Reviews of 55 Bar (Restaurant)

Wayne Werner

This is a classic NYC jazz and blues bar. Authentic as the day is long. Small, reasonable and fun.

Shayma Aziz

An old and cozy (cash only) bar, with a great chilled vibes and good quality jazz and blues live music .. every night .. live music! Very cool hang friendly and highly professional staff! What more could you ask for?!

Roy Armstrong

Great music and drinks, but they don't take credit cards.

Nathan Peck

The 55 Bar is one of New York City's best spots for high level musical talent! Jazz, Blues,R&B,Funk and World Music nightly!!

carlondon london

Good live music

Bennett Bennett

Good place to catch up with friends. The bill was fair for the quality of the food.

Jefe Birkner

Small bar, lots of people, great, loud music

La Brujhada

Mike Stern concert today : exceptional moment, well worth a Blue Note evening

george fawcett

Nice litte music venue

erwin Kuperus

Love this place

Filipe Arruda

Good music

Diana Aristizabal Agudelo

Incredible live Jazz, Funk & Blues nightly in greenwich village. Since 1919

Jorge Diaz Santana

It's charming in it's own way, great music, good ambiance, slow service.. but worth it... not fancy whatsoever, act accordingly

Arjun Sagar Gupta

Tiny place, but heard Wayne Krantz, Ari Hoenig and Orlando Le Fleming. That's pretty boss!

Michael Ross

Comfortable with great drinks, awesome music, most friendly workers running the place. Highly recommended by me.

Love in Dust

Amazing, intimate jazz venue in NYC. Makes a big noise about its low cover charge, but we were made to pay $15 each in cash and told there was a two drink minimum (again, cash only). Worth it to see Mike Stern in such tiny, historic surroundings next door to the iconic Stonewall Inn. But not as cheap or friendly as it thinks it is!

Thông Nguyen

Witty, knowledgeable emcee ... Dive music bar with live jazz, neighbourhood vibe, good beer

Marcelino Feliciano

Great music, great vibe!

Angelo Busacco

Great place to see world class jazz!

Marcela G.J.

Spectacular place to go to, live music every day, incredible musicians and warm ambiance

Robert Bacchi

No frills bar which hosts outstanding musicians in an intimate setting

Juliun Kinsey

The live music and vibe of the bar is unlike anything I'd ever experienced before. You will enjoy it!

Jeff Bugz

They want you to drink but you can wait forever for an expensive drink.

Matt D

Always have a great time seeing Wayne Krantz here. Arrive around 9:15 for a 10pm set and you're likely to get front row seats. Cash only!

Iskn dr

Favorite jazz spot espcially for a good selection of fusion guitarists.

chi liu

Best bar I ever have been! Amazing music, friendly staff, comfortable environment, reasonable prices!

Gute Brandao

Great music

Don Seo

i would give 5 stars to the band that played that night, but the bartender was very rude and obnoxious. terrible service.

Dmitriy Goldgisser

One of the last great places to see live music in ew York with affordable admission price. Hope they stay in business for the next 100 years

Maria Comstock

Unexpected delight to pop in to see a show. One star off for making me move my seat between shows, which I wouldn't have minded except the group that I had to make way for had this guy who continuously spread into my personal space and was a total jerk.

Leo Smith on Bass

Consistently great music schedule! Great drinks! CASH ONLY!

Russ Duncan

Music and atmosphere so chill that you'll never see the world the same way again. Make sure you go with someone that'll enjoy it alongside you to get the full effect. Seriously life changing.

Marcio Zorzella

musician's paradise. mike stern every wednesday.

Claudia Orozco-London

This is a great place to listen to jazz!

Jonathon Casalou

This is one of my most favorite places in all of NY.

Raymond Gregory

Attended my sister Sweet Georgia Brown's birthday party thrown by her daughters. She is the Queen of blues who headlines there. She has been out for a while attending to some health issues. She was given a royal welcome upon arrival as the band played her entrance theme song. The food and drinks at 55 Bar was great and everyone had a great time.

Ed Chubin

A small bar with great music.

Nehemiah aka Neo

I love the atmosphere here.

Yili Jiang

Great music, okay drinks.Cash only establishment.

Joel Lawrence

The coolest place in the Village, Walk down the stairs and enter an jazz/blues bar that has been around for years. It can get very crowded, so get there early, you can sit through all sets, paying $10 but its worth it. Reasonable drink costs.. no food... excellent spot

Jorge Tovar

A nice little quaint jazz bar in the village. Great vibe and great music. Two drink minimum to hang out and support the musicians. It's worth it.

