The Upstairs Pub

This might be my new favorite bar.
The space is huge. The bar itself doesn’t have a ton of seating, but it’s in a cavernous room that has an impressive mishmash of seating options. Couches, tables, booths. There’s the fountain, which is large and has two sides to it. The décor is eclectic in a basement storage area way, not in the faux-​eclectic way of Applebees. There’s a wooden tub, pig statues, fake plants. I get why Jesse said it looks like a Midwestern bowling alley. It’s kind of got that vibe. The biggest bonus is that it doesn’t feel at all like you’re in Midtown.
Drafts were $ 5, which feel like a great deal in Midtown. Plus, there was tons of space. No one bumping into me. No struggle to make it to the bar to get a drink. The bartenders were friendly, as were the guys sitting at a bar, who seemed like regulars. It was very dark in most of the room, but there are big windows and the tables in the back are well lit. And you have access to anything you can buy in a NYC deli. The bathrooms were cleaner than I expected.
I used to have a client in the building, so I was here all the time and could have used a drink all the time, but even though there are signs everywhere saying there’s seating upstairs, I never checked it out. It’s now a regret I have in life.

This place looks like a Midwestern bowling alley, and I used to love it. But last night, the bartenders told me they «didn’t need my business» because I asked for a skunked drink to be replaced with something drinkable. And when I pointed out that I’d brought a large crowd to the bar and was a regular, the bartender said «So you think you deserve a free drink?» SMH.

So yes… this definitely is a weird place. I came here on a weekday after work with a friend and it was almost entirely empty. There were a couple regulars and thats it. The bartender seemed to agree the place was «interesting» and said it was more crowded on weekends. One reason I am bumping up my review is because the bartender was really cool and fun to talk to.
Their happy hour specials were good– but the selection was average.
Perhaps this is not a fair review as I came at a «non peak» time. But given the location and the general vibe I was getting, I do think there are many better options out there. It would be cool if they did a makeover — for one, they need more light during their happy hour as I do not think they are getting much demand during the work week at this time. Right now, it is basically a night club that is waiting for the weekend happen — perhaps if they had a different vibe during the week they would improve their numbers. Just a thought.

This place is somewhat of a hidden area. It is above the Everyday Gourmet Deli. Happy hour specials consist of buying 2 pints or pitchers and getting the third free. Thus, it would be best to go in a small group. The bar is dimly lit with neon accents and loud music in the background. Beers on tap include Hite, Blue Moon and Sam Adams. Thus, with the pint deal, each pint costs about $ 2.5-$ 3.5 (this is an approximation). All right deal, but not great. there are places where you can get $ 3 bottles. They also serve cocktails and wine. There’s plenty of lounge area type seating and booths that can seat about 4 people. There is also a bar area, long tables, and LCD TV’s throughout. On this Friday, they offered an open mic karaōke so feel free to ask the DJ to play your favorite song. Overall, good place to enjoy a drink with friends and some food. You can buy food from the deli downstairs and eat it upstars, but there’s also a bar menu. Wings are Korean style (double fried) and served with a side of daikon radish. A little pricey-​one dozen for $ 16– but they are a decent size. Flavor is not quite there though. Would come back if I don’t feel like dealing with crowds.

First of all, it’s not really a pub. In fact, it might even have a different name now. It’s more like a Shanghai nightclub hidden upstairs from a deli. The music was way too loud and the service was not exactly terrible, but kind of… awkward. I swear the waiter never came by except the moment one of us gave up and headed to the bar. And they have this weird happy hour where you get buy two pints or two pitchers and you get the third free, but you have to order all three at the same time. Who wants three pitchers of beer at the same time? I guess it would work better for large groups, and the seating is certainly spacious and set up for big parties, but otherwise, I’d give it a miss.

