Russian Vodka Room

(212) 307-5835

265 W 52nd St (nr. Broadway)
New York, NY 10019 40.7633 -73.9844

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Neighborhoods: Theater District - Times Square, Midtown

russianvodkaroom.com/

Hours:

Sun-Mon, 4pm-1am

Tue-Thu, 4pm-2am

Fri-Sat, 4pm-3am

Last updated 8.16.11

Category:

Restaurants, Piano Bars, Bars & Clubs, Singles Bars, Bars & Pubs

Payment Methods:

American Express, Discover, Visa, MasterCard

Bar & Pub Special Features:

Martinis

Cuisine:

Russian

Bar & Club Special Features:

Specialty Cocktails, After Work

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Russian Vodka Room

Featured Review

Karen Hudes

Contributor

In knowing Soviet fashion, the canopy outside reads "Attitude Adjustment Hour." The dim, dark-toned interior features a piano player, a few front banquettes, a separate dining room and an arc of a bar where after-work folks and Eastern emigres kick back. It may take you a few minutes to notice there are no windows; that's just the way the Russians like it. If the image of the former USSR as a culture of melancholy and longing holds some sort of visceral appeal, this may be the spot for you. It doesn't really rage, and it's certainly easy to mind your own business, but the intimate bar and the…

Editor's Tips

Know Before You Go:
It's OK to come hungry. You can snack on dishes like gravlax with potato pancakes or a bowl of borscht.The apple blintz with vanilla ice cream is particularly delectable; or, if you're feeling rich, go for the caviar.
What to Drink:
In addition to hard-to-find Russian and Polish vodkas, the bar stocks an ultra-smooth New York variety called Peconika.
Know Before You Go:
It's OK to come hungry. You can snack on dishes like gravlax with potato pancakes or a bowl of borscht. The apple blintz with vanilla ice cream is particularly delectable; or, if you're feeling rich, go for the caviar.
What to Drink:
The bar stocks hard-to-find Russian and Polish vodkas, all worth a "shot."
ambiance
100.0% positive
  1. “(Pravda retains its claim to the best martinis in NY) Despite its location, the Russian Vodka Room is surprisingly inexpensive.”
  2. “Cool place, just a touch of seediness adds to the eastern-block atmosphere.”
  3. “However, the food and the atmosphere are so nice that you hardly notice.”
drinks
75.0% positive
  1. “would also recommend getting their appetizers as well, which are surprisingly really good bar food with your vodka (i.e. smoked meats platter, cabbage in a phyllo-dough pastry).”
  2. “My feeling is that this place is not good for food anymore, only for a few drinks.”
  3. “The drinks are reasonable and very strong and the crowd is nice and unpretentious, although any crowd seems fine after one of these drinks.”
  4. “great place to have a drink and listen to some great live piano.”
food quality
74.07000064849854% positive
  1. “There are plenty of excellent, authentic Russian dishes, as well as a few clichés.”
  2. “However, the food and the atmosphere are so nice that you hardly notice.”
  3. “My crawfish in garlic sauce were excellent.”
  4. “There are a multitude of flavored vodkas which are piquant and tasty.”
  5. “would also recommend getting their appetizers as well, which are surprisingly really good bar food with your vodka (i.e. smoked meats platter, cabbage in a phyllo-dough pastry).”
  6. “My feeling is that this place is not good for food anymore, only for a few drinks.”
  7. “Real Russian food, appetizers are especially good (pickled vegetables, smoked fish, cold meats).”
  8. “The service is also authentic, in that the staff is just as inattentive as they would be in Russia.”
  9. “Bad cheese plate, bad pickled mushrooms, crowded, overpriced”
menu variety
100.0% positive
  1. “great place to stop after work to enjoy a variety of International and home made vodkas.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “The Russian Vodka Room is a great place to go for infused-vodka in NY.”
  2. “great place to stop after work to enjoy a variety of International and home made vodkas.”
  3. “It's a great place for a big group.”
  4. “great place to have a drink and listen to some great live piano.”
service
50.0% positive
  1. “This place used to get most things right, now it fell victim to bad recipes and below average service.”
  2. “The service is also authentic, in that the staff is just as inattentive as they would be in Russia.”
value
50.0% positive
  1. “Bad cheese plate, bad pickled mushrooms, crowded, overpriced”
  2. “(Pravda retains its claim to the best martinis in NY) Despite its location, the Russian Vodka Room is surprisingly inexpensive.”
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/24/06

always fun

by trainakr

Great ambiance. The homemade infused vodka is always good. Don't ask for a mixer though, they will mock you!

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

11/20/06

really good vodka

by mberson27

do you like vodka? well you're in for a treat! RVR's specialty infused vodkas are the real deal. make sure to pace yourself, though! american style shot slamming can get you in trouble, and by that i mean very drunk very fast!

  • Pros: vodka
5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

08/12/06

Fun & different

by b102198

All's I know is that whenever I go here I walk in completely sober and walk out barely knowing my name....they know their vodka, that's for sure!

  • Pros: Amazing selection of Vodkas
2 Star Rating: Below Average

07/25/06

Bad cheese plate, bad pickled mushrooms, crowded, overpriced

by mohctep

My feeling is that this place is not good for food anymore, only for a few drinks. I am Russian and I am deeply hurt by them putting vinegar in pickled mushrooms (this dish used to be delicious and crunchy). They are supposed to be in salt and spices not in vinegar! Oh well. This place used to get most things right, now it fell victim to bad recipes and below average service. Still crowded though.

  • Pros: Central Location
  • Cons: Cheesae plate, service, snacks.
4 Star Rating: Recommended

06/09/06

Great Selection!

by foodtalker

This place is a cozy little where-everybody-knows-your-name kind of place. There's live music. There's caviar and blinis. There are a multitude of flavored vodkas which are piquant and tasty...and will knock your socks off. And the martinis are to die for. Try the lychee cocktail..made with Lichido liqueur and pineapple juice. Mmmmm...I'll be back.

The Details on Russian Vodka Room

Place Categories:

  • great place
  • good homemade vodka
  • nice crowd
  • really good martinis
  • surprisingly really good bar food
  • very strong drinks
  • authentic russian dishes
  • bad recipes
  • especially good real russian food
  • authentic service
  • nice atmosphere
  • great live piano
  • excellent crawfish
  • bad cheese plate
  • especially good appetizers
  • bad pickled mushrooms
  • love russian vodka room
  • order carafes
  • big group
  • cold meats
  • favorite cranberry
  • enjoy variety
  • always good homemade infused vodka
  • piquant multitude

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