Salt Bar
(212) 979-8471
29A Clinton St
New York,
NY
10002
40.7205
-73.9845
Neighborhoods: Lower East Side, Downtown
Reviews & Ratings for Salt Bar
10 reviews
What users are saying:
Showing 1-10 of 10 reviews
sweet dating spot
by laura757
January 10, 2009
Well unlike the reviewers below, I did not find it too loud. Perhaps I missed out on this manager? It is such a romantic little spot with a neat vibe. The food and staff were great. Can't wait to go back.
- Pros: food, ambience, staff
- Cons: over sauced salad
Earsplitting music, otherwise good ambience and drinks
by ecparker71
October 14, 2008
I agree with the reviewer below who complained of the noise level. It's not a big space and is layed out to encourage conversation, both at the tables and at the bar, but the music was insistently cranked so loud over and over again by the manager (despite several requests to turn it down) that my friend and I left, slightly deafened and frustrated by the fact that we had to shout even just sitting next to one another at the bar. I suspect that this problem has more to do with that particular manager than general policy. The bartenders were cleary afraid of him (they would turn down the music but not actually speak to him about it and give in when he turned it back up) and he exuded a hostile vibe.
- Pros: Drinks and food, polite bartenders, unpretentious
- Cons: Noise level
Great place, music too loud.
by poprock
October 10, 2008
It's really unfortunate. Salt Bar has been a place I've frequented many times. I feel bad saying this -- because Salt Bar is GREAT -- and the ambience is awesome -- but the manager tonight blew it. The music was ridiculously loud. I mean, you couldn't have a conversation. Don't get me wrong. 1. I love music. 2. I like it sorta loud. However, this was bad. Everytime someone in the restaurant asked for it to be lowered the bartenders and waitresses abided immediately. Not the manager! He kept changing it up, despite the customers' requests. I've been told by people who work there that other nights are better (i.e when that manager isn't there causing ear drum damage.)... I will go back for sure. Just on nights when he isn't there.
- Pros: Love the service.
- Cons: oversight is spotty -- too obsessed with turning the ipod up. too loud.
perfect comfortable spot
by lovefood77
March 27, 2008
I have yet to go to a New York City restaurant with as much warmth and comfortability we did not feel like leaving hours after our meal was finito. You instantly feel welcome the moment you walk in.
we adored it and are excited to return very soon
- Pros: the ambience is perfection
- Cons: the location is far from my lifestyle
Quaint Romance on the Lower East Side
by edex
January 27, 2008
I have been coming to Salt bar for years. The service has always been above average, rock n' roll/blues plays on the iPod selection from behind the bar. The food is wonderful and the location is perfect.
- Pros: location, service, ambience, friendly, food, music
Lovely space, terrible service
by missmadison
January 02, 2008
This place has such potential. It's adorable, and I was really looking forward to coming here. But the service was terrible-the bartender was just very rude, and only informed us it was cash only after we'd ordered drinks. I will not go back-from what I'm seeing of the reviews everyone else has written, they desperately need to rethink the 'service' aspect of this place.
- Pros: nice space
- Cons: RUDE waitstaff
One of our most memorable NYC nights out!
by camillebeck
December 12, 2007
Don't listen to the other reviews! My experience with the Salt Bar was seamless.
My husband and I held my father-in-law's birthday party here and everything from working with the event planner to the end of the night was great. They were extremely accommodating to our needs and made sure everyone was constantly taken care of. There was plenty of food out and it was very yummy. We only heard praise from our family and friends. (And this is a very picky crowd.) No one was ever without drinks.
We even stayed after our party was over because we were having such a great time. The service was still great. The other patrons all seem pleased as well.
The staff and the owner were tons of fun and added to the enjoyment of the night. They helped provide the atmosphere we were striving to find at other NYC bars and were lucky to find it here.
Be your own judge when deciding on the Salt Bar. We look forward to returning for plenty more good times!
- Pros: very relaxed atmosphere, great service
- Cons: parking can be a pain in this area
a big let-down
by hearthetrain
October 01, 2006
the atmosphere at salt is lovely. unfortunately i can't say the same about the service.. the bartender treated us like idiots for asking to start a tab (cash only bar) and then told us that about ninety-five percent of the specialty cocktails were no longer served. we tried one of the few still available, liked it, and ordered another, and were scolded for not ordering them at the same time. the bar was also relatively empty for a saturday night. we promptly finished our (inconsistent) drinks and left, and certainly do not intend to go back. definitely a let-down.
too dark to see the food!
by mongoliamary
October 29, 2005
Salt bar is really geared more towards drinks and light foods, and it's a great trendy scene and very lively. But they really shouldn't put their entrees in bowls if the light levels are going to stay so low, as the food just looks like a dark glob of mush. I couldn't even eat my chicken because I couldn't see how to cut it, and it is completely unappetizing to have a bowl full of dark stuff that you can't see sitting in front of you. I took the food home, and once I could see it, it tased pretty good. The appetizers are great, esp the dates in bacon (and they are on a plate and spaced out enough so that you can actually make out the form of the food in the low light!)
- Pros: dates in bacon, trend o rama
- Cons: too dark to eat!
Seduction in a dark room, with upscale bar snacks and plenty of wine to seal the deal.
by Allison Austin
December 02, 2004
The Scene
White-brick walls, cool cement floors, communal wood-plank tables stained dark chocolate and a crimson ceiling that fades in the dim candlelight--this is one of those rooms that makes everyone look and feel more attractive than they did before they walked in. Sit at the bar and chat with the efficient and attitude-free bartenders, or snatch the four-stooled bar along the front window.
The Draw
Melissa O'Donnell--whose restaurant Salt marries subtle romance and lush food--has done it again, this time with an impressive menu of affordable snacks to pair with wine or cocktails. Don't miss the dates wrapped in bacon, baked until they taste like salty, crisp candy; the satisfying chicken liver pâté or the beef Wellington with mushrooms and balsamic-vinegar sauce. The best cocktail is an intriguing hibiscus tea martini, which substitutes bourbon for gin and has just a tinge of sweet vermouth.