This place is so weird but I love it.
It’s above a deli, first of all. My boyfriend and I found this place a while ago on google or something weird and it took us a long time to figure out where it was. It was a hilarious surprise that it’s essentially just the upstairs seating area of a deli. It’s HUGE. There are a bunch of booths and a massive set-​up of tables and chairs, like a banquet hall. The best part is the one area of benches and chairs around a table that seats a group of like 8. That is the only place you really ever see people sitting, there’s barely anyone in this bar ever. Anyway, all the furniture in that area is made of like, polished driftwood. And it’s by a waterfall pond thing. I’m not making this up.
We always arrive when there’s no one in the bar but a group taking that table (damn) and some sketchy people drinking way in the back. Sometimes there’s karaōke kind of? People sitting at the bar can sing? You also have a view into what is either an office or a separate karaōke room, my boyfriend and I disagree on what it actually is.
The happy hour deal seems incredible but we’re never there for happy hour. I guess we just like that this place is weird and hidden and it’s never crowded. You could throw a party here for like 50 people, it’d be like a banquet with deli food and possibly karaōke. I’d say go for the happy hour for sure or if you really just want to drink basically anywhere and you think you and your friends would also find this place hilarious. Get the table with the waterfall.

This place is like a hidden gem. It took me and my friends a few minutes to find and when we finally went upstairs, we had to do a double take to make sure that we were at the right place. The bartender assured us we were and that there was a happy hour (2.25 for blue moons). Honestly, the ambiance is kinda sketchy. It was close to empty and really dark like a club, but instead filled with tables. There were tv’s everywhere playing different sporting events/​fights. We got our beers and settled down into a booth.
The bartender was great, very attentive. She even gave us a pack of pretzels since we weren’t sitting at the bar. The place is a little quiet which makes it perfect for having a conversation with someone over a drink or two. You can bring food up from downstairs, and my friend got a pizza… it was decent.
Honestly, once you get over the shadiness of this place, it becomes the perfect place to hang out. It only loses that one star cause of the ambiance and lack of food. I was really craving some fries after all those blue moons, but besides that there’s nothing else wrong with this place.

Just found my new after work/​avoid the crowd spot!
Happy hour ends at 7, which is a shame because that’s when I get out of work… but I sure wish I could! aA few beers on tap, a bunch more by the bottle, house wines, well drinks, and a small top shelf selection. But who cares? It’s cheap.
You can bring food from downstairs (by the pound hot buffet food) and come watch the game.

I’ve got to add this place to my very short list of great New York bars. The only reason I don’t give it 5 stars is I’m afraid that’ll bring the crowds! It’s rarely crowded (yo! That’s a good thing!)
Teddy, the bartender and Sammy the manager make you feel part of the family. The beer is cheap and the pitcher & wings special the best deal. Just finding the place makes you seem like part of a secret club!
It has odd hours, based on the weather and the whims of whosever working that night. So if you’re coming from aways, you have to take your chances. I’m there at least once a week, so say hi if you show up!

There’s no other way to put it. It’s a bar (no hard liquor but there is soju) on top of a deli (it’s the deli right next to Sophie’s Cuban).
During the day the area serves as a place for the patrons of the deli below to eat. Come evening however, the lights are dimmed and the bar is staffed and the drinks come out!
It’s a pretty chill place. It’s not an impressive space… definitely not a date spot. Cheap drinks by way of the $ 2 drafts ($ 3 bottles, $ 5 wines, etc.) are the allure of this place. Additionally, they have a simple menu consisting mainly of fried things –vegetable tempura, scallion pancakes, fried chicken, etc. and you can pretty much order anything from the deli via the waitress.
It’s not fancy, in fact it’s very low key and almost a bit campy. However, would I go back? Probably. You really can’t beat $ 2 draft beers.

$ 2 Draft Beers, $ 3 Bottle Beers, $ 5 Wines and $ 6 Cocktails
Yummy Wings, and Sandwiches!
It can’t get any better. Best kept secret in Midtown NY. Best Deal in NY!