10/07/09

Everything is wrongo at Bongo

by liljers

Do not come here. Period. If you want a waitress that will ask you your drink order, not write it down, come back, ask again, disappear for 20 minutes, come back sans drink...then ask AGAIN what you ordered, then by all means you will LOVE this place!! Not only did she do that with our drink orders (there were 5 of us total & 1 other party in the room)- but she did it with our food as well. After complaining, the waitress literally screamed at my friend while we were trying to pay & stormed off like an 8 year old so we had to then get the manager. Although he agreed that she was beyond painful & completely understood our disgust, he wasn't helpful at all. We all work in events/pr/marketing & I can honestly say that I was shocked that the manager didn't comp so much as a round of drinks. I will never be back & I have told clients & friends not to bother. I am sure this place will last about as long as an unlocked Bentley in the South Bronx. If you want a good lurbster roll, hit up the Chelsea Market. BOOM.

• Pros: leaving
• Cons: everything

A lounge cum seafood eatery in Chelsea.

by Melanie Berliet

Dine on fresh oysters while sipping a specialty cocktail surrounded by modern decor.

11/23/08

Don't Bother Unless You Want Horrible Service/ Negative Energy

by RNYC08

Horrible Service

Horrible Staff- They're downright rude. I experienced a negative vibe the moment I walked in. The staff makes you feel as if you've walked into their living room without an invite. A passive agressive vibe from a place that truly overstates it's importance.

Overpriced. Steer clear.

• Pros: None. Nothing Postive To Say. The twenty minutes I spent their were unpleasant
• Cons: Horrible Service.

09/06/07

Winning Conbinationof food, drinks and decor

by latenightgal

Bongo always is a winning combination of lobster rolls, oysters and beautiful cocktails. It's a great late night place for a bite to eat. But get there early becuase sometimes the Lobster Rolls are 86'ed. You don't want to miss out on that. The oyters are fresh and there always a great selection. I'm into champage and the are always a selection to choose from by the glass. The oyster shooter is fab. Most importantly it's cool and the modern decor is authentic!!!

• Pros: Adult,Great Music, Wonderful Food, Mid-Century Decor
• Cons: None

07/10/06

The swinging bachelor pad your dad never had.

by Contributor

In Short
This hip hangout--complete with 1950s modern decor, a boomerang coffee table and bright bacteria-shaped ash trays--caters to an artsy, younger crowd whose spending priorities are cocktails and clothes. Its river-stone feature wall could have come right out of the Bradys' living room. House cocktails recall the '50s fashion for drinks that were sweet, tart and wildly strong. Also check out the bar's swish selection of oysters and caviar.

04/11/05

Amazing lobster rolls

by picky2

best lobster rolls in the city and great drinks. its a low key place. service has always been fine.

04/09/05

don't go here

by 97trojan

I recently attended a birthday party at bongo. My pal reserved the back room, and we were welcomed by a sweet hostess who happily directed us and took our orders.

After that, the evening went downhill.

The manager kept coming in to make sure that none of the guests were smoking. We were berated for ordering drinks "too quickly." (this happens when you have a group of ten, I think). I felt like I was in kindergarten. The drinks were great, but the service was so awful, I'd stick to my other favorites.

• Cons: Service

03/05/05

Awful experience

by jbhubbs3

I brought a bunch of friends to Bongo recently on a Friday nighht andyou would have thought I brought the plague in. The entire staff was surly and basically unhappy that we were there (bringing them business by the way) The back room was small and they guarded entrrance to it like it was the Crown jewels. I understand fire codes, etc but there is a polite way to welcome YOUR patrons to YOUR establishment and there is a wrong way and the staff here definitely has the latter down pat.

• Cons: Unfriendly staff, Small

08/24/04

Fun Party Space

by tanja3

I went here for a birthday party of one of my best friends. We all had a great time, the atmosphere and martinis are terrific. Love the selection of mini martinis, you can sample more for less $. The oysters were ok, we were disappointed that they didn't have everything on the menu available. The party lobster rolls rock. I would definetly go back, too bad the location is so far out of the way.

• Pros: martinis, lobster rolls, oysters

03/15/04

Bongo Bonehead

by bridgentunnelgurl

Bongo is known for great oysters so I met my friends there for my birthday bash. Undeterred by the small space, we

sat down, apparently claiming half the space and started ordering drinks.

After an hour, I ordered oysters for my hungry guests. The manager asked me whose party it was and berated me

about not making a reservation. He asked me to take my guests elsewhere before his 10pm reservation arrives. Although it was only 8:30pm, I said we'd leave promptly.

Before I walked away, I canceled my order for 3doz. oysters and his temperament quickly changed. He asked me to stay for

another hour or so, but I informed him that we'd rather take our business elsewhere.

I'll never EVER step into this place again. The decor/music are in dire need of an overhaul, the service acceptable, but the drinks aren't worth enduring the horrible management and ambiance.

• Pros: Huge tables
• Cons: , Boring music, Yawn-inducing decor