A quintessential Lower East Side hipster hangout that's been around since before the neighborhood was cool.

by Contributor

One of the earliest settlers in the neighborhood's now white-hot scene, this funky spot continues to be a favorite hangout for downtown musicians, artists and dive bar aficionados. They keep coming for the pool table, vintage videogames, stellar jukebox, cheap drinks and fashionable scene. On weekends, the tight space seems even smaller as bar-hopping hipster crowds stream in from Ludlow Street, but the old neighborhood vibe settles back into place during the weekdays.

04/22/08

A different place

by callahannnn

I like this bar - all the reviews are true though. The bartender can be rude, and mixed drinks are not their specialty (you'll either get ALL booze or NO booze). There are also some regulars who are extremely protective of the bartender (whatever you do, don't call him Dave Grohl!). However, if you want to hang out and have a beer with your friends or play pool, this is the place. There is no dancing, there is always at least one fight, and there are always a ton of people who moved to New York last week - at any rate this all makes for good conversation. Also, hipster chicks love this place and basically come here to get picked up; I've never gone home alone if I put in a little effort. Beware of, avoid, or embrace the same pseudo-intellectuals you'll find anywhere else in this part of town, and you should have a good time.

• Pros: Good overall crowd, good music, pool, cheap drinks, good location
• Cons: Regulars, tourists, hipsters

10/31/06

local hipsters hang here

by binman69

i like this place for the pool table and classic pinball machines. the bar is nothing great, but they attract local neighborhood people to mingle with

08/25/03

Dead Fish

by jbruiz

The service was poor and the bartender rude. Anyone can serve beer, mixed drinks thats another story. The bartender refuse to fix the mistakes he made because he knew will never be back to that bar again. Nice job!

• Pros: Crowded, Bright
• Cons: Service, Staff, Atmosphere

05/24/03

COOL SPOT, SMALL BAR

by ntristan77

This place is cool as hell, but come early. by midnight this place is so jammed with LES "chillers" that you cant get to the bar. More room in back which makes it cool. Come with friends snag a seat and you will have a good time. arrive late and you are squeezed to death from all angles by smelly sloppily dressed confused dorks wearing mesh hats who get bills paid by daddy. Worth a visit, respectable dive.

• Pros: FUNKY PEOPLE, BATHROOMS BIG, FUNKY MUSIC
• Cons: SMALL BAR, GOOFY PEOPLE

04/21/03

Psychedelic

by qasar3

Fun bar to hang out at...be sure not to drink too much, as the walls will start to move on you in the back of the bar......the configuration sucks becuase people block the way to the back, by standing at the bar. So going outside for a smoke can take quite awhile...i did say outside..right?

03/04/03

I must say...

by petitemuffin

Max Fisch had an intellectual, sexy, bisexual crowd the first time I visited ...perhaps beginner's luck since I just moved to the city. Since then, I've been twice and the people were less daring, less bohemian or simply put: less interesting. I have yet to see someone dancing in this bar, but the pool table seems to be quite popular. Max Fisch is hit or miss on weekends, but a good bet on weekdays.

• Pros: Hip, Sexy, Low Key
• Cons: Lame, Superficial, Pool Psychos

01/31/03

Consistent Vibe!

by 34_yugre

I've gone to Max Fish occasionally - but regularly - for about 10 years. It hasn't changed - even most of the bartenders are the same. Great, friendly place - most of the people I became friends with in NY I met here. No attitude from the staff. Only drawback is that it gets SO crowded sometimes - and smoky - especially on weekends - but who goes out on weekends? And as for the brightness - I think it's good to see who you're talking to. There will be no cases of strobelight honies!

• Pros: Consistent, Great service, Good Vibe
• Cons: Crowded, Smoky

08/08/02

max poo

by willisdrummond

too bright and too crowded, plus it takes a year and a half to get a drink. some hot girls make it tolerable though.