(212) 579-3100

503 Columbus Ave (nr. 84th St.)
New York, NY 10024 40.7853 -73.9729

Get Map & Directions »

Neighborhoods: Upper West Side, Midtown

PROHIBITION.NET

Hours:

Daily 5pm-2am

Last updated 8.12.11

Category:

Restaurants, Bars & Pubs, Neighborhood Bars, Singles Bars, Billiards Bars

Payment Methods:

American Express, Visa, Discover, MasterCard

Bar & Club Type of Music:

Jazz

Bar & Club Special Features:

Outdoor Seating, Live Music

Smoking Permitted:

No

Editor's Tips

What People Are Saying About Prohibition

Featured Review

Contributor

Contributor

The Scene – This dimly lit Upper West Side watering hole dresses up in 1920s speakeasy-style. Exposed brick walls, wooden booths and an attentive black-clad waitstaff--perpetually on the ready to refill a glass--give the spacious saloon class, but two sports-tuned TVs above the bar and a pool table keep it common. An air of Old-World romance is also palpable--it's quiet enough for a first date, but loud enough that there's something to talk about. – – The Draw – Running contrary to its name, the bar's drink menu brims with alcoholic treats--and every night the…

Editor's Tips

Save Money:
Frozen margaritas and cosmopolitans are half-price during the 5pm to 7pm weekday happy hour.
When to Go:
Live music (ranging from jazz to blues to hip-hop) is performed here nightly, but it's muted enough that you can still hold a conversation.
ambiance
77.77999877929688% positive
  1. “Not saying old people can't have fun but man this place was ridiculous.”
  2. “The decor is fun but the place was packed.”
  3. “Turns out, the band was really great, the crowd was fun, the owner was so nice and social and one drink turned into several.”
  4. “cool decor, fancy drinks without paying $13 each for them.”
  5. “The people here are cool and the atmosphere is down lo' easy.”
  6. “The atmosphere was absolutely amazing as well.”
  7. “I'd been to Prohibition in the past and the atmosphere is great and one of the few places on the UWS to see music.”
  8. “Eventhough waking up for work the next morning was not fun, the causal Wednesday night turned out to be a blast!”
  9. “had a great time and the doorman is fun and friendly.”
drinks
100.0% positive
  1. “It has a good vibe, drinks weren't really expensive, and the people were cool.”
  2. “cool decor, fancy drinks without paying $13 each for them.”
  3. “The food was excellent and so were the drinks.”
  4. “The women were unreal and the drinks were very reasonable.”
  5. “cool name, hip crowd, reasonable drink prices, and live music”
  6. “Fun bar, good music”
  7. “would definitely hang out here again, I'd just order a drink that's easier to make.”
  8. “Turns out, the band was really great, the crowd was fun, the owner was so nice and social and one drink turned into several.”
  9. “The staff was great and I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to let their hair down, get some drinks and sing along with the band,”
  10. “love this bar!”
  11. “One of the last places that offer great drinks, good apps and terrific FREE (yes, I said FREE) music nightly.”
food quality
100.0% positive
  1. “The food was excellent and so were the drinks.”
  2. “As if 15 tables are going to walk in and order food at 11.30!”
  3. “Great food, pool table, etc.”
overall
100.0% positive
  1. “The staff was great and I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to let their hair down, get some drinks and sing along with the band,”
  2. “friends/date/whoever. great place for hang out with a group of friends when you want to be a bit more civilized.”
service
77.77999877929688% positive
  1. “But our waitress was great and on top of everything.”
  2. “On the other hand, if you are 27+ and enjoy dancing to old school rock with other people, then I personally think you would enjoy this place.”
  3. “had a great time and the doorman is fun and friendly.”
  4. “While the band was on, it was really packed, but after the show they had a dj who was great and a good number of people left when the band got off the stage so you could actually dance.”
  5. “The people here are cool and the atmosphere is down lo' easy.”
  6. “The staff was great and I would recommend this place to anyone who wants to let their hair down, get some drinks and sing along with the band,”
  7. “It has a good vibe, drinks weren't really expensive, and the people were cool.”
  8. “Not saying old people can't have fun but man this place was ridiculous.”
  9. “Second, I'm a young guy but the place was full of alot and I mean alot of "older" people.”
value
100.0% positive
  1. “cool name, hip crowd, reasonable drink prices, and live music”
  2. “It has a good vibe, drinks weren't really expensive, and the people were cool.”
wait time
100.0% positive
  1. “The band was awesome - so awesome that we ended up going there for new year's eve and loving every minute of it.”
1 Star Rating: Poor

11/26/11

Awful

by newsgroupjen

I've lived on the Upper West Side for many years but have never experienced the awfulnesss of Prohibition. The busboy kept touching me inappropriately and when I complained I was yelled at. The "manager" who yelled at me cursed at me and was as equally as inappropriate as his staff. There are so many options on the UWS, avoid Prohibition and find another place!!!!

1 Star Rating: Poor

11/26/11

HORRIBLE

by vsievers

THIS BAR IS TERRIBLE. HORRIBLE COVER BANDS. HORRIBLE SERVICE. BAD CROWD! NEVER go here... you will be very dissapointed

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

06/25/08

Good scene

by angenyc

I usually don't hang out onthe upper west side, but i would go back to this bar.

It has a good vibe, drinks weren't really expensive, and the people were cool.

I would go back.

  • Pros: good vibe
3 Star Rating: Average

04/13/08

Place was not my thing

by dominicanops

I went here with a friend since he told me the place was awesome. First thing, its overcrowded. When we got there we were stuck for about 2 minutes and could not move, it was pretty crazy. Second, I'm a young guy but the place was full of alot and I mean alot of "older" people. I saw dudes with full blown gray hair all over the place. Not saying old people can't have fun but man this place was ridiculous. The music was all eighties rock and I didn't enjoy it (they only played one rap song throughout the whole night). My biggest gripe with this place was the crowd.....WASP central, I was the only minority there (well, there was 1 asian chick) and felt extremely out of place, it was incredibly obvious. I can picture this place being appealing to older white people, but for a young minority it just wasn't cool. If you are below 25, minority and don't like 80's rock, then avoid at all costs, you will not enjoy yourself there. On the other hand, if you are 27+ and enjoy dancing to old school rock with other people, then I personally think you would enjoy this place. For me, it just wasn't diverse enough based on what my friend told me.

5 Star Rating: Highly Recommended

03/20/08

Cool Spot

by olpal

I went here last weekend with my friends and had the best time! it was one of my friends bday's and we were very happy with this place. The women were unreal and the drinks were very reasonable. The atmosphere was absolutely amazing as well. We're definitely going back very soon!

The Details on Prohibition

Place Categories:

  • ridiculous place
  • cool fancy drinks
  • great food
  • nice owner
  • not quite as good dirty martinis
  • really great band
  • fun doorman
  • cool people
  • fun crowd
  • fun decor
  • great atmosphere
  • weird kitchen
  • great staff
  • great dj
  • big party
  • nice escape
  • love bar
  • not like rock
  • good vibe
  • reasonable drink prices
  • not bad spot
  • not fun eventhough
  • good live music
  • best uws
  • really good hangout
Advertisement

Featured In

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