Reviews & Ratings for Public House

01/06/11

Vibrant Bar Scene

by Athena Chang , Citysearch Contributor at Citysearch

I think I would have given it more stars if I only came here for drinks but unfortunately I was here for food.

We got their current dinner special of $25 set dinner. It comes with a choice of appetizer, entree and dessert. I went for the Bruchetta, fillet Mignon and berry pie. Out of the three, I actually like the bruchetta the most. It is actually surprisingly good. The fillet mignon, my choice of entree was a major disappointment. The meat is very old and rough, requiring tons of chewing! Finally, the berry pie just doesn't taste good.

Overall, I got full from the meal but I was not impressed with the food at all. Service was good and it definitely has a vibrant bar scene. I would suggest skipping the food here!

05/24/10

Reliable Spot for Drinks and Food

by a Tooch , Citysearch Contributor at Citysearch

Public House is a fairly new spot, with lots to offer. The happy hour prices are fair, and the giant space is filled on Thursdays and Fridays (er, and Mondays/Tuesdays too actually...) with young professionals working in the area. The crowd is a bit older than nearby McFadden's, if you are familiar with what a Friday happy hour is there...

For the ultimate hangover cure try the grilled cheese, served extra greasy on thick bread, with a side of tomato soup. Other favs include the spinach dip and nachos.

If you are looking to have a group birthday outing, Public House also runs the all-too-familiar 2 and 3 hour open bar deals. (Although at $40, I'm not sure how much of a "deal" it is.)

A great spot if you're in the neighborhood.

• Pros: Decent Happy Hour, Good Bar Food

02/04/10

Love PH!

by canary4185 at Citysearch

I come here often for lunch & happy hour. Bartenders are always super friendly and the food is great! My group is always made to feel welcome and we love the ambiance.

A little crowded after work, but what can you expect - few places in Midtown are this cool.

• Pros: Friendly staff, great food

02/13/09

I say...find another bar.

by jamiesaidgogators at Citysearch

Spacious. However, Happy Hour is INTENSE and super crowded. I went there after Happy Hour, to visit a friend bartending. Total B&T crowd, and my friend's Louis got stolen FROM THE BAR COUNTERTOP after she paid for a drink .Sketch, sketch, sketch.

Total sausage fest, but unless you're into the whole B&T thing, don't go. And no offense if you are...that's just what it is.

They do carry Basil Hayden's and Van Gogh Espresso Vodka...two plusses.

02/08/09

DO NOT PLAN A PARTY HERE

by fmm4v at Citysearch

The staff, from party planner to bouncers, were extremely rude and nasty. They were unaccomodating and condescending. I reserved a table for my friends and I, except they refused to let in most of my party. I explained I had friends from out of town visiting, but they had zero consideration and still turned them away. Once everyone got fed up and left, the party planner THEN offered to let in my friends- TOO LITTLE, TOO LATE. The staff was beyond unhelpful and obnoxious. I would highly recommend never going to this bar. The line was out of control even though there was plenty of room inside for more occupants.

• Cons: Poor service, rude/nasty staff

01/30/09

off the hook

by JimmyJones2009 at Citysearch

Went there for happy hour a few weeks ago. Loved the room. Place was packed with lots of girls. Drinks were a little pricey, but def worth it as the management was on point!!!

11/11/08

BEST MIDTOWN HAPPY HOUR

by RLJ74 at Citysearch

Stopped in for a few drinks after work before hoping on the train back to westchester; place was packed. As long as you get a spot at the bar your set, bartends were quick to refill my drink and crowd was fun. Didnt get a chance to try the food but I'm looking to get back there soon to give it a try.

10/22/08

Umm...HORRIBLE

by megawega14 at Citysearch

I had a horrible experience last week with my coworkers. I had heard this place gets busy during Happy Hour, and it was -- But, it was FRATASTIC. So many yuppy frat boys thinking that redbull vodkas were "cool" and the service was slow. The food was awful. We even tried to talk to the manager, but he seemed distant and uninterested. I was offered sweet potato fries and said yes, but wasn't told I would be charged 3 dollars for them. And, there aren't even any Happy Hour Deals!?!?! Why do people go here? AWFUL. Poorly run and slow staff -- do not recommend.

10/03/08

Cheerful, mentally challenged staff

by drink_club1 at Citysearch

I applaud efforts to employ the mentally challenged. But sometimes, especially when serving the public, this can go too far.

Drink Club went to THE PUBLIC HOUSE during the vice-presidential debates. The large sports-oriented wall-mounted TVs

all showed the event. BUT, the sound was off, and a DJ was blasting 80s music. Well, you could just read the captions, right?

Nope. They didn't have the captions on. When one of our group went to the bar to suggest they turn them on, the bar-tender

told her "Our tech crew is working on it." They never figured out how to do it.

Our cheerful waitress came to take our order for food and drink. Half of it came. We ordered again/more. Half of that came.

During our first order, the waitress told us that "the kitchen closes at 11 o'clock."

"Could you let us know beforehand?" I asked. "So we can have a last-call before closing?"

"Sure," said the waitress.

Yeah right.

We tried ordering at 10:59, were told that "it's too late. The kitchen's closed."

When we reminded the waitress about our "last call" request, she said she wasn't able to comply because "I don't have a watch."

The food was okay, but we left hungry. After 9:30 the tables empty and the jockish crowd stands around the bar and yells at

each other. It is not a thrill! --Drink Club NYC is a roving group of NYC drinkers

• Pros: cheerful, convenient location, lots of space
• Cons: service, volume level

05/28/08

Great Happy hour!

by AlbertoConnell at Citysearch

This is a great addition to the midtown neighborhood. Perfect for Afterwork bar and restaurant before you get onto train at Grand Central. I this the specialty drinks are great! Try the blue cheese stuffed olives martini..amazing! I would definitely come back for happy hour and lunch! Try the chipolte wings or spinach dip! Steaks are great too!