Pubby yet loungey--not an identity crisis, but a bar with two sides, both nice.
(212) 375-0297
232 E 9th St
(Between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue)
New York,
NY
10003
40.729671
-73.988376
Neighborhoods: Downtown, East Village
Reviews & Ratings for Solas
31 reviews
What users are saying:
Great place to bring a party
by colorful1
One of those reviews you don't really want to write because you don't want a different crowd showing up at a place you really liked. I brought a group of about 10 people here last Saturday and had an awesome time. I had called well in advance and the manager was cool and reserved a table for us. Everyone was very comfortable -- the music was good, the bartenders were busy but very nice and worked FAST. Despite a full house we never waited more than a couple of minutes to get drinks... much better than most places. There was plenty of room to dance and to hang out: full, but definitely not elbow to elbow. We liked that there are other rooms but stayed nearby our table; we'll have to come back a different night to explore further. Overall it was a fun vibe -- not chaotic and not uptight.
Everyone had a great time and we closed the place. The only complaint we had was that sometimes they'd play a great song for maybe 45 seconds and then switch. Mostly we liked the music though; not enough to keep it from getting 5 stars.
- Pros: Plenty of people yet plenty of space
- Cons: Music medleys
Good Pint o Guinness
by NinthStreetNYCdotcom
They pour a good pint here, and the decor and feel is a bit different from a standard Irish pub. Solas sets itself apart. The upstairs space is cozy, with texture and small tables. Downstairs is the full bar. The service is pretty friendly, and the vibe is a bit younger than some other Irish bars in the hood.
Great Birthday spot
by eml12345
I wanted to have a bunch of my friends go out for my birthday, and I know I usually have fun at Solas. I spoke to the managers at Solas, and they really took care of us. They kept our tables like they said they would and they kept coming back to make sure we all had enough drinks. It's great that they have different areas with different stuff going on within the bar. The place started emptying out a little around 2:30, but it was a freezing January Saturday night.
spacious and fun
by MickLaz2
Though it gets crowded on weekends it's a big place and the bartenders are all pretty awesome dudes. Wish there were more ladies working there...saw a gorgeous brunette once when I went in but she either just started or was learning there...and haven't seen her since. too bad...she was nice too!
They always play great music and will even take a request if you're nice. The only thing that's bad is it gets hard to here when it's very but all in all, a friendly and fun environment.
- Pros: good staff
- Cons: a bit crowded on weekends
Great Music, Great Staff, Great Venue for a Party
by cali_bwoy
Celebrated a birthday here in the upstairs lounge. It was spacious and worked out great. The staff were all friendly and helpful. Drinks were reasonably priced. The DJ was spinning some good music - very eclectic - a little bit of everything.
I would definitely have a party here again or just go to hang out and have a drink while listening to some great music.
- Pros: Great music, reasonably priced drinks, and helpful/friendly bartenders and cocktail waitresses
- Cons: ??
Great service
by dre2008
We used the private room upstairs - great for a group or a private party. The staff were really helpful and we'd definitely go back. A good experience, overall!
Thanks Solas!
by citychic06
I just had my party here Saturday night and it went off without a hitch. The manager, Kevin, was so nice and helped me thru the whole planning process. When I got there, the staff was very accomodating and they hooked me up with my own section for my guests. The music was bumpin' and everybody had a good time. After previous years of bad bday party experiences, Solas was able to give me a great bday.
- Pros: music, service, location
- Cons: it can get too crowded at times
Must go Fridays and Saturdays!
by maddypatty
I've found this place to be a friendly environment, good service and awesome staff. Especially the nice and handsome bouncer (Julio) at the front, he is so dreamy, I love going just to see him and have pleasant conversations with him. Me and friends are in competiton with him, we make plans every week just to see who can get his number, I dont understand why they have that ugly big nose bouncer (Fouad) working with this fine handsome dominican, I would go any day just to see this one handsome and intriguing bouncer, and I would recommend it to the girls but you will be in competition!
- Pros: Handsome Julio
- Cons: Ugly Fouad
Rude staff kills the buzz
by glactic
I was with a group of 12 friends last night and they wanted to go to a fun bar. I said, "let's go to Solas," having had a good time there before.
Well, we turned out to be half of their customers on a Friday night and despite our increasing their business, they were continually rude to us. We wanted to go into the bar, and the doormen kept wanting us to go into the dancing room. It was a totally awkward moment with bouncers shuffling us around at the door. I mean, honestly, let us walk in and buy your alcohol!
Then, later that night, my friend and I went over to the bar. It had a couple empty glasses sitting out on it so my friend stacks the glasses and moves them to an area that's easier for the bartender to reach. Now, I would consider this a nice thing to do so that the bartender, who was lazily sitting on the counter behind the bar, didn't have to walk around the bar and clear the glasses. But instead, as we lean on the bar, watching our friends dance, the manager walks over and says to him "Don't touch the glasses. Don't break them." My friend points the glasses and says, "They aren't broken. I was just moving them." The manager again says, "Just don't touch them." My friend says, "Ok man, sorry." Then the manager says to both of us, "In fact, don't stand here. Stand somewhere else." I jump in, having done nothing, and say "Whoa, what's the problem. He apologized and obviously wasn't trying to do anything wrong. Why can't we stand here?" The manager just says, "just go stand someplace else. You're blocking the view." WHAT VIEW? Of the bar?
Dear Manager,
- Don't take a nothing situation and turn it into something. Management is not supposed to escalate problems, not to mention CREATE them!
- I brought a party of 12 people to your bar that had NO business that night. Guess what, in the future, I won't bring them. Keep acting like a moron and people will continue to not return to your bar.
Better Bars: Bua, Niagara, Odessa, Asian Pub
- Pros: Multiple rooms, upstairs
- Cons: Bouncers, Management, Bartenders, sometimes very empty
Best Birthday Party
by khari29
My friend and I had our 30th bday party there. We had a blast. They were so accomodating! Melvin and Julio (the bouncers) were great. They were so friendly. I would recommended this place to anyone that wants to have a party/ They reserved a room for us with no charge. I had a blast! Thank you Solas!







Join Us on Facebook
Follow Us on Twitter