great food and drinks!”
  3. “Good 'Strong' drinks, decent price food, good ambience.”
  4. “The space is still slick and very comfortable, the bathrooms still amaze, it is still a cool haven on a sticky NYC day; but it's not really a place to go for the food, nor for special drinks.”
  5. “The decor is a little too plain for my taste, and the tables are a bit too small, but the incredible value and attentive service make it a worthwhile stop if you are in the area.”
  6. “Have a beer, a simple martini or a glass of wine, enjoy the ambience and then go somewhere else.”
  7. “found the service unpretentious and loved the decor.”
  8. “and the place is very comfortable and cute, its”
  9. “I've always liked this restaurant because of its atmosphere.”
  10. “Clean, nice, good customer service, decoration, simplicity even the reasonable prices.”
  11. “The food is surprisingly good, the ambience is relaxing, and the service was unpretentious.”
  12. “The bathroom, of course, are fun.”
  13. “The decor is really beautiful, we had lilacs on our table with white candles, a sky roof overhead and No tvs!”
  14. “Guaranteed great food, drinks and ambiance.”
dessert
75.0% positive
  1. “Key lime pie was delicious.”
  2. “ordered a dish where the main food was supposed to be Scottish Salmon but actually tasted more like chalky cardboard that had probably spent the last month or so in their refrigerator uncovered along with soggy blackbread and dryed out cream cheese - th”
drinks
79.40999984741211% positive
  1. “Have a beer, a simple martini or a glass of wine, enjoy the ambience and then go somewhere else.”
  2. “Awesome service, food, drinks.”
  3. “Typical frozen food and not that amazing drinks”
  4. “This place is great- great atmosphere and great food and drinks!”
  5. “was sitting in the front of the house and the drinks and the food were good as usual, but this was the first time that I had terrible service.”
  6. “Good 'Strong' drinks, decent price food, good ambience.”
  7. “The drinks at Bar89 are very good and are very strong.”
  8. “THey have incredible drinks and incredibly reasonable pricces for food!”
  9. “This is a great place for non-smokers who hate to sit in a smelly smoke filled bar.”
  10. “It was the standard, nice, minimally decorated type of bar with expensive drinks.”
  11. “The space is still slick and very comfortable, the bathrooms still amaze, it is still a cool haven on a sticky NYC day; but it's not really a place to go for the food, nor for special drinks.”
  12. “The cocktails are unique and delicious yet a bit pricey.”
  13. “Guaranteed great food, drinks and ambiance.”
  14. “Of course I was driven here to see the famous bathrooms, but I ended up sticking around for a few drinks.”
  15. “initially wanted to go there just for the bathrooms but the food and drinks was delicious.”
  16. “know NY is expensive and I'm used to spending $12/ drink, but that's at a place where i expect it.”
  17. “think some people never had good fruity drinks to know the difference.”
food quality
80.64999580383301% positive
  1. “The food is surprisingly good, the ambience is relaxing, and the service was unpretentious.”
  2. “The delightful thick bacon in the BLTs is not complemented by the feably soft bread.”
  3. “was sitting in the front of the house and the drinks and the food were good as usual, but this was the first time that I had terrible service.”
  4. “Typical frozen food and not that amazing drinks”
  5. “Guaranteed great food, drinks and ambiance.”
  6. “Key lime pie was delicious.”
  7. “always trek to Bar 89 and get one of their huge sandwiches that comes with fries.”
  8. “The food here is actually pretty damned good; portabella sandwich is delicious, and grilled cheese is above par.”
  9. “don't really like burgers or sandwiches but this place changed my mind.”
  10. “Good 'Strong' drinks, decent price food, good ambience.”
  11. “The food is also good as well and the portions are indeed very generous.”
  12. “If your looking to hangout with good food and your friends you should really try this place...:o)”
  13. “initially wanted to go there just for the bathrooms but the food and drinks was delicious.”
  14. “The burgers are excellent especially the one with the jalapenos.”
  15. “Awesome service, food, drinks.”
  16. “usually also forgive the food if the service is nice but this place was batting -0-”
  17. “This place is great- great atmosphere and great food and drinks!”
  18. “have yet to have a bad meal at Bar 89?”
  19. “We had burgers and chicken sandwiches which were superb, esp since I could actually taste that it was grilled.”
  20. “Everyone was very friendly and the food was very good.”
