Reviews & Ratings for 119 Bar

CLOSED February 2011

by anniecakes

Sad news.

Simple Rules

by oldTimer

1. Buy drinks, it is a bar. If you want to make a spectacle of yourself to put on facebook, go somewhere else, preferably your parents' basement in Iowa or wherever it is you came from. Or at least buy everyone else a drink too.

2. Tip the bartender. Tip = 20%, because that is how bartenders survive. The cheapest beer I believe is $5. Do the math kids, that is $1 per beer. Every time. When you get a buy back, tip at least double. The bartender doesn't have to talk to you to do his/her job. If s/he does do you the honor, tip more.

3. Use the list to play pool. No one knows or cares whose quarters are on the table. No one knows or cares where you are when your name comes up, so be at the table.

4. Expect competition at pool. You don't get to "just play your friend," you must play the person who last won, given they are still interested. It is the winner's choice to play doubles or not. And their prerogative to beat you badly. More detailed rules are on the wall, but it really doesn't matter, you are very likely going to lose.

5. The bathroom is for urinating, or perhaps defecating if you really must. Not drugs. Not sex. Not fun time with the plumbing. Not venting your frustrations, however warranted. If you feel like vomiting, go outside and stay there.

6. Use your iPhone for customized media content. You don't have any say about what is on tv, so don't even ask. The bartender is supplying you with free music, so tip more.

When everyone follows these simple rules, 119 is a fine example of a diverse and generally friendly dive bar. But do recall that you are not in Kansas (or was it Iowa?) anymore, and be glad.

• Pros: cheap drinks, pool table, central location
• Cons: ignorant clientele

Rude thief of a bartender

by AAANYC

I guess people go here because the drinks a slightly cheaper than other places but you end up paying more. The drinks are watered down and the thieving ahole of a bartender short changes you.

Won't ever go here again.

• Pros: None
• Cons: Crap Staff

STAFF SUCKS!!!

by Beth Helix

Discovered this place a months weeks ago. Its usually a good crap hole to pre drink at before going to a reputable establishment. Last month I went and this time....IT SUCKED. The looser bartender called me a BITCH while a cig hung out of his mouth. All because I asked him what he was doing SMOKING!!!!. . He just insulted me by saying"FUCK YOU BITCH" and went back to his perch sitting behind the bar doing NOTHING. People all around needed drinks and this hipster looking ass sniffer was not helping anyone!! After a few minutes of staring at him thinking this was some kinda joke....Me and my 4 friends LEFT.........I WILL NEVER GO BACK TO THIS BAR AGAIN!!!! THE STAFF HERE SUCKS! I think its the same idiot someone else wrote about I think his name is Andrew. This is a recession. Everyone needs their job!!! Never thought an employee hated his job/boss so much he wanted to hurt the business and loose his own job in the process. What a jerk!! This place deserves to close. DO NOT GO TO THIS BAR!!!!!!!

• Pros: Not Many
• Cons: Bartender

RUDE !

by kayfire

came here randomly, after a night on the town for my biffs bday - stopped in to do a shot and be on our merry way...

upon entering the bar, which mind you, was completely DEAD - the rude bartender, glanced over at us, lit himself a cigarette (wasnt that banned 10 years ago?) and after several minutes we were given the time to order 4 shots of Jameson, which my friends and i frequent w/a cherry as a chaser; weird? be that as it may, this bartender ANDREW was rude and disrespectful calling my friends and i "high maintenance" and "who do we think we are taking a chaser with whiskey"

oh im sorry ANDREW, but your a dbag and if i want to chase my whiskey with a cherry, i damn well will do so - i too, am a bartender; and i dont judge people upon what they order, im friendly and sociable. this dude needs a reality check.

Awesome Dive Bar--A Must Drink for Those in the No

by mleslie

This bar has a grunge vibe but a stranger-friendly atmosphere. I was around Irving Plaza to meet a friend for dinner the other night, and arrived way too early. With nothing to do, my choices were Starbucks or 119. I chose wisely. The bartender and his friend were the only people in the place, and they were hanging outside when I walked in to an empty bar with ripped stools. Starring at the mug shot of Frank Sinatra placed on the wall as an obvious non-sequitor, and seeing basketball on the TV in the pool room, I was about to head out when the Fedora-clad bartender made it inside, and made my night. He and his friend were funny, entertaining and worth the $5 Heineken. I did not want to leave, but had to. Definitely put this one on your Thrillist!

• Pros: Great music, Great people
• Cons: None

great dive!

by rockroll

so i stopped in here one day thinking it was another bar....loved the pooltable and drinks...but it smelled funny! it is what it is so if you want a nyu experience with loud music i recommend it. the bartenders are great as well.....

Small living room type bar, that looks like it could be someone's basement

by rebel1978

Well, the title above says it all. It's a nice-size bar that appears it can be located in someone's basement or living room den. There are several couches (well worn) that you can sit, relax, chat with a friend. There's also a pool table and if you get there early, there isn't a wait to play. The only negative thing I can say about this place is that there is no jukebox, however the bartenders tend to play mostly punk music from their own collection. They could use a few oldies and southern rock CD's to liven the place up more. It's definitely not a party-type atmosphere, mostly calm atmosphere to chill with a friend. There's also a make-out room secluded in the back, perfect place to bring a date guys.

• Pros: Relaxing, Lots of Room, Pool Table, No hustling, couches, reasonable prices
• Cons: No Jukebox, lack of music variety

Rock Dive Bar

by qtgurljny

Get your drink on at this Rock Dive bar near Union Square. The beers are cheap, the Rockl music is pumping and the people are just there to catch a cold beer. Seating is limited with well-worn seats. Bathroom could be a ton cleaner. But, for $5 import pints and $4 bottles. I kinda can't be beat.

A bar that's proud to be a dive.

by Contributor

The Scene
A film of dust covers the wood-paneled walls at 119 Bar, a downtown dive with an I-won't-bother-you-if-you-don't-bother-me vibe. Lamps cast a red hue on the mellow proceedings, and cooler-than-thou types take a load off amid the well-loved, worn-down interior. A number of old leather couches with torn upholstery line the grimy gray-and-white tile floor in the roomy front area, and in the back sit a bevy of booths.

The Draw
Alternative rock rings out loud and proud from speakers located throughout the spacious saloon, but not so loud as to drown out the chatting of the 20-somethings who come here for a pint and a place to play pool. There's a TV in the corner, but the regulars rarely turn it on--they'd rather make their own entertainment.