סער קינן

Came across this cozy cool bar with a great performance of a jazz performer named morgan . Excellent!!

Signe Matthiessen

Amazing little bar. With good drinks and live jazzy music. Very authentic.

Thomas Velazquez

Step above a dive bar but great place to hear live music. Cash only place with no food served, but they do have some signature cocktails. Good venue for hanging with friends. Have been many times to see my friend Stew Cutler (master guitarist) play there and the service has always been terrific. Recommended.

Banks Shah

The classic little jazz bar that has some really good talent come through.

Tres Williams

Do you like fusion jazz and don't care about a clean bathroom? If neither of those things sound good, don't go here. But for those who speak this language, this is a mecca.

Fab

Awesome evening with Mike Stern, Richie Morales at drums, Edmond Gilmore at bass, and a great great saxophone player, Danny Walsh, playing live in front of us... old style ambiance, really nice place but very very few seats... and no reservations so be there early.

Josh Baumoehl

Great atmosphere to enjoy authentic jazz. Always a great time with friends. Get there early to get a spot!

Carla Rupp

Great time! My friend Marcus Varella, a bassist, was in a band. Lauren sang and played keyboard. There was a saxophonist who also played flute. I ordered at the bar a delicious beer brewed in Long Island. I went and sat at a little table. Quaint. Nice atmosphere. Live jazz every night. Bartender was Kirby/Curby. Didn't get the spelling. He was friendly and also announced the musicians. Service was quick. Convenient West Village location in a lively area on Christopher Street. Near food and restaurants. I've been here before. Some bands have a cover charge. I guess the band I saw early in the evening didn't. Recommend 55 Bar. Lots of fun. You might even see well-known musicians drop in to play or see their friends. A good hang-out.

Ryan Kotler

Classic NYC music venue. Not at all fancy or particularly comfortable, but the music is amazing and the staff are pretty friendly.

Nathan Lilti

Great place and good music from every genre

Gerald Moss

Great music and mellow vibe, but please, get a few decent beers on tap.

Dale Alleson

I have been here around three times. Easy to get into and they always seem to have live music. Wednesdays are blues night. The place is long an rectangular. Lots of seating and tables and bottle service is not required which is nice. The drinks are decent and they have some unique gins and whiskeys.

Hiago Busch

Awasome underground jazz club. Great selection of bands and musicians. Small place makes you feel very close to the band, as you were in the stage.

Chad Chamberlain

Over crowded, cash only - really in 2019...? Um no thanks Music wasn't all that good.

Cristiano B. Moura

Nice place! Great music and atmosphere. Really enjoyed that!

Russ T

You can't believe the caliber of musicians that come through every night.

Fay Victor

Fave bar in NYC. Hands down.

IGNITE THE SPARK WITHIN

One of our favorite spots for jazz in the city. Kirby took wonderful care of everyone, and is clearly loved too! What a. delight, we can’t wait to return soon

Colin Thomas

Good music and beer got to have 2 drinks to listen to the music set

Brice Cook

Cool bar nice bartender.

Gail Miles

Attended my sister Sweet Georgia Brown's birthday party thrown by her daughters. She is the Queen of blues who headlines there. She has been out for a while attending to some health issues. She was given a royal welcome upon arrival as the band played her entrance theme song. The food and drinks at 55 Bar was great and everyone had a great time.

Jameth Mikan

Loved the location. Felt like I was in my grandparent's basement (this is a good thing for me). However, it was really a turn off after having ordered the two drink minimum for each set that the next band required a $15 cover (it was written on the chalkboard outside but it was very hard to see, we notice it as we left).The waitstaff pretty much squashed any good vibe that occurred. They were slow at the bar, not friendly, and quite frankly seemed to really dislike their job. After asking everyone to pay $15 70% of the clientele left. I understand how we have to support our artists I truly do but the whole vibe of the place turned me off. This experience made me reflect on how what it must have really been like back in the 60s to hear good music for very reasonable price or free. Now it's hardly possible because these locations have to pay so much in rent that all they care about is money. It's reflection of how our society has changed. New York is a gentrified money grabbing city and it shows by how other people treat each other in venues like this one.

Drew Seidman

GREAT music. Small space. Beware of the female bartender with the afro. One of the rudest people I've seen in service industry.

