Really cool Whiskey Bar. The bartenders will take the time to explain things to you and help you find a whiskey suitable for your tastes. the drinks start at $25 and go up from there. It can get a bit pricey, but overall a great experience.
Patrick, the bartender, displayed exceptional knowledge about the whiskey selection at the bar. He assisted in curating some flights and engaged in excellent conversation. I had a fantastic time and would highly recommend a visit. They offer a wide range of price points, from affordable options to premium selections.
This unassuming whiskey bar has a no-nonsense, knowledgeable, and friendly attitude towards whiskey that make it an absolute pleasure for whiskey lovers. The staff are knowledgeable, the choices of whiskey are in the hundreds, and the atmosphere is friendly and enjoyable. My personal recommendation is to go in and simply ask for the bartenders input on what to drink because theyll definitely point you in the right direction and introduce you to something new. Overall, top notch location, would become a regular if I lived in NYC.
A whiskey bar if you want to try something good and new. The bartender was very friendly and explained the type of rye that I was looking to try. He understood my taste pallet and suggested a rye based on it. It was very good. The decor is nice, a small place where you can enjoy some background jazz and a glass of whiskey.
As someone completely new to the world of whiskey, this was a nice place to experiment whiskeys in a flight. The bartenders are incredibly knowledgeable and personable. Space is very small, and it gets quite busy during weekends, so perhaps try visiting early or on a weekday.
This place is very cool. I came here one evening for a quick nightcap. The owner is the bartender and is a big whiskey person. He helped talk with me over what kinds of whiskeys I like and recommended one for me. The place only has whiskey and many of them are imported and rare. Its a good way to spend a lot of money quickly, so watch out for that. Otherwise, a great bar.
If you love bourbon and are wanting to try something new in a cool, very New York bar…head here.My boyfriend and I went here on our first date over 4 years ago - and obviously it went well. Haha. We decided to go back a couple weeks ago and had a couple of drinks before a show and the bartender wasVery knowledgeable, the cocktails were delicious and the vibe was as romantic as ever.Can’t wait to go back again.
If you have ANY interest in whisky/whiskeys, you are going to love this niche nook.Its not cheap and its not a sellout to other drinks like beer or hard sodas. Like many businesses, costs have gone up, but a good whisky was never going to be cheap anyway.The gents behind the bar will be your guides (I dont even recall if they had a written menu)... Just tell them what interests you (and your budget maybe) and they will take you through the story and beauty of each unique flavor. They do flights too if youd like a smaller pour and more variety.Im so glad my friend found and introduced me to this fabulous and fairly tiny place.
The bartender, Patrick, was unbelievably knowledgeable about the whiskey in the bar. Helped curate some flights and had some great conversation as well. Had a great time and would highly recommend visiting here. All price points are available, reasonable to very top shelf stuff.
I do not like whiskey, however, with that being said I found this to be a pleasant experience. I came with some friends who were whiskey drinkers and they also had a good time. We all did a 3 tasting flight. The bartender seemed very knowledgeable. He took the time to speak with us individually to understand what we like, our flavor profiles, and our overall preferences. Then he would step away to take inventory of what he had on the shelf to curate a tasting flight for us. Granted, if you know exactly what you want, you do not have to go through this process, but I found it to be exciting. The bottles are also set up in front of you so you know exactly what youre drinking. This is not a place where you come to take shots, but you sit, taste, enjoy your alcohol and the company around you. While I wouldnt go back by myself, I may take a friend who does like whiskey. They have a huge selection to pick from. Also if youre not into drinking straight whiskey, they will make mixed drinks with whiskey. They do not serve food so be sure to eat before hand or make a reservation elsewhere for after like we did.
A must do experience for any authentic Bourbon, whiskey, Rye, Etc. drinker. Very knowledgeable staff.
If there were negative stars, I would give those. This place is absolutely terrible, and Im not even talking about the outrageous prices for terrible whiskey.Two of the bartenders (males), are the most arrogant, mean, condescending jerks I have ever experienced. I went there with a few of my girlfriends and instantly both bartenders were talking down to us and making snide remarks. Im not sure if they are also owners or managers, but either way, they should not be allowed to work there.
Amazing selection and even better service. Any whiskey lover should stop by
Very tiny whiskey bar. Most bartenders in places like this engage with the customers and discuss various whiskeys to find something new and interesting. These guys could have cared less. Will not be back.
Very overpriced with freaking awful service. Kept forcing us to leave before the closing time. I asked when they close to make sure we leave before the closing time, and the bartender yelled at us ‘SOON!’ - 3 hours before when it’s supposed to close. The first bartender was amazing but not the second one. He was rude af. Srsly never gonna come back.
Don’t judge a place by its size. This small whiskey bar is a must visit for anyone who loves whiskey or wants to learn about it. Extremely knowledgeable bartenders especially Patrick who generously shares his expertise. One definitely comes out feeling a “little more educated” and maybe break some of your myths about what you thought you knew 👍🏻
Very cool whiskey bar. Cool vibe, small and cozy.An immense selection of different whiskies from all around the world. Simple pricing. most are the same price, only a few older ones are a few $ more.
Best whiskey bar in NYC
Awesome bar! Loved to atmosphere!! I highly recommend visiting!