  21. “The space is still slick and very comfortable, the bathrooms still amaze, it is still a cool haven on a sticky NYC day; but it's not really a place to go for the food, nor for special drinks.”
  22. “greasy burgers, a tad cold and nothing to write home about.”
  23. “The cocktails are unique and delicious yet a bit pricey.”
  24. “THey have incredible drinks and incredibly reasonable pricces for food!”
  25. “surprising good food”
  26. “ordered a dish where the main food was supposed to be Scottish Salmon but actually tasted more like chalky cardboard that had probably spent the last month or so in their refrigerator uncovered along with soggy blackbread and dryed out cream cheese - th”
  27. “The food is always fresh and consistant.”
  28. “The food was delicious and reasonably priced esp.”
  29. “Drinks were costly, but good, food was great, and i've never seen a bathroom like it.”
  30. “highly recommend Bar 89 if you are looking for a good place for a reasonably priced meal.”
  31. “The service was poor anyway and food?”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “usually also forgive the food if the service is nice but this place was batting -0-”
  2. “If your looking to hangout with good food and your friends you should really try this place...:o)”
  3. “good place for a casual but not slobby dinner.”
  4. “great place to unwind.”
  5. “This is a great place for non-smokers who hate to sit in a smelly smoke filled bar.”
  6. “highly recommend Bar 89 if you are looking for a good place for a reasonably priced meal.”
service
55.0% positive
  1. “was sitting in the front of the house and the drinks and the food were good as usual, but this was the first time that I had terrible service.”
  2. “terrible service”
  3. “The decor is a little too plain for my taste, and the tables are a bit too small, but the incredible value and attentive service make it a worthwhile stop if you are in the area.”
  4. “Awesome service, food, drinks.”
  5. “They are some of the most outgoing bartenders/wait staff we've encountered in NYC: warm, friendly, fast, and always personable.”
  6. “The service during lunch is very slow.”
  7. “The service is really friendly and the bathrooms are really COOL.”
  8. “The service was poor anyway and food?”
  9. “The service was extremely slow.”
  10. “usually also forgive the food if the service is nice but this place was batting -0-”
  11. “The service was terrible.”
  12. “just called to ask about reservations for my birthday party for 12 people and the guy who answered the phone was extremely rude.”
  13. “The waiter was really rude.”
  14. “Clean, nice, good customer service, decoration, simplicity even the reasonable prices.”
  15. “Everyone was very friendly and the food was very good.”
  16. “The food is surprisingly good, the ambience is relaxing, and the service was unpretentious.”
  17. “ordered a dish where the main food was supposed to be Scottish Salmon but actually tasted more like chalky cardboard that had probably spent the last month or so in their refrigerator uncovered along with soggy blackbread and dryed out cream cheese - th”
  18. “found the service unpretentious and loved the decor.”
  19. “The one and this is the ONLY problem I have had at Bar89 to date is the horrible service I received on May 1st.”
  20. “think some people never had good fruity drinks to know the difference.”
value
68.17999839782715% positive
  1. “know NY is expensive and I'm used to spending $12/ drink, but that's at a place where i expect it.”
  2. “Good 'Strong' drinks, decent price food, good ambience.”
  3. “The cocktails are unique and delicious yet a bit pricey.”
  4. “This place is a bit pricey (to pay for the changing installations on the high walls, and perhaps to maintain the famous bathrooms (well worth a look, a stare, a blink of shock, etc).”
  5. “The decor is a little too plain for my taste, and the tables are a bit too small, but the incredible value and attentive service make it a worthwhile stop if you are in the area.”
  6. “Clean, nice, good customer service, decoration, simplicity even the reasonable prices.”
  7. “Drinks are a little pricey but are hip nontheless.”
  8. “It was the standard, nice, minimally decorated type of bar with expensive drinks.”
  9. “The food is also good as well and the portions are indeed very generous.”
  10. “Great casual dining at a great price”
  11. “always trek to Bar 89 and get one of their huge sandwiches that comes with fries.”
wait time
0.0% positive
  1. “The service was extremely slow.”
  2. “The service during lunch is very slow.”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

