Calico Jack’s Cantina

Came here for happy hour with my old high school friends bc we heard there were three dollars margaritas and dollar beers. While this was not true (thus the loss of a star) we still had a blast trying the $ 6 margs frozen and on the rocks. The waitress even gave us a Marg and a few teq shots on the house and we had a great time by the open wall window booth. It was sort of empty but as long as you’re in good company, the place was great!

I do not know why there are bad reviews. Good food. Kate the bartender wasvgreat. I will be back.

I went to this establishment with a party of 15 people 30 minutes ago. After having a tab that exceeded $ 400 and drinks we were treated like common street thugs. We were in the establishment since 6:00pm and was enjoying ourselves. Until we were approached by someone who was apart of the security team. He stated they have a dress code that starts whenever the boss tells him. At the time myself (female) wearing a fedora and 1 male who was wearing a truck fit style hat were dancing and was told in a rude and aggressive manner about removing our hats. As l surveyed the room l noticed other patrons who were wearing hats as well and the same security team member did not address those patrons. The security personnel then proceeds to touch me and state my party is waiting for me outside. I have never felt so disrespected and physically threatened in my life. I requested to speak to the security personnel manager and after speaking to his manager, this person approaches me again and states your done.
I completely understand abiding by policy. Unfortunately this dress code was not posted or stated to us as we entered and spent our money. In addition we received multiple responses from various team members regarding what the policy is and when it is enforced.

Mediocre drinks… Very strong but don’t taste good. The food was bland and nothing was special about it! Try the jalapeño poppers! Would return because of the affordable prices

I decided to check out Calico Jacks since i was staying in the Hilton across the street on a last minute stay. Food was decent. DJ was Ok, Lighting effects were more like a high school prom vs a dance club. i guess you cant expect more when you go when there is no cover. It looked like everyone was having fun. I had no issues with the bar but then again I was drinking beer.

A lot of friends and I go here for their Thursday night happy hours since people we know keep winning the happy hour.
In general, the bar staff seems pretty unhappy with their jobs. They gave quite a few of my friends attitude when they could not hear their orders. It wasn’t necessary to be so rude. The music was okay — mostly pop music and even though people told me they were requesting songs constantly, the DJ never took any requests. It seemed that he was just playing his own music.
The drinks there were okay. If you win happy hour, the drinks are half price, so a pint was only $ 4 and a frozen margarita was about the same.
They don’t really have a dance floor so you have to make your own and try to make your own fun.

I really enjoy going to calico jacks for their drinks specials and long nights of dancing with friends. However, this establishment needs to do a better job at serving their guests at the bar. There is no way you can only have 2 bartenders with a full crowd of people on a Saturday night! It took me 20 minutes to get the attention of the bartender to order a drink.

The waitresses need to have better attitude, sorry if they don’t like serving customers but that’s what a waitress does. Food is not worth the trip, had the steak quesadilla one side was burnt. And the meat had chunks of fat, which made it worse. The drinks are ok, but would expect more liquor in my fish bowl specially at that price.

I came in here with my two girl friends during happy hour and it actually wasn’t packed. It’s a nice place; we each had quesadillas (I had the steak, they had the three cheese and chicken ones,) and they were all good including the nachos. We got a blue fishbowl, and it was pretty big! The waitress was really nice and didn’t charge us for our patron shots at the end of the day, which was really great of her considering we were ordering drinks after stuffing our faces.
The music is nice, and I got a very positive vibe from everyone there. We were sitting at a table and not at the bar, which seems to always be crowded, so no complaints here. Definitely coming back!

Only came here because a friend won one of their daily Happy Hours, so all our drinks were half off. On an early Thursday night the bar side was PACKED, literally PACKED. You had to fight your way through all the drunken young professionals, like fighting for the last spot on a subway car. The customers and overall vibe reminded me of college bars where fresh 21 year olds are getting completely sloshed, and there’s dancing of all sorts going on… at 8pm.
My friend and I got situated at a standing counter where we just wanted have a few beers and catch up. Because of all the drunks walking around we were constantly getting shoved and having people run into us. Not to mention practically yelling at each other to have a decent conversation.
Needless to say, this will be my first and only time here. Didn’t try the food, but don’t want to chance coming back here again. If you’re looking for a loud, rowdy, college-​esqe night, this is the place for you. It’ll be an unforgettable night. Or, perhaps a forgettable night… depending on the number of Monsteritas you consume.

Food is ok. Its simple Mexican food you eat so you won’t get trashed later at the bar.
DJ Music is good, crowd is live and packed Friday nights. I had fun. Bartender girls were all nice not stuck up. Signup on the website and get great happy hr deals.