Bar is ok. Weird there’s no menus with set prices. But ok, That’s their choice and they say it uppfront. We were really excited to go cause we all love whisky, but the bartender was so rude it was shocking. Thing is, with no menus you need to ask the bartender for recommendations, who seems he doesn’t like being disturbed. He will get angry if you don’t like what he randomly picked for you. I have never seen anyone act in such a condescending manner to random people. Simply put he’s a giant Ahole for no reason. Maybe he doesn’t like his job. First we thought it was just to us, but then realized that’s his thing, especially to the non Americans. It’s not cool. We left after one drink never to return. Pity.
Best Whiskey Bar in the city! Great stories too.
Amazing place for drinks. A vast collection of whiskies and very knowledgeable bartenders. Top shelf is worldclass and their recommendations are spot on. One can bring own snacks. Good place to hangout after the office with friends.
Came in a while back and was greeted by Lamar.. what a wonderful guy! Not to mention the Pappy 15 he directed me to! Talk about bang on from my suggestion! I could have chatted with him all night.. if fact we did more than not actually. I’ll be back whenever Im town for sure . Thank you Lamar for a really great night . From being somebody new to the city It was really nice to have someone to talk to who made it feel just like home. ❤️
The manager or most likely the co owner is very condescending toward non white males and probably others. Our discussion as I entered the almost empty the bar and requested info geared toward him making it seem like I would not be able to afford his drinks and then asking me condescendingly If I was sure I wanted to stay. At that point I said no. No need to patronize this type of business.
This is a top favorite of mine! Maybe Im biased because its the first date of my husband and I, but its such a good gem right outside the bustle of Times Square. They dont have a drink menu, but they do have a ton of whiskey! If you talk to the bartenders and tell them what you like they will with no doubt make a cocktail that you will love. They also have turned us on to whiskeys or ryes and scotch that we never would have tried as we are typically Bourbon drinkers. If you dont know what to order - you cant go wrong with an Old Fashioned! Im also a fan of Paper Planes - which are great here! The venue is tiny, if you get there early youll get a good seat. As an interior designer I can tell you the ambiance is fantastic, its the perfect vibe!
Great selection of whiskey and bourbon. Its definitely pricey, but the spirits are great. The bar keep is extremely knowledgeable about his stock and can find a bottle you will enjoy. Only reason I took a star off, is because there are no TVS, which is just a personal preference. Its also a small bar. Definitely go for a glass or two.
The best bar in NYC. You can’t find a whiskey selection like this and the atmosphere is 🤌🏽 Patrick, Lamar and Dario are THE BEST ✨
Great selection of whiskey, Josh is very knowledgeable. If he wasnt serving drinks he was making conversation with customers, shaking their hand and asking names and introducing himself.Dont know about the darkness people are talking about as I was there in the afternoon, but for late afternoon/early evening drinks it was great.No whiskey menu but he was happy to talk and give tastings till you were happy.
Honestly one of the best bars I’ve ever been too. As a woman, I felt safe. As a person, I felt like I had the world in my hands. The bartender, Patrick, made me feel important and welcome in a manner that succeeds expectations of any normal bar. It’s easy to talk to people, the owner, or Patrick.
My wife and I came here to enjoy a few drinks as the bar had great reviews but upon entering we were given the impression by the bartender that we were an inconvenience to him. His attitude was almost enough for us to walk out but we decided to stay for one drink. We starting researching other bars in the area while still there. We finished our drinks, which we couldnt even enjoy, and left. Maybe we just went on the wrong day with the wrong bartender but definitely not going back.
We’re new to the neighborhood and had stopped in because we’d seen this place walking by. The bartender was friendly and on point with differentiating this establishment from others. It’s a serious whiskey bar that prides it’s selection uniqueness and service. If say you’re in the mood for all things whiskey they’ll help you discover just that. Tell them what about your favorite flavor preferences of almost anything and they’ll surprise you with their interpretation. Even though we learned all this in two minutes sitting down and did not have a drink their, out take on this place still counts.
Josh is a fantastic bartender! Very knowledgeable and friendly, he can help you find just the sort of whiskey that suits your fancy. He set up a superb whiskey flight after asking what I like to help nail down the flavors I enjoy. Stellar service and a great selection!
Patrick is amazing! Very knowledgeable about bourbons and whiskeys. And what a huge selection. Gotta check out his bitters too. I enjoy the cozy size and personal attention that Patrick provides. Thanks to my buddy Scott, who showed me this gem. Cant wait to visit Manhattan again!!
Stumbled upon this place because of internet reviews and thought it would be an awesome place to check out. Unfortunately the bartender that was working last night had different ideas. When I asked if they had a drink menu, the bartender simply replied that it was all the drinks behind him. Ok...fair enough I guess. I then asked what kind of mixed drinks they had and he immediately acted like I asked him something offensive. He begrudgingly listed off the 5 mixed drink options. I asked my friend which drink he thought I would like, because I am an absolute novice on whiskey and my friend knows a lot more about whiskey than I do, and also knows what kind of drinks I usually enjoy. The bartender cut me off mid-conversation with said friend and rudely criticized you have to ask your friend what you want to drink? You cant decide for yourself?. God forbid I ask someone more knowledgeable than me for some recommendations, how unheard of. We asked him to repeat the mixed drink options one more time(all five(5) of them) because my friend was in the back and could not hear him the first time. Rather than repeat the options, the bartender asked me if I was drunk, and if I just stumbled into this place because it was a nearby bar. Not sure why this bartender had to be so rude, as I dont think any of my questions or requests were anything out of the ordinary that he would encounter. I wish I would have gotten his name. If you do go here and theres a bartender that looks like the actor Brian Tyree Henry, you might want to brace yourself for a rude and unpleasant encounter.
