Reviews & Ratings for The Bowery Electric

03/01/12

Don't use the coat check!

by JanineJ

On Friday Feb. 17th, 2012 I was at the Bowery electric. I paid to check my coat in the coat check with my blackberry cell phone in the pocket, assuming that it would be much safer there then with me on the dance floor.

When I returned to the coat check at the end of the evening with my ticket the woman behind the coat check informed me that she had given my coat and cell phone to a random bar patron who claimed that the coat was her friends without a claim ticket. I explained to her that I did not think it was acceptable to give a coat to anyone without a claim ticket. Since the bar was closing I was asked to leave by security and to call the next day.

After leaving several messages and speaking to an assistant manager I was told that this was not the clubs typical practice and that something would be done to amend this, however nothing at all was done. After leaving two more voice mail messages I never received a call back. I lost over $500 in property due to the negligence of the bar's coat check staff. This is not how customers or guests should be treated.

I am very disappointed about how this was handled.

Response from this business

111934– March 14, 2012 at 15:30:36 PDT

Our coat check employees do not hand over coats to people without coat check tickets unless the coat can be identified by all of the following criteria: lining, the brand, the color, the size, the buttons or zippers, pockets and the contents of the pockets. The bar is not responsible for items left on benches or stools in the bar or coats taken out of coat check by a customer who then proceeds to leave their coat. We've found dozens of coats, sweaters, phones and even shoes - left at the end of the night and returned them to their rightful owners. We have gone and searched on Facebook to return lost and found wallets. Our business is incredibly responsible for items checked.

02/07/12

Best Music Venue in NYC + Great Place for a Party

by montanamacks

Being a music buff (scenester?) I spent a full week in mid-October "sick from work," trolling the LES, E Vill and WBurg for new bands during CMJ. When Sunday came I was burnt out, exhausted and covered in stamps, mostly from one venue: The Bowery Electric. I hadn't been there before, but by golly I'll be (and have been) going again.... and again and again. The bands there are always awesome. The sound is always right on the money (can't say the same about ANY other venue) and it's just a down right cool place.

Obviously, when it came time to find a spot for my birthday party in December, I emailed the address of the Bowery Electric website. No more than 30min later I had a party for me and my 30 closest friends in The Vault Room. We showed up, got greeted with a smile by the bouncer (rare, huh?) and checked in with a nice dude just inside the front door. Not only was there not a hassle, but the manager even helped me get some of my less-punctual friends passed the line. (Have to say, one of the more baller moments in my life.) The music downstairs was kicking. I can never remember the DJs name but she's sick.

Anyway, we were there until 4 in the morning and it was a BLAST! I usually don't write reviews because I'm from New York and unless I'm bad-mouthing Paul's shouldn't-be-famous famous burgers, I'm just not interested. But The Bowery Electric is a scene, and it's cool and I highly, highly recommend it.

02/05/11

AWFUL management, rude and irrational

by Jeff NYC

Do NOT host a party here!

What otherwise might be a good bar has an irrational and erratic owner that is likely to become emotionally worked up and be rude to you or your guests, making the night an un-enjoyable and awful experience. On two separate occasions I was at this bar where the same woman became emotionally worked up and verbally accosted guests of patrons hosting a 50+ person party in her establishment. The general intensity that accompanies a normal Saturday night in NYC seems to be more than she is emotionally able to handle. She becomes stressed out and in one instance actually attempted to kick the host out due to one guest accidentally tripping on the dance floor.

Until management changes hands I would not recommend hosting any parties here or visiting in general. This place is in close proximity to B-Bar and Phebes, both extremely fun establishments that will serve as superior substitutes.

Summary, NOT recommended.

Response from this business

111934– March 04, 2011 at 18:13:22 PST

Once again, the host and his guest were wrestling and rolling on the dance floor, not dancing. That is when one was asked to leave. We have had many many thank you notes and returning patron birthday parties. We have built a regular weekly following of returning customers. We are booked weeks in advance with parties. We book and run a music venue 7 nights a week in the downstairs space and have hosted live shows with internationally famous rock'n roll bands. Check out www.theboweryelectric.com for the weekly music schedule. We don't serve food. Cocktails and great music to dance to on the dance floor after 11pm on Friday and Saturday nights.