Jennifer Pesce

This cash only bar is quintessential, old New York. A no frills, cozy spot for live music (usually with a door cover charge). This tight and tiny venue is filled with tables, patrons and musicians who literally sit right next to you only to get up and then play right next to you. I wouldn't change a thing. Never change 55 Bar, we love you just the way you are.

Mary-anne Stuart-William

The musicians playing at this bar were excellent. We left however because the bar staff were incredibly rude. They wanted us to not talk to each other....at a bar....which I don't think i have mistakenly thought of as a social outing. Maybe call yourself a theatre if you want patrons to behave differently.

Violet Douglas

KJ Denart show was fantastic. Every Wednesday night.

diego ruiz

Mike Stern quartet and beers on a Monday with a full house. Great music, great experience

kelly crenshaw

It is a cool bar. The prices for drinks are pretty high and it is cash only. We had a very nice time but be prepared.

David Katzman

Cozy venue for live music and drinks

Christopher Beall

great little neighborhood spot and excellent music.

Ayana Lowe

The 55BAR offers a real NYC experience. It's a dive. It's cheap. It's in the west village and you can hear the best live jazz, blues and funk music found in NYC. I have enjoyed singing with my band at the 55BAR since 2001. !st Saturday of each month, I am wailing my lungs out singing blues, jazz and funk. This photo was taken by me on Thanksgiving. Scott, the owner of the 55BR invited me to his Thanksgiving at the bar. The best part of the evening was to watch Scott's 11 year old son fiddle with these plastic cups and within minutes create these whimsical sculptures.

Harold Maguire

Only been once, but there was some very serious jazz happening that night, and if that's happening every night then this is a spot and a half.

Andy Gingerich

Fantastic!!!

Mawg Spawn

Wayne Krantz. Amazing.

Gerald Iragorri

Great drinks and atmosphere. Awesome music.

Brenda Almonte

There was a band playing, it was awesome.

Merman Austin III

Great music, great vibes, great people, just remember to bring cash (it's a cash only venue)

Nydia Bissonette

Perfect hang over cure and honestly did not expect strip club food to be so tasty.. I had the shrimp cocktail & michelada! Marissa was the manager she was very attentive! They also have $3 beer specials! I'm definitely coming back next weekend

Agustín de Estrada

One of the most iconic jazz clubs in NYC. Despite its small size; the overcrowded corridor and the nicotine stains and smell on the walls and roof; it worth paying a visit to this place. Great music and greater atmosphere and good prices make this place a must if you enjoy listening to live jazz and having a good time. Do not expect fancy drinks or food.

arfie zoelphasa

Great jazz..lovely crowds!

Ronnie Burrage

Great place to hear great jazz and musicians. It's been around for a very long time and I'm glad it's still functioning. A real New York city atmosphere, nice vibes, fun and safe.

Eli Lax

The kind of place you dont visit once, you regular the 55 bar. Always the best in electric jazz/fusion. Everyone in the bar is there to get involved in the jam. I've met some of the greats here, from Esperanza Spalding to the 4 Metallica guys hanging out watching Mike Stern.. the bar tenders have this cool respect for the music and make everyone feel at home.. space is limited . Cash only... Wednesday and Thursday 10 PM are the hot times... njoy!!

Omri Ben-Chitrit

Grrat live music bar. Very fun environment

Adrien Chartrel

Just Whoa !

Robert Felice

Super chill. Just wandered by and happened in. Nice relaxing place to have a drink and listen to some great jazz. It was such a pleasant surprise I hope I can make it back again.

Christian Harrington

We heard that was a good place for jazz and we were not disappointed at all. Very charming place, great ambiance, great musicians. We are not jazz connoisseur at all, just tourists, and we were looking for a NYC jazz experience, without having to pay a lot, and to go to a premium club like blue note, etc. Goods beers and alcools, bartender friendly! Great experience!

Matthew Talavera

Awesome jazz and chill atmosphere with a nice bar besides the fact I played $ 20 for 2 shots of tequila

Rich

Great music, shame about the rip off cocktail prices

Antón Serrats

One of the very best music joints in NYC. Very cheap entrance cover considering the level of musicians that play here.

Olga Vorobyova

Ole fashion bar with everything rustic and vintage e ven bar tender. Awesome live music!

Amre Mhaidra

Nice place for jazz !!!

Audrey Doyle

Old-fashioned crummy dive bar with friendly atmosphere and GREAT live jazz. (Every night, I think.)

Montserrat Brendler

Great place to listen to live music. Very casual and affordable. I didn't have to break the bank to listen to amazing jazz.

Lukas van der Kroft

Love this place.