Had a great experience at On The Rocks. Its a small, quiet bar to enjoy and learn about whiskey. The bar staff has a wealth of knowledge and are excited to share it with you. Worth noting that they dont have a menu per se- instead they have one of each type of spirit, and many multitudes of whiskey variants, plus five house cocktails (all whiskey based). I tried two - a rye Sazerac and a bourbon Boulevardier - and was quite happy with both drinks. I would definitely go again.
*Used* to be one of my go-to favorite spots of all time.I would regularly bring business partners, friends and family here finding myself comfortable in the refuge of the atmosphere. We were always respectful, calm, admiring of our surroundings, and generous to staff.Its quite unfortunate; after a week-long business trip, I came back to try and find solace in the place I had come to know as my comfort zone.Im reluctant to share that upon greeting the owner, I was met with disdain, contempt, scorn, and insolence.Before I was able to take a seat, the owner singled me out and seemed to have expressed whatever frustration he felt at the time on me. (In a very public manner).Initially, I perceived this as banter, until I realized I was being threatened and ridiculed. The bartender and guests stared in awe as this man strung loosely composed sentences together with swear words and revolting statements. Before I had the chance to say I was away, the owner unrelentingly would not stop about how I abandoned his business, suggesting the absence of myself and colleagues bankrupted him?This didnt stop until I felt physically threatened, at which point I left.The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men (women) to do nothing.I hope in at least writing this review I have done *something*.
An absolutely amazing find! My wife and I were recommended to try this bar by our waitress from dinner - and we were delighted.The bar tender proved the extent of the selection by not only having heard of Penderyn, the Welsh whiskey, but even having a bottle in stock!We the proceeded to try various flights of whiskey from around the world, with the bar tender not only humouring us in our game of If this whiskey was a book - what would it be?, but also providing challenges which ended up with everything from Steinbecks Sweet Thursday to Moby Dick.I really would recommend going in here and describing what things you like and they will then find the perfect whiskey for you.
Consistently good neighborhood whiskey bar. They have no beer or do fireball shots.
Ideal spot for the whiskey enthusiast. The knowledge of the staff makes the place, and justifies their pricing.
If youre looking for rare and high quality whiskeys or other liquor, this is the place to go. Its a bit small, to be prepared to be cozy. But it is definitely worth the experience (and price of any top shelf.)
I am a former local of HK but have never felt more unwelcome in a bar in my life. I am an avid whiskey drinker and member of a whiskey club in my local pub in the village. However when I asked for a menu or just list of liquors on offer (I wear glasses and the bar is very dimly lit) I was met with an almost disgust of ignorance. The bartender just scoffed and said it’s what you see on the shelves. In such an intimate setting I was made feel both embarrassed and utterly unwelcome. Is it that inappropriate to ask for a menu?! It’s not a speakeasy or cocktail bar...the bartenders only skill it to pour from a bottle...maybe they could use their spare time to just write down what’s on the bloody shelf!Overpriced, overheated and unpleasant! You’d be better off splurging on a lovely bottle of your favourite whiskey and staying at home!
Cool lounge style scotch bar. Prices are a little expensive but they have a great scotch list and you get what you pay for. I highly recommend this place. It a great spot to stop at before you go to a show at Terminal 5.
Knowledgeable bartender and TONS of whiskey from all over the world. Whiskey overload here but a must go for all whiskey drinkers. Happy hour is from 5-7 so drinks are 20% off....so typically that $11 drink is now about $9, not bad. Reasonably priced and they make strong drinks. Get the old fashioned or the sazerac!
Great selection of whiskey but a bit pricey. Some of the higher end whiskeys will easily run you $35 for a pour, but usually good pours. Very cozy and the bartender is great.
Wonderful find. Delightful collection of whiskey. Great time making amazing discoveries, such as the Nikka coffee malt. Absolutely delicious!
Really tight space but for the most part fine. I think the drinks are overpriced but the ambience is a big part of the experience. Staff was very helpful in choosing whiskey.
Awesome place in the midtown west area to get whiskey, bourbon, scotch, or rye. They have a huge selection and knowledge staff that will help you try something new or something youre comfortable with.
Good whiskey, great bartenders!Also a lovely atmosphere, great way to end my stay in NYC.
Chill vibe, good selection, knowledgeable bartenders.
Small, quiet and of course a great selection of whisky!
It will be a challenge to enjoy your drink as you have to tread lightly on the touchy and persnickety bearded bartender. This gent was clearly put upon (THATs why I ASKED before! he snipped) by having to repeat making three more identical Manhattans for a group of six of us (pleasant folks in our 50s), as the final three of us took the time to decide while he was making the first three. As we drank and conversed on, he repeatedly kept telling us to move our chairs, telling one wife to tell her husband. Hey Mama, tell him to move his chair. We appreciated the bars style and attention to a fine selection of brown liquors, but it was one drink and done for us. Saturday, May 18th, about 6:30pm
This place offers a great selection of whiskeys. I enjoyed the spin on my old fashioned, but my bf’s tasting flight was a bit of a sticker shock!