08/04/10

Martinis are very good

by Gina Zape at Citysearch

There so many things I love from this place first all for the location the price are OK the menu are very simple and delicius, the pleace itself is beautiful minimalistic deco and unisex bath-room. I usally go fridays at night and must said sometimes I have to wait to get a table but if you arrive before 9pm theres no a problem.

1 Star Rating: Poor

08/16/09

Too bad you can't give this place a Negative Rating

by mjb1040 at Citysearch

I just had the most atrocious experience in this place. I ordered a dish where the main food was supposed to be Scottish Salmon but actually tasted more like chalky cardboard that had probably spent the last month or so in their refrigerator uncovered along with soggy blackbread and dryed out cream cheese - this is known as their SSS sandwich - I also ordered a split of Pommery champagne in the pop bottle which was downright sour On top of this we had a nasty waitress who couldn’t give us the time of day followed by a berating by the manager who claimed that the waitress complained that we were nasty to her when i made her take back my dish I eat in nice restaurants all the time and, while having been in the business many years ago which makes me more critical than most patrons would be, I don’t usually complain unless there is something extremely wrong. I usually also forgive the food if the service is nice but this place was batting -0-

  • Pros: None
  • Cons: read Below
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/17/09

Excellent Place For Cocktails

by Javonn at Citysearch

I am a regular at Bar 89 as I am sometimes there every week or at least every other week. When I go I like to sit upstairs because I like to be able to get a full view of the restaurant and just take everything in.

The drinks at Bar89 are very good and are very strong. The food is also good as well and the portions are indeed very generous.

The one and this is the ONLY problem I have had at Bar89 to date is the horrible service I received on May 1st. I just remember the date because it was somebody's birthday and I was taking them to Bar89 before we went to a lounge. I was sitting in the front of the house and the drinks and the food were good as usual, but this was the first time that I had terrible service.

We had a waitress there who had glasses, and I didn't catch her name, but I specifically ask not to sit in her section when we go there now. The service was extremely slow. When our food came, we didn't have any utensils or napkins. It seemed like it took her twenty minutes to do every little thing. We ordered drinks from the bar and waited for what seemed like an eternity to get them. The table that she was serving across from us actually had to go to the bar to ask her what was taking so long with their drinks or if she had even put them in, and one of them just wanted water!

Other than that one experience, I continue to be a regular at Bar89, and always will be. Ironically, the guests that I brought to Bar89 asked me when we were going back again.

  • Pros: Excellent Service and Great Atmosphere
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

05/14/09

A++ All Over this Place!

by Momo876 at Citysearch

Me and a couple friends came to Bar 89, May 9 to celebrate my best friends 21st bday. We were originally going TGI Fridays and at the last min I mentioned about this place and we were out., lol...We were reallllll skeptical, we thought we'd be in a bootleg Uno's. But really the place is soooo beautfiul, we were greeted by a doorman and I'm guessing the owner, based on our convo with him. When inside we were able to choose our own table. The waitress was really patient, courteous and very nice, esp with the birthday girl who couldnt decide wat would be her first cocktail. The decor is really beautiful, we had lilacs on our table with white candles, a sky roof overhead and No tvs! I loved that, I didnt have to worry about anyone focusing on a playoff game, it was really a social setting. I could see myself coming there after work or after shopping just to unwind. The food was delicious and reasonably priced esp. for it's location. We had burgers and chicken sandwiches which were superb, esp since I could actually taste that it was grilled. And the A+ goes also to the vegetables and fruits, a very good alternative to just having sum fries. The bathroom is beautiful as well, its like walking into sum 4 star hotel, it was clean and had an original design with indiviual stalls and automatic foggy doors...I really loved this place. If your looking to hangout with good food and your friends you should really try this place...:o)

P.S. Try the Huckleberry Lemonade...Delicious!

  • Pros: Great Service, Delicious Food
  • Cons: None
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/16/09

Awesome service, food, drinks...

by nubbx2 at Citysearch

We repeat our patronage to Bar 89 mainly because of the service. They are some of the most outgoing bartenders/wait staff we've encountered in NYC: warm, friendly, fast, and always personable. The food is always fresh and consistant. The cocktails are unique and delicious yet a bit pricey. However you do get your money's worth!

The Details on Bar 89

Place Categories:

  • great price food
  • great cool place
  • very cool unisex bathrooms
  • great fruity drinks
  • terrible service
  • warm nyc
  • nice restaurant
  • nice good customer service
  • not amazing drinks
  • nice decoration
  • celebrate best friends 21st
  • still fabulous bar
  • delish coconut martini
  • cold greasy burgers
  • very comfortable a
  • pricey place
  • great atmosphere
  • loved decor
  • enjoy ambience
  • superb chicken sandwiches
  • great price
  • delicious cocktails
  • excellent grilled cheese
  • superb burgers
  • incredible attentive service
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