Germain Augsburger

Great live jazz music. Good drinks. Bar tender not very easy-going.

Kwame Willmore

Great place, awesome vibe, and AMAZING music. Definitely worth a try at least once.

Paul Scott

Our favorite place for drinks and live music. Bring cash, no cards accepted.

Tyrone White

Cool small bar with live music

Pritish Agarwal

Great music, cold beer. Can't ask for more

Peter Gold

Dingy dive bar on Christopher Street that I would typically avoid except I went to see Tangiers Blues Band perform. Subpar service.

Eric Perowsky

Great place to hear great jazz in the heart of the village..the bar keep is great too..tell him Ben’s brother sent ya

Poncho Lighthouse

Bartender John is the rudest person I've ever encountered. Very hostile to the customers. Music was good, but the filthy bar and terrible staff will be the reason I never come back.

Cassiano Gatto

Great music in a cozy environment. Staff is great. A must.

Taehee Kim

Nice bar, good music. Cozy place...

Deloris Blanchardv

I've been there more than ten times, my overall experience is 3.5 The waiters could be more polite for sure, I understand that they have to survive, and they couldn’t do it without money, but they could still smile. When I read bad ratings about the bar in the summer I felt bad about it, but now I understand that they have some solid problems need to be solved. But still my favorite

Punch Brother

Incredible music, great selection of drinks. A beautiful, intimate venue. Very friendly staff, too!

Anders Kargaard

Loved this underground place.

Alexia Baldarrago

I went to this bar when I visited NY in 2015 and a I had an awesome time: great band, singer and atmosphere, perfect to listen an intimate and fun concert of jazz and funk with really great musicians. That's why when I came back to NY this year I visited again at the end of march, and the presentation and atmosphere were really dissapointing, even that they were charging the entrance, I felt a little embarrased that I had recommend my family to go there. I think thay if they are going to have musicians that play their own personal music (don't have problem with that but it was super boring) they shouldn't charge you as a normal presentation. Also you could feel the pressure of the man at the bar counter to consume at least two beverages per show, they took our glasses without even asking first. That was my goodbye with 55 bar, I wouldn't come back again in another visit to the city.

Erkan Onurlu

I've been there more than ten times, my overall experience is 3.5 The waiters could be more polite for sure, I understand that they have to survive, and they couldn’t do it without money, but they could still smile. When I read bad ratings about the bar in the summer I felt bad about it, but now I understand that they have some solid problems need to be solved. But still my favorite

Ana Martin

The barman is a racist! However the music was very good . I don’t recomen this place becouse of the behavoir of the barman we ordered 2 beers and we paid 2 dollars of tip but he wanted more... finally he removed the beers!

Dmytro Ustianenko

My absolute favorite jazz spot in NYC

Brandon Petersen

Awesome spot 4 great music

Paul Charles Hoal

Amazing live band. Good drinks

Eduardo Vanzini

Lots of fun

Victoria Harrington

Sullen obnoxious women serving on the bar. Tried her very best to make us feel unwelcome. Place empty for good reason . Would not go again. Avoid unless there are other attractions on . Horrible

Sagnika Halder

Undoubtedly one of the best Jazz places in the Village

Miron E.N

Awsome music, in a small neighborhood dive bar.

federico borsotti

Wonderful music, good price 15 a drink. Go outside 2 minutes, go back in, the guy at the bar ask me to buy again in a quite pretentious way, I go out

Arthi M

A must visit bar. #100plusyearbar #livemusic #smalldarklovely #cashonly #goodlocation

Alessandro Belli

Super cool place to listen to some good jazz.... cocktails a bit overpriced!

Andrew Haynie

One of New York City's best jazz and blues venues. The early shows typically have no cover and feature some of NYC's most talented up and coming artists. The later shows provide an intimate experience with some of music's top performers. You may want to arrive early when legends play here to ensure you make it in to this venue.

Tony Male1

Great music ! great price on drinks.. actually watched a monster come in rough up the bartender! Then made him payoff couple thousand dollars .. damn

Ken Dickson

All I can say is 'Music, Music, Music' excellent!

Carol Weber

Best show ever. These guys should get a $200 cover. Mike Stern & his band gave us more than our $15 worth. Life-changing experience. The legendary guitarist performs a 10 pm set on Mondays. It's the best-kept secret in town. Such a chill vibe from the colorful staff. You can hang with band members after too. Two-drink minimum. Favorite part of visiting NYC.