For all the whisky they have there, they dont have any list to show you at all. If theres something you like, theres a distinct chance it wont be there when you visit again. They want to sell you on something else, but sometimes you want what you want.
Stumbled on this place while searching for a place to try some tasting. Excellent collection with over 400 bottles! Very knowledgeable bar tender too! Definitely coming back
Homophobic owner, and he is teribally rude as well (screams all the time.) The place is small and pricey. If you are a young girl that is willing to flirt with him in exchange for a better service, do it. Otherwise, not recommended at all.
Charming neighborhood whiskey bar, but quite cramped and some patrons can be rude
An Amazing Whisky and Burbon Connoisseurs bar. Great atmosphere, knowledgeable staff and a dedicated and passionate owner make this a true midtown gem.
Top whisky and bourbon bar in Hells kitchen. Have very good mixologist and high end selections. Love their Manhattan cocktails.
Great Setting. If you love whiskey either beginner or advanced you must come here. Patrick is incredibly knowledgeable and willing to teach. They also recommend based on a conversation and not pre-meditated. Great great experience. Will be a regular
Patrick is the most knowledgeable. Have a conversation with him and your mind will be blown. The selection is unbelievable from all over the world and hard to find bottles. Hidden gem in Hells Kitchen!
Truly one of the Best whiskey experiences in America. This is a similar experience to Canon Whiskey in Seattle or Jack Rose in Washington DC.Sitting at the small bar the bartender has a conversation with you asking what you like and giving recommendations from their 300 to 400 bottle selection. I had a flight of Speyside whiskeys and Irish whiskeys with a friend. Both selections were made by the bartender and at least half of The distilleries were unfamiliar to me. Both flights were excellent!
Phenomenal selection of whiskeys, exceptional staff (Patrick and Lamar were awesome!) And Howard the owner is such a very cool dude :)
Amazing whiskey bar with 363 different whiskeys and very knowledgeable bartender. He was able to explain every whiskey, has tried all but 3, and was able to answer every question we had. I did not like whiskey until I went to this bar. He picked a very mild brand that he knew was good for non-whiskey drinkers and made amazing old fashioneds with it! The prices range from $18 to $1400 per drink but average $20-25. Well worth the money. Its a small and cozy bar, a hidden gem!
Amazing experience and ambiance. Bartender knows his stuff and makes perfect drinks based on your preferences. Not touristy- YAY
The staff may be pretentious though we found this hilarious; the bar is a Hell’s Kitchen gem. Good whiskey (and whisky) and a good spot for conversation.
Great selection but the bartender ruined the experience with his condescending attitude. Would not go back.
Great bar with knowledgeable/friendly bartenders who take their time explaining their cocktails! Will be back.
Really good variety of whiskey for the reasonable price, cozy place.
A real whisky enthusiasts bar with a fantastic selection. Lots of Scotch labels that you wont find at other so-called whisky bars. Staff was friendly, helpful, and knowledgeable without being snobbish or pretentious.
Cozy tiny whiskey bar
Pushy, short staff in an anemic atmosphere
This bar made our night, recommended by my boyfriend David who spoke highly of the atmosphere, the drinks and the service. I brought my cousins who are lovers of bourbon and whiskey. Patrick was our bartender, he was great, he gave us the best recommendations, out of excitement I left without my jacket and they kindly kept it for me until I picked it up, if you want a place to enjoy the entire night on the rock is the place.
No food. Small and expensive. Dont go its my new favorite Bar
Friendly staff.. excellent selection of scotch and whiskey... tasty bottle beers... a cozy place to relax and have a tasty cocktail...
Really extensive selection of scotches and bourbons. Knowledgeable and friendly bar tender. Good atmosphere - free of loud music.
Pros:This is one of the best whiskey/scotch bars in all of Manhattan with an extremely diverse offering of bottles that are normally hard to find - such as the Macallan 30 Year Single Malt. Bartenders are super knowledgeable and passionate.Cons:Unfortunately, seating is extremely limited and can have a crowd of old, drunk men which is a turnoff for the atmosphere.
Amazing whiskey bar. Staff was super knowledgeable and the selection is excellent.
Great selection of whiskey/whisky. The bartenders were friendly and gave some great recommendations. 400+ bottles on the shelf!
This place is amazing. Probably the best bar in all of Manhattan! (Limited exposure).Try Whiskey Ward as well if youre a fan of whiskey.
Ridiculous prices. Payed 25$ for Negroni.. while the Negroni was legit no reason to pay this amount.
Howie and the staff are really amazing people who I got to know over the years and you run a friendly business I recommend anyone to stop by and have a drink . Cheers🍻😎👍
Amazing whiskey and bourbon drinks. Patrick knew his stuff and pointed us to the correct bourbon and whiskeys based on our taste and experience. As a native Kentuckian, I was impressed. Highly recommend if you’re seeking a whiskey-based drink!
Great whiskey selection...
The barman is exceptionally knowledgeable and funny. Loved this place so much!
If you are a discerning whiskey drinker in search of good variety and a knowledgeable bartender, come here.If you are not that kind of person, don’t come here.
Drinks starts at $25 (straight or mixed) and its low shelf. $25 old fashioned with buffalo trace and it wasnt anything special. Seems like they subsidize the high end stuff by charging obscene prices and based on how much high-end whiskey the two bartenders were drinking while we were there, its no surprise why.
