01/04/08

Unfortunate/Strange Experience

by judydemarco

My boyfriend and I have been coming here for years. Last night, we came here for a friend's birthday with a group of people. One of my girlfriends ordered a drink from the bartender and he berated her for checking her cell phone. She was just checking to see if someone had called her, and explained this to him, but he still went off on her. I still can't comprehend it...it was out of nowhere and the rudest thing I'd ever seen from a bartender. Like he just felt he could because he'd worked there for so long. It was so uncomfortable, and so unnecessary. This wasn't an old-school NYC attitude from a genuine New Yorker. This was just flat out arrogance from someone who, for years, had served us. It was really disheartening and unfortunately we won't be back.

• Pros: Great bar, great crowd, good location.
• Cons: Service.

12/24/06

Great bartenders, great place to have a beer

by asparagusschwartz

Nicest bartenders around, guinness tap, PBR cans, snack mix, cats running around, films on the big screen...a breath of fresh air in manhattan. Sometimes can fill up with knuckleheads, but have some beers and take off when it gets crowded.

• Pros: good vibe, beers, service, snack mix
• Cons: fills up sometimes

08/04/06

Splendor in the afternoon, a raucous party late night.

by Contributor

The Scene
Newcomers wonder about the function of the extensive collection of vintage bar crockery serving as focal point of the bar's decor. The Tom & Jerry, from which 288 derives its nickname, is a warm brown liquor and egg-based Damon Runyon-era cocktail, served but one day around the Yuletide, in bowls and cups such as the ones displayed with obvious pride. Now that you're in the know, walk in and act like you own the place.

The Draw
Rizzo, the resident feline, is undoubtedly the master of the joint. You'll have to deal with her dipping a curious nose in your drink, but on a lazy afternoon, who cares? At night, the space crowds up quickly with the baseball-cap crowd, but a relaxed 4pm tipple at the long, warm wooden bar often proves to be nothing short of nirvana.

07/26/04

Good local scene

by bargoer212

I think this place is also called Tom and Jerry's. The artwork is cool and its worth stopping by to what's its changed to, but that's about the whole decor unless you like punch bowls used for "Tom & Jerry's" aka egg nog from what I have heard. As you can see I have spent a lot of time there and its a great place to tie one on early...

03/29/04

Not Bad

by sallyann278

The bartenders here are awesome, the best I've met anywhere. The jukebox is a decent mix of favorites and variety. The crowd, although still better than most, has become more trendy than it used to be. It's certainly the kind of place to become a regular.

• Pros: Bartenders, Jukebox

07/10/03

Best Bartenders

by emb1365

Bartenders here are great - the nicest I've seen in NYC... the first time I was there, I was treated like a regular - it was great....

• Pros: Great Bartenders

05/24/03

LONG BAR, GOOD JUKE BOX

by ntristan77

this place is cool, crowd can be kinda lame but good place to get a pint and chill. bar is long and they have NBA hoops on the TV which is cool. good juke box, long bar, never wait in line, easy to get bar stool, bar tenders have no attitude, another +. good place if you have a crew and want a table. usually not crowded, location is good. good place to start night on bar crawls. AC cranks in the summer. funky art displays in back cool too. Whats the deal with all the Tom and Jerry stuff? Good place to get a guiness or black and tan.

• Pros: Long Bar, Good Service, Good Guiness
• Cons: Crowd can be lamo

02/04/03

Neighborhood Bliss...

by snivel6

Although Nolita and the surrounding area have somewhat succumbed to "the trendy", this bar is anything but (including its patrons). You can go any night of the week and always find fun, down-to-earth people, a relaxed atmosphere, and jovial bartenders. They never skimp on the drinks, either. Another plus is the art...a variety of interesting installations that rotate regularly (one of my favorites included multitudes of hanging birdcages enveloping the entire bar). Also of note--GREAT jukebox.

• Pros: no attitude, inexpensive drinks, down-to-earth people
• Cons: it can get crowded