(212) 727-0244

52 8th Ave (Between Jane Street and Horatio Street)
New York, NY 10014 40.7385 -74.0037

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Neighborhoods: West Village, Downtown

merchantsny.com/art/art_home.…

Hours:

Daily 4pm-4am

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

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

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Happy Hour, Bar Menu

Dress Code:

Casual

Bar & Club Special Features:

21 & Over, Specialty Cocktails, After Work

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Art Bar

Featured Review

Kara Zuaro

Contributor

Thrift-store sofas arranged in get-to-know-you clusters, a wood-burning fireplace and muted crystal chandeliers factor into the warm, homespun vibe. Expect to find reasonably priced drinks, a trendy selection of martinis and good old-fashioned comfort food. Ambient lounge music and sinister-looking paintings boost the bar's appeal. As does the fact that voices can be heard over the music, making it a rare find as a conversation-friendly bar. Although it draws a mixed crowd, you won't find to many patrons who can't recollect the '80s.

Editor's Tips

Happy Hour:
Happy hour is from 4pm to 7pm daily, with two-for-one specials on draft beer, house wine and well drinks.
ambiance
92.8600025177002% positive
  1. “The very dark and cozy back room with working fireplace is nice in the winter”
  2. “small place with a cozy atmosphere and nice lighting.”
  3. “The back room is extremely cozy with conversation-striking decor, but if you can't handle running a tab wth gratuity included, stay in the front and order at the bar.”
  4. “But off-peak, like Sunday or weekday nights, Art Bar is a private, cozy place where you're guaranteed a seat.”
  5. “However, the back bar, with its low lighting and comfortable seating, is rather enchanting.”
  6. “The backroom is extremely cozy and romantic as well.”
  7. “If you like incredibly rude service and overrated atmosphere, this is the place for you.”
  8. “Great atmosphere!”
  9. “GREAT appetizers and food small and cozy and also local there drinks are ok but how can u mess up a drink.”
  10. “That's what happens here at this very warm, inviting, fun, sweet, good time spot.”
  11. “The atmosphere is warm and cozy.”
  12. “Only really really ridiculously good looking gentlemen would be smooth enough to bring a date to this charming bar with a hidden (sort of) ambience that is emblematic of what makes New York special.”
  13. “The lounge is cozy, but very smoky, and service is hard to come by.”
  14. “When I lived in NYC I used to go here a lot - GREAT atmosphere and a terrific place to hang out!”
drinks
72.98999786376953% positive
  1. “This bar has some of the best prices in the city and a friendly cool staff.”
  2. “If you want to have a party where you can actually talk to the people there, have affordable drinks, and eat some good food, Art Bar is the spot.”
  3. “Art Bar has an extensive food menu and yummy seasonal drinks.”
  4. “Cool bar.”
  5. “Do you like cheap drinks, tasty food, and oh so SASSY bartenders?”
  6. “what a terrible bar”
  7. “The service at the bar was adequate but the service in the back room was terrible.”
  8. “Later in the night, she refused to close our tab so I had to get the male bartender to give us our card to even get out of the worst staffed bar in the city.”
  9. “The response from the unhappy, dumpy waitress: "It's okay if some of you don't order drinks, but this is a business, and we're *really* busy tonight, so you have to order *something”
  10. “Great drinks, decent prices (for Manhattan), Internet jukebox, great back room.”
  11. “Never go to any bar to order a water and expect good service -period.”
  12. “The drinks are so-so, but the appetizers are veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery delicious!”
  13. “nice experience and I would definetely recommend art bar for small parties, or just a glass of wine on a cold Sunday afternoon.”
  14. “The people were great the drinks fantastic.”
  15. “We were not served for 20 minutes and when we requested drinks, the female bartender was completely rude and acted shocked about the concept of paying customers, wanting to enjoy themselves.”
  16. “It's a bar, it's somewhat busy, and of course they want to maximize their profit, but this level of rudeness is really unacceptable in any situation.”
  17. “like their nachos, but more than anything, I love sitting at the bar as I am never bored by the (usually funny) antics of whomever is bartending that night.”
  18. “The bartender makes excellent cocktails (her own concoctions).”
  19. “GREAT appetizers and food small and cozy and also local there drinks are ok but how can u mess up a drink.”
  20. “Only really really ridiculously good looking gentlemen would be smooth enough to bring a date to this charming bar with a hidden (sort of) ambience that is emblematic of what makes New York special.”
  21. “Specialty drinks are absolutely delicious at this artsy lounge, but expect smaller drinks at higher prices.”
  22. “This is a great neighbourhood bar.”
  23. “The Juke Box is good, the grub is above average for a bar!”
  24. “have never written a bad review for any bar, but my recent experience at Art Bar was ridiculous.”
  25. “am a regular at this bar and if you order drinks there is no problem, but if your not spending and people are WAITING for a table(as my friends and I were because you were holding space and not ordering)”
  26. “nice place to go drink.”
  27. “The drinks we had there were good, but strong.”
  28. “However, the back bar, with its low lighting and comfortable seating, is rather enchanting.”
  29. “The back room is extremely cozy with conversation-striking decor, but if you can't handle running a tab wth gratuity included, stay in the front and order at the bar.”
food quality
90.90999603271484% positive
  1. “Specialty drinks are absolutely delicious at this artsy lounge, but expect smaller drinks at higher prices.”
  2. “Art Bar has an extensive food menu and yummy seasonal drinks.”