Alf Lenni Erlandsen

You're paying for the music, the love and a beautiful tradition that very few places around the world can carry. Never a disappointing experience!

Toya Hutchens

All day happy hour on mondays! What else is there to say? Topsy's decor has a charming theatrical character to it. It's quirky yet trendy, and the vibe is warm and inviting. We ordered the Topsy's mule, Topsy pale ale, and deviled eggs. The mule was very tasty, the ale was decent. The deviled eggs come in 3 flavors (classic, bacon, or salmon) and on a bed of extremely fresh greens. Definitely would recommend the deviled eggs! The server was quick and friendly as well. Would come back again to check out their other items!

Lizette Roberson

KJ Denhert performed the night we came here. She and her ensemble were amazing. I come up from Jacksonville Florida to visit family and next time I come I will plan on a weekend she is playing there...she was that good! If she's not there I might skip the place.

MARI TANAKA

If you are looking for authentic New York old fashion jazz spot that haven't been touristic(at least weekdays not weekend), this is one of the places. I highly recommend to get there at least 30min early if you want to get good spot! I had an amazing experience once I sat on the front seat! If you have sensitive ears, don't forget to bring ear plugs. If you forget, put tissue like I do...

stormy shaver

The jazz was happening

Antony Vo

Awesome jazz acts at this bar. Often long lines but you can still hear the music from outside!

Julien Corbo

Best music, best staff. That's how good it can get. 5 stars.

friendly kristen

Somewhat bad service. We bought 2 $9 beers, and handed the server a $20 bill. We should have received $2 back, but the bartender just kept it for herself. We were going to tip anyways, but I want to make the decision about whether I tip of not. I want to tip, but don't take my money without asking.

Dean Seidman

Mind-bending jazz delivered in an intimate setting, can't go wrong with that combination.

Kaushik Viswanath

One of the last great spaces in New York for truly amazing music that won't cost you an arm and a leg.

Randy Gill

The music was great, the people were alright, the prices were horrendous. If you want the same beer for half the price, go to the Stonewall Inn next door. Better crowd and better prices, plus the same type of beer tastes better there (not sure why).

Brian Frankel

$15 for a. 2 song Set . Just saying if the show's over say SO. Paid for a show. Be honest.

Marcin Kosmenda

Live jazz in nice atmosphere!

VASILEIOS VOULTSOS

Underground jazz scene. Of you're a jazz aficionado a must-go

Myles Ellison

I really only came in here because I needed to use the restroom. And I am glad that I did. As to not look rude (and feel guilty about using them for the loo), my friends and I decided to order a drink before heading out. We ordered what was the newest addition to their menu, the Dickel Berry specialty drink. It was fantastic! It was sweet but you could still taste the whiskey. It was the right amount of alcohol for me as I started to feel it a little later.

Aly

Music spot!!

GIL grosman

2 stares only for the amazing performance. In this bar there is the most amazing performances side to the worst service in NYC. No tap water, no change( the waitress just take), no credit cards. After I was pushed outside by the host, he offered me a standing place behind the band and we took it, he did not mentioned that it is in the room on the bathroom. The are only water bottles there, 5$ which is too much

Keith Hughes

Love this place. Extremely informal, great music, awesome bartender. As o nice compared to the other jazz clubs in town.

Josh Hollander

I've come to 55 a few times over the last year, each night it's been a different act but every one of them good. It's a tiny space that will get crowded during sets, but if you wait it out you'll be able to grab a table before long and settle in - a must if you plan on staying for the whole show, which often runs until 1-1:30.

Eamon E

Best music venue!

Patricia Morrison

Great vibe.

Ed McLaughlin

Love this place for live music and drinks

Kevin Shomo

Cool! Good place to chill.

khurtsilava tamara

Great vibe!! Great music! Cash only

Art T.

Great little venue, bar , and awesome jazz music, and jazz legends.

Seth Berkman

Really fun spot. Expensive drinks.

David Bilboa

Excellent music and friendly staff - very informal and welcoming!

Jeronimo Matos

Amazing! Wayne Krantz on guitar and Nate Wood on bass. Bring ear plugs, it gets pretty loud.

Phillip Shook

Nice place. Was at an engagement party with an open bar, so who knows... But I THINK it was a nice place.

Jonas Kublickas

Overpriced entrance and 2 drinks per person is kinda outrageous

Stefan Björklund

Kj Denhert! Best NY experience, just do it!

Ádám Nagy

Awesome place!

Elizabeth Stumpf

Great place!!Music was fantastic ❤