Great atmosphere, friendly and knowledgeable barkeeps; nice variety of whiskeys
I had the worst service with a bartender named Petrick in that place, the guy is a rude guy and keeps answering customers badly, I saw at least two episodes there when I was there, the others are not like that because I have been there before, but when I never met this guy, I came back, owner of the bar, check his staff so as not to lose more customers, because it wasnt just me who complained about him
Awesome place with a great selection of whiskey, knowledgeable staff and cozy atmosphere.
The whiskey selection, the bartenders, and the atmosphere is superb. Couldn’t ask for a better place to drink as a woman who loves whiskey.
One of the best, if not the best, whiskey & bourbon bars in the world, world-class selection and service, and an iconic and generous owner. This whiskey bar is for everyone from the most experienced whiskey aficionado to the first time taster. If you are looking for an average bar experience, with average drinks, cocktails, wine, beer, and such, OTR should still be your first stop for the evening, so that you may experience a classy Manhattan bar, taste and learn about a new single malt, and chill to Sinatra and good vibes. Any negative reviewers must have been confused by the whiskey-only menu and the inimitably friendly bartenders passion for whiskey, helping all who are interested discover whiskey and new expressions, and enthusiasm when sharing their deep knowledge and expertise. Slàinte Mhath!
Best selection. Knowledgeable bartender. Great place for a scotch
I love this bar....favorite bar in NYC. Small and intimate!!! So many cool, special people!! GREAT BARTENDERS!!!
Very good whiskey bar. Huge selection. Pay cash for 20% off.
Great whiskey bar, friendly bartender that knows his stuff!
This was probably the worst bar experience in my life.. $27 cocktails that come with the most unfriendly bartenders who cannot even crack a smile. Never again.
I’d give 0 stars if I could. For a bar that touts its whiskey selection, they literally turn people off whiskey. Saw patrons coming in asking politely for a X type of whiskey. Bartender was incredibly pompous and responded with such a terrible attitude. Will never be back. A single shot of the low shelf whiskey (eg jim bean) is $25+. Do not come unless you want to waste your money and your evening.
A world-class whisky bar, easily the best whisky bar in NY. Several hundred whiskies, and the selection changes regularly. Lots of new and interesting options, not just the standard malts you can find at any bar.The thing that sets On the Rocks apart is the service, which is on a different level than anywhere I’ve been. They have no whisky list, you chat with the bartenders about what you like, and they’ll let you try before you buy. No need to be an expert, they can work with all ranges of whisky experience levels. I’ve never been to a whisky bar with staff this knowledgeable and helpful, and it makes a huge difference!
Best whiskey bar in the city. There is no menu but with hundreds on bottles covering the range of price points, producers and styles, their bartenders (who have a very particular set of skills) will pick the perfect dram for you. Its a great place to experiment and enjoy great whiskey. They have a few cocktails and no beer so its really a dedicated whiskey bar done to perfection.
Lamar & Patrick are the best. The most intelligent and wildly more knowledgeable than anyone I’ve ever met about whiskey—and I know like every single one in city for better or worse.
Bartender is a no nonsense true New Yorker. Some people find this rude, but the truth is, this just isn’t the bar for them. If you’re a person who appreciates directness and great service/drinks… come here. No bulls*it.
I went to this place a couple of months ago, the bartender treated me in a derogatory way for not having an accent and being a foreigner, in addition to overcharging me for a whiskey, before requesting it, I asked him about the price, he told me 16 usd approx, when He gave me the bill, 40 dollars was charged to my credit card, when I asked him about the extra charge, he told me Welcome to the United States..A generous way of serving tourists.If you want to drink a Manhattan in Manhattan, this is definitely not the place.
Excellent neighborhood vibe. Dark and chill. Staff was professional and exceptional. I didn’t drink but my friends were really impressed with their whiskey.
We loved the owner and staff. It was such a great experience.
Great whisky selection and friendly knowledgeable bartenders
We have been searching everywhere to try Pappy and on the rocks did not disappoint!Patrick is very knowledgeable about bourbons and makes a mean old fashioned!Great atmosphere, and the staff was very friendly!We were greeted by the owner, Howard who was very knowledgeable in bourbon as well and made us feel at home. If you are new to the bourbon game or just enjoy fine bourbon this is definitely the place for you!
A great spot to grab a nightly cup. Staff is friendly and quality is top notch
Bartender was extremely rude, condescending, unhelpful, and very unwelcoming to some other guests that came in. They have a great selection but would highly recommend avoiding this, there are much better whisky bars in NYC, with MUCH nicer staff. We were excited to visit this bar, but the bartenders attitude quickly ruined the excitement. It was almost impressive how rude the bartender was, it takes serious skill or a complete lack of social awareness to pull that off.Updated in response to the owner: the bartender is a darker skin-toned, heavy-set, younger gentleman. Just look at the other reviews, he’s a bit of a liability.
Love this place. Very sexy place. If you like whisky, this is the place to be.
No food but had an amazing selection of bourbon. Great service. I would definitely go back.
Cool bar, friendly staff, extensive selection of top shelf liquor
Phenomenal selection of whiskey great place
Best bartender in town!
Great little bar offering a wide variety of specialty spirits.