I agree with the other reviews. This place is overrated. They charged a $ 5 cover charge after 10pm on Friday. I went because of my coworkers. The drinks were good. But the food was okay. There was a hair on my wings… lol. The waitress was nice and the music was okay. The crowd is definitely young 18 year olds so it was a bit wack. I personally don’t think its worth the trip unless you just want some drinks.

This place and the management that runs this place is horrible. They sell $ 35 wrists bands for open bar and literally make drinks with a drop of liquor. DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME OR MONEY going to this place unless you want to pay money for fountain drinks you can get at McDonald’s. Their bartender spend more time shaking their backs on the bar counter instead of serving drinks. I’m pretty sure all of the bartenders including the flamboyant fella probably took their bartending classes over the phone because they have no idea how to make proper drinks.

Came in on New Year’s Eve during the day for lunch and drinks. This place really never disappoints. I got the chicken quesadilla with fresh sour cream and pico de gallo. I wish guacamole was an option but nevertheless it was still a great meal.
I know it’s just quesadillas but I love Mexican food. Their margaritas are really good as well. The waitress fumbled a bit and ended up breaking the glasses all over the counter and apologized by offering us free drinks which always patches my wounds. Haha *not that I actually had any!*
Anyway, if you’re in the area, skip the typical trip to McFadden’s and stop by this location. It’s also a great place to bring your coworkers or employees if you’re looking for an after work spot to hang out and drink. Cheers!

Dear Calico Jacks, I regret to inform you, you are not a lounge. You are a Mexican restaurant. You are a lame midtown spot that people only go to because they work in the area and you have drink specials. Your are not some meat packing district hot spot.
I’ve never been in a Mexican restaurant that you can’t wear boots in. My friend who was dressed fashionably, coming from his job in a Manhattan Museum was turned down because of his boots. You heard me right, boots are forbidden in a Mexican restaurant l?! Oh but wait, they are not so forbidden, because we saw a less melanated person walk out to smoke wearing similar boots and walk right back in! Just more of the same discriminatory profiling that I expect in this part of town. Needless to say, I won’t be back.

I’ve decided to write a review because it was really a real disappointment last night for me and my friend! They told me that I was the «lucky» winner and I can have the open bar free from 9−11pm and my guests pay $ 20. Anyway, the drinks that the girl bartender gave to us tasted like pure juices… No alcohol at all! But what’s most annoying is those girls bartender pay no attention to you, they just ignored you to slower the time limit.
The DJ always play the same music every Friday’s nights as well!!! They trying to turn this place into a club, but the set ups look more like a sport bar. Anyway, save your money for a more comfortable seatings and bartenders who really want to make you have a good time, not some stuck up bitches.

It was rather dead when my coworkers and I decided to celebrate our accomplishments this year with our teens! Woohoo!
Anywho, it was definitely not jam packed, a few of my coworkers had on sweats and sneakers– so clearly it’s a laid back kinda spot.
Wednesday happy hour was decent, bartender made the drinks strong, but wasn’t really interested in serving our group, which you’d think with a medium to large group you’d want to be somewhat interested in our drink orders.
The bartender also had trouble answering questions. Every answer that came out her petite mouth was, «idk». Which was super freaking annoying.
Would I come back? Slim chance. But I suggest going to experience yourself. Maybe I came on the wrong day. *shrugs*

ONE HOT MESS OF A BAR!
$ 5 cover to enter and $ 25 for unlimted drinks
The drinks were well mixed and strong considering the price that was being paid for. Fair note the block is heavily patrolled by cops and be wary if your drunk.
The place starts off somewhat empty and builds up over time and gets really packed i mean where you have to shove people. The music is decent and the music keeps up the mood. Some of the reviews state that the music sucks but when i went the people were really getting into the music that was being played by the DJ. The people tend to get super out of hand as the night goes on. Overall decent place if not just keep going back to the bar.

Came here twice in one week, first night I came it wasn’t busy think they were about to close but it was Very nice service; the fish bowl margarita hit the spot after working as a host at another restaurant in the area !
2^nd night on Thursday it was awesome ! Good music good vibes good fishbowl margarita

Came here last Saturday.
Couldn’t stand more than 10 minutes in there.
This is one of those Midtown bars that charge you $ 5 (cash) to get in for no reason.
Go to Turtle Bay for that, seriously. At least you can get to the bar there and have fun.
Bar/​club area was crowded as hell. I couldn’t even get to the bar, due to the inevitable amount of creepos.
Restaurant area was relatively well lit compared to the other half of the establishment. Eh.
The fishbowls — which are what they are supposedly known for besides the girls dancing on the bar — are just ice and food coloring.
This is not a place I would ever choose to visit again.
I didn’t even wanna go there in the first place.