11/08/09

Good times!!

by Bruiz

Started going to Keats a month ago...fun place!! Karaoke is a blast!! Some great singers, not at all pretentious. Some not so good but everyone is enjoying themselves. Even some of the staff sing! I work in the industry further downtown & enjoy chatting to the bartenders. Recently went on Tues night after work for trivia, it was a challenge!! Easy going, relaxed place with a good mix of people. Worth checking out!

• Pros: Great atmosphere & service
• Cons: small bathrooms

10/27/09

Pub Quiz, Pub Food, Pub Fun

by TheGasMan

I've heard of this place for karaoke but decided to try it on an off night. I found out they have trivia on Tuesdays so I went with a few friends. We were unsure at first but once we sat down everything was great. Our waitresses were wonderful, drinks were strong, and we saw what later on appeared to be the trivia host walking around and talking to people, seeming to know everyone. I thought 'is this one of those places where we'll feel like we won't belong?' Couldn't be further from the truth. The host befriended us and it immediately felt like home.

We had the burgers to start, they were excellent, cooked exactly like we wanted. We didn't do very well at the trivia, but it seemed like the host has his own unique style so we decided to definitely come back to try our hand again.

All in all, great experience...I highly recommend this place, if for nothing else, the atmosphere. The only thing I would change are the prizes. Apparently you win bar tabs, which everyone seems to be ok with. The host said they're starting something online, so we'll see where they go with it.

• Pros: good crowd, no drunks, service
• Cons: prizes

07/16/09

Lunchtime Lowdown

by trustedscholar

Just recently began working near the U.N., overheard people talking about Keats at work so decided to bring a buddy and check it out. Nice and very attentive staff, especially since we had to get in and out for lunch (assuming they're used to making quick lunches) but they didn't skimp on the quality. In fact, the person who I assumed is the head chef actually comes out and talks to customers about how their lunch was.

I've been back at least once a week for lunch since and have been telling all my coworkers about it.

R.

• Pros: Good service, nice atmosphere, healthy menu
• Cons: small bathrooms

07/15/09

Girls night!

by Alexisny212

So I started and ended our night at keats! Good drinks, karaoke and a fun atmosphere was the perfect place to start our girls night...not to mention late night and fun coming back - def a spot worth checking out!!

• Pros: cheap drinks, fun crowd

06/04/09

A Favorite among MANY!

by Sandymac

I've been in NYC for about 7 years now and just moved to midtown east about a year ago. There's not shortage of bars in this neighborhood so it's hard to pick one that stands out above the rest...after hitting most of them multiple times with my girlfriends, I can safely say Keats is that bar! I don't go to bars to ogle women (although there's nothing wrong with that) or to get a cheap jack and diet coke (only to find the reason it's cheap is because it's not jack at all) - I go for the staff and the atmosphere...and as far as I'm concerned, Keats is a cut above the rest in those departments (at least in this 'hood').

I'm not a huge karaoke fan, but my friends and I always make it a point to stop by there on a weekend, whether it be our first stop, our last stop...and sometimes it's been our only stop! Get to know the bartenders, Dawn and Dan I think are there names (blonde irish gal and dark haired guy who actually sings from behind the bar).

• Pros: Staff, Vibe, Drinks
• Cons: Kitchen closes too early on Saturdays

06/01/09

Good times

by Sean212

I don't know about the 10 page rant before this, which unfortunately I read before going there, but heard good things and decided to check it out. Brought some of my boys who were in town and couldn't have had a better time...great drinks and prices, really friendly and good bartenders, young and energetic vibe and not to mention the most classic karaoke ever - no question were coming back!

• Pros: Great scene, friendly people, and good drinks!
• Cons: small bathroom

04/24/09

HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE

by rm112

If you like servers and restaurant managers to dispute and talk back to you and horrible customer service then the place to go is Keats on 842 2nd ave, New York, NY 10017 on the Eastside of Manhattan between 44th and 45th street. I have been there several times during the evening for karaoke and the place seemed cool and fun so I decided to go back for lunch one afternoon and will never return again.

To start off, I ordered a sprite which had tiny strange particles floating in my glass so I asked the server to replace it. After trying to flag her down for 5min, but keep in mind that there were literally only 2 tables occupied, she finally came to my table to inspect my glass thoroughly before she replaced it, like I was lying or something (LOL). Fine, so she replaced the soda which wasn't a big deal to me but my main issue is that I ended up paying for a cheeseburger that I never ate because the order was incorrect and the manager and server insisted that I pay regardless. Geez, the burger was only 7 bucks, are you THAT hard up to make a disappointed local customer pay for mistakes that the waitress/cook made rather than to chalk the burger as a loss? Well I guess Keats will eventually pay.

The menu stated that the burgers are served on an English muffin but English muffins are too firm for me to chew due to my sensitive teeth so I asked can the cook replace the English muffin for a regular hamburger bun and the server replied, "yes." The food arrived to my table shortly after and guess what, my tiny ,burnt burger was sitting on what seemed to be an English muffin. After trying to get the servers attention for 10 minutes, she finally comes to the table. I told her that I asked for a regular burger bun and she insisted that it was a burger bun. Duh, I know what burger buns look like, maybe she doesn't. Buns are soft with seeds, this roll looked just like a muffin to me and to everyone else. It was very firm with a bagel texture. Then she said she will toast another bun and bring it out. Ok, 7-10 minutes later, she finally comes out with a correct hamburber bun but by then my food was cold. I told her I didn't want it anymore then she started going back and forth with me about how quickly she fixed my order, which wasn't true at all. Suddenly what appears to be the manager of Keats comes to the table to act like he's trying to resolve the issue but only defends the incompetent, non attentive server. She then stated that the customer is not always right and said that I will still have to pay for my order. I told her fine, I will pay the bill and in return I asked her,"would I be wrong if you don't get a tip." She replied,"I don't want your money." Wow!! Now I'm feeling a certain way because I sensed a little bit of racism in that remark. Bottom Line, The service sucked badly, if not the worse that I have experienced. Trust me, it will not end here!

• Pros: NONE
• Cons: HORRIBLE CUSTOMER SERVICE

03/17/09

Awful Experience

by nyccharron

Horrible experience last night, apparently they are beer servers and not bartenders as they let a few old timers get so plastered they were spitting and spilling beer on the younger set.

I noticed multiple people leaving before they even finished their beers. I followed suit and headed down the street to the Perfect Pint and had a nice quiet evening people watching and finishing that abandoned pint.

• Pros: Decent burger
• Cons: Can't pour a Guiness to save their job

09/25/08

Great (Exciting) Trivia Night

by nottoobright

Of all the pub quizzes in Manhattan, I enjoy Keats the best. The staff is nice and accomodating for large parties, but get there early, seats are usually taken by the time it starts on Tuesdays at 8:30pm. I've been going fairly regularly for almost a year (even won once!), and the host is funny, he interacts with the crowd, most of which he seems to know personally (or maybe they just go as much as I do). Anyway, this past Tuesday he actually had to ask someone to leave who was being obnoxious and yelling out answers, even got the cops...it was exciting, although probably not for the host...but we all had a great time anyway. I highly recommend this place for Trivia nights!

• Pros: great staff and food, reasonably prices drinks
• Cons: fills up quick, get there early, drunkies who yell out answers

09/09/08

Sunday Football At Keats Can't Be Beat!

by kombuchaqueen

For a relaxed Irish Pub, the food is better than expected! Try the Santa Fe Chicken Wrap or the Rosemary Chicken Sandwich.

Visit on Sundays for football and try the Philly Cheesesteak and a bucket of beers! All come with their homemade chips which are always fresh and delicious!