I don’t wanna give reviews. I just wanna come back to this place again and again.
Howie is the best! He is funny and showed us great NYC hospitality!
The bartender ruins the experience for me. This was my first time visiting and the bartender (darker skin-tone heavy set guy I didn’t get his name) was incredibly rude and condescending and for what? It’s literately a whiskey bar if you’re too annoyed to get asked anything then find a more general bar - each drink is like 20 bucks it shouldn’t be that much of a pain for people to want to learn about whiskey.My friend who lives nearby warned me that he has an attitude but it was honestly just uncomfortable to order from him. I would have gotten more drinks if it weren’t for his behavior - it really did ruin it for me. Can’t see myself going back which is a shame since the bar itself was pretty cool.
Great advice from the barmaid! Atmosphere is nice, would recommend to any amateur of whisky( or anyone keen on discovering whisky).
Quiet and warm atmosphere plus a great selection of whiskey
Really dont know how this place has high reviews. Bartender completely ignored us for almost 10 minutes and wasnt even busy
Small Venue and overpriced, bartender seams to be more friendly with the regulars and can feel unwelcoming.
The person who works here were super rude and yells at me for asking to hold the seat
Great cute little bar!
Chill atmosphere. Incredible selection. Knowledgeable bartender
Come here to end the day in a good way. Nice place to hang out with friends and to just have fun and relax.
Epic whiskey selection, plus fun and super knowledgeable bartenders. I walked in expecting to get a quiet, classy drink with a friend and walked out having learned five things about whiskey and having laughed with the bartenders and other patrons. 11/10.
Unparalleled whiskey selection and awesome, incredibly knowledgeable bartenders. If you like whisky you need to come here.Also if you dont like whiskey, please steer clear. The place is very small and they only serve whisk(e)y. If you dont drink bourbon, rye, scotch or whiskey blends, youll be disappointed.
Patrick blew us away with his expertise and was still very humble about it. He was a great guy to talk to about whiskey and even though Im sure he has the same sort of conversations every night, he was enthusiastic about teaching me and my friends about various whiskey vocabulary and helping us explore new things. He also made the best Manhattan Ive ever had or likely will ever have, that is until we visit again.The whiskey selection was, and this probably goes without saying, incredible. You could go there every night for a year to grab a drink and never have the same drink twice. I had some of the best whiskey Ive ever drank the night I went and I didnt even come close to approaching the top shelf. Prices are also pretty reasonable considering how rare some of the bottles are.If youre in NYC and even think you even *might* like whiskey, I definitely recommend a visit.
Came to this bar late Saturday on May 20th 2023 to early morning Sunday on May 21st around late 11pm-1am-ish for the first time for my friends birthday and didnt think I was going to have such a bad experience for my first time the bartender greeted my friends and me after exchanging a few words he addressed me with a B word in a joking fashion after I made a light-hearted comment about being from NYC but didnt think too much about that comment. But, after that he passed judgment after finding out I live in a certain neighborhood in NYC and followed up by making presumptions remarks about my socioeconomic status/background from there which I thought was straight rude for my friends and me. Then the bartender crossed the line after I spoke with him politely about not being so familiar with whiskey and I used a word that apparently he felt was offensive to women when it wasnt even a word about anyone because it was just myself. The bartender proceeded to make a scene using extensive vocabulary in a belittling way in front of all of those sitting across the bar, which from an argument perspective did not any sense to me since he called me the B word earlier, which is a very offensive word just to begin with. He also felt the need to add that hes an English major, in a way to justify his actions when he was coming off condescending. The worse part is it looks like he had a friend or a local who enjoyed his little scene and just in general I thought that was unprofessional for such an establishment.Overall, a very unpleasant and terrible customer service experience for my friends and me and we will definitely not be going back there.Lastly wanted to add that the bartender looked to be tall, white, and bald- or with not much hair. Thanks.
Phenomenal whisky bar with incredibly knowledgeable staff and intimate, friendly vibe. The bartenders shared their passion (and expertise) of whisky with us, and felt like instant friends on top of it. Great selection of whisky, from familiar favorites to rare gems. Definitely a must for whisky fans!
The single greatest whiskey bar on the planet . Patrick is the truth . 400 flavors
Bartender was shady, rude and not welcoming. Im a life long NYer who cherishes bourbon/whisky cocktails. So, regarding paying my bill, I accidentally gave him $60 for a $27 dollar tab (ridiculous cost of one Old Fashioned btw) he kept $13 without asking. I let it go, since the place clearly needs customers & $$$. But decided to write my first negative yelp review because it was such a gross Bartender move. Same Bartender -- loved yapping loudly about the Nets when other customers are trying to enjoy their drinks. He belongs in a midwest sports bar. The good part: cozy spot and good music if you can hear it over the tacky Bartender. Please replace this guy, please.
Bartender was pretty rude. Was expecting a welcoming experience to whiskey, but was kinda looked down on for not knowing enough or anything.
This was the most expensive I’ve ever seen a pour of this, but it was still worth it. Their selection is outstanding.
Great selection of bourbon at decent prices (~$20/pour) for decently rare bourbons. They also have a vast selection of “unicorn” bottles if that is your desire. What made the experience worth it was definitely the service and knowledge of our bartender. The cocktails were excellent and made it a great pre-play drink.