  3. “The drinks are so-so, but the appetizers are veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeery delicious!”
  4. “Do you like cheap drinks, tasty food, and oh so SASSY bartenders?”
  5. “The food is quite good and very cheap as well.”
  6. “The service was quick and friendly, the food was good and we really liked the music selection.”
  7. “At those times, the food is passable-to-good and the service is friendly.”
  8. “GREAT appetizers and food small and cozy and also local there drinks are ok but how can u mess up a drink.”
  9. “The food is great, the music is good, and the lounge is relaxing.”
  10. “If you want to have a party where you can actually talk to the people there, have affordable drinks, and eat some good food, Art Bar is the spot.”
  11. “We weren't even around food - now THAT's dirty.”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “The service was quick and friendly, the food was good and we really liked the music selection.”
  2. “Art Bar has an extensive food menu and yummy seasonal drinks.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “This is a great place to go if you want to have a great time without pretension.”
  2. “nice place to go drink.”
return potential
100.0% positive
  1. “think the place is great and I always go back (like tonight).”
service
58.33000183105469% positive
  1. “The response from the unhappy, dumpy waitress: "It's okay if some of you don't order drinks, but this is a business, and we're *really* busy tonight, so you have to order *something”
  2. “The service at this place HORRIBLE (agree with other users of this opinion).”
  3. “If you want to have a party where you can actually talk to the people there, have affordable drinks, and eat some good food, Art Bar is the spot.”
  4. “The bartender makes excellent cocktails (her own concoctions).”
  5. “Hostile staff, dirty conditions, bad customer service - i don't know why anyone would go here.”
  6. “It can get pretty crowded on the weekend after 10, but it's easy to find a friendly spot before that.”
  7. “was embarrased to have subjected my friends to the most insanely bad service experience ever.”
  8. “Everyone I dealt with on the phone to make the reservation was incredibly friendly and accomodating.”
  9. “Later in the night, she refused to close our tab so I had to get the male bartender to give us our card to even get out of the worst staffed bar in the city.”
  10. “The waitresses are extremely pretentious, unclassy, and rude.”
  11. “Very chill, cool people, eclectic music and they have booths you can sit in all night”
  12. “The bartenders are friendly but table service in the back room can drag on busy nights.”
  13. “My friends and I left after our server made several rude comments about our group of 6 taking up too man chairs in her section (1 per person).”
  14. “This bar has some of the best prices in the city and a friendly cool staff.”
  15. “The service at the bar was adequate but the service in the back room was terrible.”
  16. “The Bartender is wonderful and creative (try the Jolly Rancher), the service is fast and friendly.”
  17. “One citysearch member complained that a staffer requested that people in is party order more than water.”
  18. “Do you like cheap drinks, tasty food, and oh so SASSY bartenders?”
  19. “had a small party in the crowded back room and I was amazed that our waitress maneged to not only give great service, but also undetstood the stress of keeping tables open for people coming in late, etc.”
  20. “Great staff.”
  21. “the extremely rude, snotty, and flaky servers will ruin your night.”
  22. “The lounge is cozy, but very smoky, and service is hard to come by.”
  23. “Great service.”
  24. “At those times, the food is passable-to-good and the service is friendly.”
  25. “The vibe is chill and the bartenders are cool and friendly.”
  26. “seasoned New Yorker might hold their own - but even they will find the service repellent.”
  27. “Great times, Great people”
  28. “Horrible service, rudest waitress ever, long wait”
  29. “The people were great the drinks fantastic.”
  30. “If you like incredibly rude service and overrated atmosphere, this is the place for you.”
  31. “The service was quick and friendly, the food was good and we really liked the music selection.”
  32. “few months ago, I had a bad experience with the service at Art Bar.”
  33. “am a regular at this bar and if you order drinks there is no problem, but if your not spending and people are WAITING for a table(as my friends and I were because you were holding space and not ordering)”
  34. “Never go to any bar to order a water and expect good service -period.”
  35. “She then told another rude waitress to hold on while she "dealt" with these people.”
  36. “We were not served for 20 minutes and when we requested drinks, the female bartender was completely rude and acted shocked about the concept of paying customers, wanting to enjoy themselves.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “If you want to have a party where you can actually talk to the people there, have affordable drinks, and eat some good food, Art Bar is the spot.”
  2. “Great drinks, decent prices (for Manhattan), Internet jukebox, great back room.”
  3. “This bar has some of the best prices in the city and a friendly cool staff.”
  4. “The food is quite good and very cheap as well.”
  5. “Do you like cheap drinks, tasty food, and oh so SASSY bartenders?”
  6. “Specialty drinks are absolutely delicious at this artsy lounge, but expect smaller drinks at higher prices.”
wait time
25.0% positive
  1. “We were not served for 20 minutes and when we requested drinks, the female bartender was completely rude and acted shocked about the concept of paying customers, wanting to enjoy themselves.”
  2. “Service gets slow as the night progresses, but they always try their best.”
  3. “The service was quick and friendly, the food was good and we really liked the music selection.”
  4. “Horrible service, rudest waitress ever, long wait”
4 Star Rating: Recommended

