(212) 431-9750

326 Spring St
New York, NY 10013 40.7259 -74.0095

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Neighborhoods: SoHo, Downtown

Last updated 4.13.10

Category:

Bars & Pubs, Nightclubs, Neighborhood Bars, Restaurants, Taverns

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Club Special Features:

Live Music

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Ear Inn Inc

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

In a city so eager to pave over its past and replace it with a replica, the Ear Inn is among the the last of a dying breed. Since the 1870s, the Ear has played host to printers, sailors and longshoremen back when the ports and printing industry thrived along the Lower West Side. Even the neon sign that hangs from wall is protected as a landmark. Lately the Ear attracts Tribeca pioneers, old-school downtown artists, club kids and some of the few remaining printers in the area.

Editor's Tips

The Extras:
Great food that transcends the typical bar menu is served by Irish waitresses. Just don't ask for french fries.
When to Go:
The bar usually features live jazz and blues from Sunday through Wednesday.
ambiance
93.75% positive
  1. “Good music and a laidback atmosphere make this the perfect place to go on a night when you don't want to deal with the pretentious people that seem to infest the rest of SoHo.”
  2. “Cool atmosphere and good service”
  3. “Friendly staff, and great ambiance.”
  4. “Old style atmosphere, great food at a great price and really good Guinness.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “This is a very old and small bar, but its patrons are friendly and occasionally lively.”
  2. “An excellent place with good beer and good service.”
  3. “an attitude-free bar with friendly bartenders, great music and good eats.”
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. “And yes - food is good, and crowd - friendly.”
  2. “Go there when in need of comfort food and a nice conversation.”
  3. “Old style atmosphere, great food at a great price and really good Guinness.”
  4. “The food is good here (I'm amazed at how small the kitchen is), the Bar is good midweek, I've never been there at weekends though.”
  5. “It is a dump, no doubt, but if you want a great burger/steak or other with a pint of Guiness that WON'T break you wallet, GO THERE!”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “If your looking for a nice interesting place to rest your rump, this is it.”
service
86.11000061035156% positive
  1. “And yes - food is good, and crowd - friendly.”
  2. “An excellent place with good beer and good service.”
  3. “Cool atmosphere and good service”
  4. “an attitude-free bar with friendly bartenders, great music and good eats.”
  5. “Good music and a laidback atmosphere make this the perfect place to go on a night when you don't want to deal with the pretentious people that seem to infest the rest of SoHo.”
  6. “Had a horrible experience with the hostess, which negatively tainted my group's experience there.”
  7. “The place is very friendly if you allow it to be.”
  8. “Friendly staff, and great ambiance.”
  9. “This is a very old and small bar, but its patrons are friendly and occasionally lively.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “Old style atmosphere, great food at a great price and really good Guinness.”
1 Star Rating: Poor

11/21/09

Horrible treatment

by LadyLindsey525 at Citysearch

I've never witnessed anything quite like this but tonight me and two of my girlfriends were looking to bar hop and found ourselves here at Ear Inn where some random old guy offered to buy first round. When carded by the bartender we all pulled out our NJ, NY, and FL state issued IDs. With our ages ranging from 25 to 27 we expected all to be well - however two of us were very rudely turned away. When asked what the problem was the tender said my ID was fine but pointed to my two friends saying their ID's were obviously fake, threatening to call the police. When we said "please do" he said "just leave, we don't want them here." Me being the only white person - "them" very clearly referred to my two black companions. Please do not patronize this place. No one should be treated this way.

  • Cons: Blatent racism
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

01/03/09

Summer's Evening Delight

by DaviesinNY at Citysearch

Can't think of a better place to sit and drink a pint on a summer evening watching the sun go down over the hudson than the Ear Inn. Friendly staff, and great ambiance. Highly recommend after sampling the Portuguese tapas round the corner.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/05/06

Cool atmosphere and good service

by timbersuga at Citysearch

Very cool place to chill out and have a lowkey night with friends. The crayons on the table add a creative touch, and we made the most out of drawing amusing things on the paper table overlays. Our waitress was really cool and brought a drink back for us that was accidentally made wrong (ordered a vodka cranberry, the bartender accidentally poured a tequila and cranberry haha), without any trouble and we all had a laugh. We seemed to notice that the crowd consisted of many attractive women and few attractive men - which is great for a guy but not for girls! Good music and a laidback atmosphere make this the perfect place to go on a night when you don't want to deal with the pretentious people that seem to infest the rest of SoHo. 2 Thumbs way up!

  • Pros: Fun atmosphere, good service
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/06/05

Lennon was right in this case too!

by thunell at Citysearch

According to some articles that I have read, John Lennon frequented this place and I understand why! An excellent place with good beer and good service. It's an old place with little space and a dive in so take it for what it is! Sunday brunch is awesome here!

  • Pros: Beer, History, Service
  • Cons: None
4.5 Star Rating: Recommended

11/04/03

1870's and still going strong

by potbelinic at Citysearch

If your looking for a nice interesting place to rest your rump, this is it. Old style atmosphere, great food at a great price and really good Guinness. Its not your eyes playing tricks, nothing is level in this place, nothing.

Think the bathrooms are twice as big as the kitchen. All in all its one of the best places in town. Try to make the readings on Saturday afternoon. Smile at the bartender and say hello. Smile at the waitress and say hello. The place is very friendly if you allow it to be.

  • Pros: great Guinness, great bartenders, great food
  • Cons: none

The Details on Ear Inn Inc

Place Categories:

  • nice interesting place
  • good food
  • cool laidback atmosphere
  • occasionally lively patrons
  • great music
  • good service
  • horrible treatment
  • great burgersteak
  • friendly bartenders
  • nice conversation
  • good beer
  • really good guinness
  • great ambiance
  • great wallet
  • twice as big bathrooms
  • pretentious people
  • good midweek
  • recommend highly
  • great price
  • horrible experience
  • great many attractive women
  • awesome sunday brunch