Amazing. The bartender was super knowledgeable and friendly. Great conversation and great whiskey!
Cozy and quaint
The only bar in Manhattan wall all the whiskeys youll ever need
The selection is amazing and the service is second to none. There’s no menu, as they are constantly getting things in. The magic of this place is the bartenders: Patrick and Lamar. They know everything, about every bottle. They are your guide. You know how it’s said, ‘when you go to a library/bookstore, it’s the book NEXT to the book you came for (the one you didn’t even know existed) that you leave with,’? SAME but with whiskey here. They make a great whiskey cocktail (sour, Manhattan, Boulevardier, old fashioned) but this isn’t a cocktail bar. The prices reflect the selection and level of service. A special night out is guaranteed
Fantastic spot for a nightcap, date, or to catch up with friends. Never loud, great lighting and ambiance. Patrick will make you the best Manhattan you have EVER had. Do not have more than two. Nice to have a neighborhood bar where you are not hearing a never ending echo of vodka soda..... oda... oda. Also, very mixed crowd (in a good way).Great place to bring an out of town guest as well. They can go back home and say Oh I know this cool little whisky bar in NYC that no one knows about...
No only and excellent selection but impeccable service and knowledge from our two bartenders. A must in you New York Experience.
Had a fantastic experience here. Robert is SUPER knowledgeable and had some fantastic recommendations, in addition to making the perfect Manhattan. If possible, could you let me know what kind of vermouth you use for your Manhattan? Thanks for a great night out!
Is this the best whiskey bar in the world?Yes. Should you go right now?Also yes.Do yourself a favor - if you like whiskey (hell, if you like any kind of alcohol), visit On the Rocks. You will learn about whiskey, but you will learn more about yourself.
Do you like whiskey? Do you like small places with knowledgeable bartenders? If yes, go here.Update: Had the privilege of returning multiple times this past week and was not disappointed. Patrick and Peter behind the bar were excellent and even found whiskey that my wife enjoyed. Would give this place 6 stars if I could.
We stumbled uppon this place and we were so lucky to have found it. It is just great !
Great selection. Knowledgeable bartenders. Solid pours. Fair prices generally. Strongly suggest.
With more than 300 (!!!) Kinds of whiskey this is probably the best whiskey bar in the city. Come in, tell the bartender what you like and he will set you up. Its a whiskey experience you will remember. Chilled. Laid back. Friendly. Look for Josh.
Just left On the Rocks to get to our show and can honestly say one of the best bourbon bars I have ever been to. Great selection, fair pricing on some pretty hard to find bottles, and a knowledgeable and friendly bartender.
Decent selection. Wish they had a full list of the whiskeys instead of just the pours that are $55+. A craft cocktail menu with their own flair rather than standard whiskey cocktails would be nice too. Staff was friendly but my experience was pretty neutral. I have several great whiskey bars where I live and this one just didnt quite hold a candle to the quality in used to
Patrick knows his stuff and didnt steer me wrong. This is a serious whiskey bar carrying varieties other bars simply wont have. If youre not serious about whiskey or if youre not feeling adventurous, this isnt the spot for casual drinks. You come here with an open mind for a nightcap.
Let me start with, Im not a whisky guy. 348 Whiskies on the wall and I tried ordering a beer. I was promptly put in my place and ordered an Old Fashion. This was 11pm. By 4am, I had learned an appreciation at least for whisky. The owner took us on a bit of a tour with drink and conversation. I will definitely be going back here next time Im in town.
Great whisky selection!
360+ whiskeys from around the globe. Patrick is a gentleman and a scholar.
They know their stuff here! Place is pretty small, we were able to find 3 bar side seats for the 4 of us. Bartender will ask you what you usually like to drink then they suggest something that is similar to what you like and provide a sample. The idea is to show people that there are other good whiskey, scotch, bourbon,etc out there that are similar to your go-to drinks. We tried about 3-4 different whiskey before we found what we liked. Theres no bar that we have been to that does this and the bartenders are so knowledgeable! Definitely recommend this place for a cool experience. Oh yea, they only have a few vodka and tequilas, like 1 or 2 bottles each. Dont come here to drink those lol.
Amazing selection. The staff is knowledgeable and leads you through an amazing journey. We had a pleasure of meeting the owner. What an awesome gentleman!
Ive been coming here for over 5 years and have nothing but good things to say about the place. If youre a whiskey connoisseur (or want to act like one) this is a good place to test your knowledge. As mentioned, the bartenders are all wonderful people and willing to strike up a conversation with you (or leave you alone) if you choose to.
Drinks were great but very long wait for food
Great selection! Great place to meet up with friends.
One of the best bars in Manhattan. Im a native. Treat the bartender well, they know more than you.
Amazing whisky selection, and a friendly bartender who will serve it to you on the rocks (of course) or make you any cocktail you ask for. Pricing is simple: base cost of the spirit plus a small fixed price for making it a cocktail. Id recommend a Roy Roy or a scotch Old Fashioned if youre looking for inspiration 😊
Yup, I rarely give 5 stars to pub but this one definitely deserves it. I am a fan of wine and whisky. I was glad I stumbled on this place. It was Saturday evening with my friend and we just walked in after looking how lively it looked. I asked the bartender to give me something similar to bullet which is one of my favorites and he gave me a very good one. I asked for different one next time and it was better than the first. He seemed so much fun talking to customers and there are also side tables if you do not want to sit by the bar. I am bringing my hubby here.
