09/12/09

Friendly Neighborhood Bar.

by Liz Heller

I just moved to Greenwich Village, this summer. Bleecker Street to be more specific. Upon helping me move into my apartment, my father who went to college at NYU, went searching for his old stomping grounds. All he could find was the RED LION, to which I met up with him for drinks. My father actually met a singer there who he had known over 20 years ago. That was the first time I ever sat and had a drink with my father in a bar and it will always be our spot now. :) The music is a little loud at night. The food is pub food. But George the bartender is a really honest to goodness NYC bartender. I don't know what my father told him, but everytime I walk in there he yells over the bar, "Hey, It's Charlie's kid!" (My father's name is Charlie.)

• Pros: Right down the block from me.
• Cons: The music is too loud to have a real conversation

08/03/09

I Am In A Shock Shower!!

by frankiebgoode

I have never ever walked into a bar ever in this whole country and heard Chris Mars playing!!!!! And when I told the bartender he shook his head like he was cool as a tray of ice cubes and told me he done all the music hisself and that Chris Mars was God. Like no Biggie. I told him I just wanted to use the can. (I don't drink no more. Sorry folks.) And he told me take my time: 'This is the longest song Mars ever wrote.')

And you don't even know who Chris Mars is!

• Pros: Best IPOD Music in This City Ever!!!!

05/02/09

Like Cheers with Live Music

by smallsal

My first trip to NYC, on a drunken hiatus from reality I started drinking in the Red Lion at 5 in the afternoon and did not leave until the lights went on the next day. I wish that sober Sally would have left drunk Sally a note that said mind your purse, glasses and cell phone. When I woke up the next day and realize everything was gone I thought I left it in the cab. But when I went back the next day, George had everything of mine safe behind the bar. And so began my second visitation at the Red Lion. I can't remember the other bartender's name - sorry! But they both really looked out for me, listened to my drunk whining and kept me from jumping off the Brooklyn Bridge. Try Heaven's Jamaican Rum Kick. But like George warned me rum kicks are like boobies - one is not enough, three is too many.

• Pros: Live Music until 4 in the morning, George behind the bar

02/21/09

Great For Blind Dates! Thaaaank you!

by latnluvlee

I've just back into dating pool recently and started internet dating. I was actually supposed to meet my date at the Lion's Den, but walked into the Red Lion by mistake. It was my date's choice. ANd after he was informed that there is no more Lion's Den, he came and met me at the Red Lion. I was didn't know what to expect but the two bartenders George and Brian behind the bar totally put me at ease. I was introduced to several of the regulars and was told: You are Not Alone. My date showed up and though there wasn't any sparks, let's just call him Mr. Mister (inside joke, right back at ya!) - I found my new home base for meeting with internet daters. It's nice to meet up for drinks but I wouldn't want to have a first date meal there at the bar like I did. At least try and woo me. The music is a little loud but entertaining. People are really friendly. It's the one good thing that came out of my date with Mr. Mister.

• Cons: Music can be loud

01/18/09

Great Pub!

by TejasKate

The Red Lion is a great place to spend a casual afternoon or evening with friends. With sports in the day and live music at night, I'm also comfortable going alone. The bar staff is friendly and efficient. George, Joe and the other staff members create a great local pub feel - which is no small feat in this city. I don't hesistate to drag my oldest friends, my newest colleagues and everyone in between to this pub.

• Pros: Local pub feel, friendly service
• Cons: Can get really crowded on Friday and Saturday nights

01/17/09

You Made Me Feel like Home

by TexasWildflower

It's been 8 months since I moved to L.A. Last weekend I went back to New York for a visit. I went to NYU and lived in the East Village for ten years. Of course I went to all my usual haunts, but the one that made me feel most at home was the Red Lion. Totally unpretentious,great energy, and a good mix of people. The bartenders were perfect- New York charm, attentive, remained cool under a demanding Friday night crowd. My girlfriends and I sat at the bar and were drinking tequila and beers. Rather, downing quite a few, but between the bartenders, the British soccer players, and some great music, it remained the evening that I am remembering the most. Missing my Manhattan. Thank you Ann, George, and all you there last week that made 10 degrees feel warmer than it ever has.

01/03/09

Superb Friendly Bar!

by DavidUK

3 of us from the UK spent 2 nights in NYC, with no prior knowledge we asked the taxi driver to take us to some bars, we ended up here. Unfortunately we had booked elsewhere for the day after (New Years). What a place! Grabbed a table and received excellent service - the second our drinks became empty they were filled again. Thank you excellent barmaid! Several hours later it came time to pay the tab.......and what value! Elsewhere we could have expected to at least double the tab!

What followed was an exceptional evening of dancing which continued until 0330, and we loved every minute of it! Anywhere else I have been in the world I have never been made to feel more welcome by the general public, this really is the place to go! Thank you very much staff, and customers on 12/30 for making our holiday!

• Pros: Excellent service, good dancing, friendly customers, welcoming!
• Cons: I'm not still there!!!!

12/18/08

Great venue. Great music. Great dancing. Terrible Wednesday male bartender.

by NewYorker1981

I've been attending Red Lion bands off and on since '97. We attended December 17th (2008), Wednesday for the live jazz. Awesome! On your feet sax, drums, trumpet dancing! Wednesday evening shift male bartender was cold, moody, snappy, rude, and extremely arrogant. This coming from a former bartender, in the Village, of the female variety. Politely asked him for water, we had to several times, to which he is one of those bartenders who gives us no recognition, look, or reply out of his personal 'nose in the air' work ethic. Plus, he snapped at us to "f*cking wait." We were shocked. Top shelf scotch. Several rounds of beer. Opened a large tab, and he made it openly certain to several customers--he wasn't happy to be there--patrons annoyed him thoroughly--female bartender was great--but since we made the mistake of opening the tab with him, he was the only downside of the night. Such an awesome bar. Very disappointed with his service and basic demeanor towards people.

• Pros: Great atmosphere. $6 Tap. Food menu.
• Cons: Wednesday evening shift bartender.

11/10/08

Great Place!

by Straks

really good cover bands if you are into live music. In the village so if you wanted to go somewhere else there are hundreds of places. The drinks are not that expensive and the bar atmosphere is great. I have been there a lot over my tenure as a New Yorker and I highly recommend for a good time....late nights there rock

• Pros: awesome music
• Cons: packed at times

07/19/08

I luv this place!!!

by michellemele

I've been meaning to do this for three months now. I never even leave these reviews my friend Rachel always does. But - every year the four of us that still ain't married yet take a room at the Ritz Carlton downtown in Battery Park and we see the city like we are tourist and we always crash the Red Lion. We went their 1st because Dawn was dating a drummer in a band that played there and now it is part of our city tour. They are always open! It's live music every night. But this week we was there I seen John Mayer, Katie Couric and the guy from the Weird Science movies all in the same week. Annie and George are the best! They remember us each and every time we come into town. The doorguy is Supercool. Ask for the rum-punch.