01/24/10

Cozy back room great for groups

by paperbackgirl

This is one of my go-to bars for happy hour or a low key early evening drink on the weekends. This place is conducive for settling back into the well-worn couch cushions and having a long conversation with a friend. The bartenders are friendly but table service in the back room can drag on busy nights. A good mix of West Village types.

Art Bar has an extensive food menu and yummy seasonal drinks. My favorite for winter is their gingerbread martini.

  • Pros: A working fireplace and broken in couches? Yes, please.
  • Cons: Table service can be slow.
4 Star Rating: Recommended

10/30/09

An East Village 80's dive bar in the West Village

by mattshaw0

I am not sure how to explain some of the negative reviews. The Bartender is wonderful and creative (try the Jolly Rancher), the service is fast and friendly. The food is a couple of steps above average bar food (try the popcorn shrimp and nachos grande). It is noisy and hard to talk but not impossible. The people are a very mixed lot from working class to students to ?. The music can be almost anything and usually is - but always excellent. The front is narrow and has tattered seat booths, while the back is larger. I have been going there for 10 years (work nearby) and enjoyed every visit. I have never noticed employee or patron to be snobbish or rude and I have lived in NYC since 1980. The bartender makes excellent cocktails (her own concoctions). It is usually decked out for holidays, very creative eye, esp. Halloween. I think the place is great and I always go back (like tonight). Enjoy.

  • Pros: Good Drinks, Atmosphere, Food, Service, People
  • Cons: I usually eat and drink too much - wait - is that a Con?
1 Star Rating: Poor

03/03/09

Moronic Manager - Can't plan an event to save their lives!

by emilys4588

Manager (Robyn) - couldn't understand the concept of asking for a minimum quote to rent the back room for a la cart drinks. Some of my friends drink soda, some drink scotch...I didn't want to do open bar per person. This girl could not understand typical event planning basics! She kept talking me in circles about how a la cart with minimum is not any different than doing open bar per person. Then after I told her a dozen times that it would all be under one tab in the back (a la cart) she asked me if it would be under one tab. This girl seriously is a bar manager?! She also didn't understand how having my guarenteed reservation is different than having regular customers. Duh, I would have guarenteed them $XXXX.00 dollars for three hours of boozing under one credit card in advance. Would not want her working for me - she can't do simple math. The owner just lost business b/c of her idiocracy.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/18/08

Hey! Are you pleasant, out going, polite, and tough. Do you like cheap drinks, tasty food, and oh so SASSY bartenders?

by TimmyPennywhistle

I'll tell you what! I always have a fun night at Art Bar... You cant be too sensitive, a cry baby, or snobby, If you are any of these things this bar just wont do...

I get a kick out of the people who work there!!! The bartender girls are fast, lovely, mix a mean cocktail, and are VERY SASSY!!!! So you better be able to take it ,and you better know how to tip right too, or watch out! Yowsa!!!! The Juke Box is good, the grub is above average for a bar! The atmosphere is warm and cozy...

Give this place a shot! If you're like me you will love it!

  • Pros: Great atmosphere, tasty food, fun Bartenders....
  • Cons: Dont be a wimp!
1 Star Rating: Poor

05/24/08

Rudest & Most Idiotic Staff Around

by LauraMarieNYC

Art Bar is terrible. It's a shame, because it has potential, but the people who work there totally ruin it. I've never encountered a ruder bunch of servers and bartenders in my life, and this is New York. I'm surprised that the staff doesn't connect with the fact that they're working for tips, and that the management lets them get away with this. My friends and I left after our server made several rude comments about our group of 6 taking up too man chairs in her section (1 per person). WTF? Bottom line... don't waste your time. There are plenty of other better places in the area.

The Details on Art Bar

Place Categories:

  • great place
  • great rude service
  • great tasty food
  • horrible customer service
  • great cheap drinks
  • nice back room
  • terrible art bar
  • friendly sassy bartenders
  • great people
  • rude waitresses
  • great atmosphere
  • favorite neighborhood bar
  • great cool staff
  • snotty servers
  • nice experience
  • bad service experience
  • like nachos
  • great appetizers
  • decent prices
  • romantic backroom
  • comfortable velvet seating
  • very warm time spot
  • strong drinks
  • incredibly friendly everyone
  • invariably bad art
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