My new favourite bar. Exceptionally knowledgeable staff. Friendly. Welcoming. Come if you love whiskey and want to expand your horizons. Cant recommend it enough.
Terrible service bartender rude unhelpful and hawkeyed me whilst drinking like i was going to leave without paying.
Great place if you like whiskey, bourbons, scotch.Staff is very knowledgeable and will help you out pick one, if youre starting your whiskey journey.
Perfect vibe--laid back and casual with friendly folk. Josh is an expert drink maker with whom you must let show off his talents with a Manhattan or the best Old Fashioned Ive ever had. All around a perfect experience every time.
Awesome little whisk(e)y bar. Cozy atmosphere. They have everything. They also have one vodka and one gin for those just coming along for the ride.
What a great little spot with a super knowledgeable bartender. Love the lighting and decor. Delicious old fashions as well. Will definitely be back.
Amazing whiskey bar with talented and very knowledgeable bartenders.
Wouldnt notice it walking by but great selection of whiskey, scotch, etc.
We had a wonderful time there. Get there early for a more intimate ambiance. Hope you will have the chance to discuss with Brent a genuinely exceptional barman.
Fantastic selection of single malts and blends from all over the world. Dont expect to find many of the commercial Staples youve become tired of seeing at every other place in the city. Youll find knowledgeable tenders here who are eager to educate and discuss the matter at hand. Not a particularly large place, but the experience is huge.
Great bourbon selection in laid back setting
Had a vast assortment of whiskey and bourbon, but the cost is outrageous, even for NYC prices. The atmosphere was also very dark. Literally. I get theyre trying to create an ambiance, but turn the lights up a bit
Whiskey specialists. Friendly and knowledgeable bartenders that will help you even if youre new to whiskey.
If you like whiskey, this place is worth gold. A quiet, intimate bar with a barkeep who knows whiskey up, down, and sideways. Id be in trouble if I lived here as Id become a regular and go poor.
Great little whiskey/spirit bar. THIS RATING IS LIMITED! The place is very small and only caters to hard spirit lovers! Best to go early with a friend or two to have a good drink and conversation with the bartender. IT IS NOT A PARTY BAR! Keep this off your group bar hopping schedule and spare us all the trouble... ;)
Great selection, but a much much better service!. Both bartenders are super friendly and knowledgeable, they seem very happy to help whiskey drinkers (old & new) to find new bottles to taste & experience.
Very good whisky selection!
They have a very wide selection. One if the best in the city! Laid back atmosphere in a small locale equals a quality place to hang out.
The only reason Im giving this an extra star because they do an extensive whiskey bourbon selection. Bartender couldnt have been more unpleasant and unfriendly.I asked to look at one of their bottles that Ive never heard of and as I was reaching for it when he brought it to me he pulled back and snapped I said you can see that doesnt mean touch.He honestly made me feel I was bothering him the entire time. Completely ruined the atmosphere this place is trying to create.Please hire people that want to be there and serve customers
Best whiskey selection in New York.
One of the best whiskey bars in Manhattan - its got an incredible selection, but even better the bar tenders are very knowledgeable. If you dont know what you want, ask them. Another plus - no TV, so perfect for conversations with friends.
Place is too small and echoey — everyone talking inside makes it hard to hear anything. Whiskey selection is normal
Great whiskey and bourbon bar. Well over 100 bottles, probably many more. Has an New York selection, as well as many from the rest of the U.S. and the UK. Bartender is pretty good and makes a good Old Fashioned and Manhattan in addition to recommending a bourbon.
Great evening in here, the bar tender made me a drink to ease me into the whisky drinking and by the end of the night I loved whisky! Highly recommend.
Cooper place!!!
Gorgeous view of New York City, amazing elevator ride going up. Staff was a bit rude and unhelpful as it was a bit confusing going up
Worst place bartender way rude shouts out 25$ minimum for drinks as we enter.
Cute bar. Excellent whiskey selection. Theres no menu, so you have to tell the bartender what you like.
Great local spot if you like whiskey, they have a large variety of options (a wall fill of shelves worth).
Arguably the best selection of whiskeys and bourbons in Manhattan, but the bartender is a bit of a blowhard.
Beautiful, warm vibe. Bartenders are always incredibly knowledgeable of not only their craft but of the wide world of whisky.
Ive been several times. Amazing whiskey selection, generous pour, fair price, wonderful bartenders. Bar can be nice and quiet or a bit rambunctious depending on the crowd, and definitely cramped if its filled to capacity. Would recommend and will return.
Very atmospheric, superb bartender
We’re big fans of Irish Whiskey and of this small and mellow speakeasy! The selection of Whiskey is daunting, but the bartenders are eager to help you out. It’s your new hangout.
One of the best whiskey bars you will ever find. Talented and knowledgeable bar tenders.
Great whiskey bar with an amazing selection. This might be the only place in the city where I couldnt sit down and I loved it. Tiny, tiny place with very limited seating makes it an incredibly intimate atmosphere. The bartenders are incredibly knowledgeable and will let you try most whiskeys (dont try asking for anything too high up there).
Very wide selection of brandy/scotches. Very pricey place
Extremely helpful staff. Small and quiet atmosphere, just want I want when sipping whiskey.