11/17/10

Cool Bar, Great Music

by musicalny

This is one of my fav bars in nyc. they always have great live music and a great crowd. during the week it is more of a chill spot and on the weekends it gets crazy. both are amazing times. even when there isnt live music they play great music. if you are into great music and good beer go here.

05/27/10

Cool Hip bar with Great music

by brett03

Went hear after reading reviews about this bar. Boy were these reviews correct. The music was great it was amazing rock music, the people there were real hip and the drinks were great. I will definitely come for a drink or happy hour.

• Pros: Awesome music

05/27/10

SO FUN

by burton16

had a ball for my friend's bday the other night. They were very accomodating. They have great drinks and awesome music. I even heard my favorite depeche mode song!

I totes recommend it!

• Pros: GREAT DRINKS AND TUNES

05/27/10

Great spot for drinks

by boyacasha

i love this place. either downstairs or upstairs its a great time. if you get a chance go see some of the bands too. cool spot run by a cool group. love all their bars.

• Pros: love the atmosphere

02/10/10

Love this place!!

by Revolt Industries

My friend and I just had a private party there, in the downstairs, and the place was amazing! Fast and friendly bartenders, very cool crowd... the party was a total success and super easy to book. When we booked the space it was really simple and all we had to do was show up and everyone got right in, plus we bought a bunch of drink tickets before hand which made are guests Very happy! Haven't been in the upstairs part on a weekend but, judging by the good time we had downstairs I'm sure the whole place is pretty wild on Fri. & Sat. nights. Check this spot out if your looking to book an event or party, email for info, that's what we did... and the staff really hooks it up!

• Pros: Cool place, great music! Perfect party spot.
• Cons: Can get crazy crowded!

Response from this business

111934– February 10, 2010 at 17:38:29 PST

Thanks for the props!!! Please call before you come in the next time and we'll be sure to greet with some house drink tix.

02/10/10

Great Music & Dancing, Until it Gets Packed

by ahcurtis

This is one of my favorite places for a fun night out, drinking and dancing to great music (preferably 80's) with one exception:

When the downstairs is closed/rented for a private party, this is my least favorite place and I just walk away.

With that one exception, I would want to give this spot a great review.

The music selection really is excellent. The DJ's do a good job of keeping the energy high, string together lots of good songs, and not just playing overplayed songs.

The bartenders are funny and do their best to handle large crowds. The bar needs to keep a bigger staff on popular nights though.

The crowd is always out for a good night and it's easy to meet people.

I would recommend booking a private party in advance if you're looking to organize a celebration. Your gain & good time in the downstairs area might be directly at my expense, but you'll have fun. There's a big dance floor downstairs and a 2nd bar with open space, seating, and a view of the primary downstairs dance floor.

• Pros: Outstanding Music Selection, Good Crowd (Not all guys...)
• Cons: Gets packed, not enough bartenders

02/10/10

Friendly Staff & Management

by deejayspicerack

I live around the corner from The Bowery Electric, I usually come in after work on weekdays for a drink. The bartenders are always funny, upbeat and a pleasure to chat with. I have met Diane (the manager) on several occasions and she has always been friendly and professional. So after seeing some negative reviews I wanted to post my own. From the door people to bar staff and management, I know most of these guys have been in New York for a long time, and know how to run a great bar/venue. I think if anyone had a bad experience here I have to conclude it's because they're new to the city, don't understand how to treat door staff (they are the ones letting you in!) and generally just amateurs to NYC night-life. It's sad when people come here and bad mouth staffers doing a good job just because they were to drunk, rude or both to have a good time.

• Pros: Professional Barstaff & Management
• Cons: Crowded (But Fun!) On Weekends