HILO

This place is ridiculous and a joke. My friends and I are locals and we went out for the night, walked by Hilo and they said why don’t we come in for a drink on them… We go in to check it out and they leave… They bait people to come in by promising drinks and lie! (When I confronted them they laugh in your face, just slimey!!) The bartender was extremely rude and cocky as well, I refused to even stay or put any money towards this place. There are a lot more bars and clubs in the city with MUCH better service and a better atmosphere.

One of the worst clubs I’ve been to in New York. The music is terrible, the bouncer is always on a power trip even though there is never a line of more than 4 people, and the bartender once told us a credit card minimum was «two» drinks.
If you want to have a good time, definitely head anywhere but here.

Cool bar with great music to dance to. Got there right before 12 and there was no cover. However after 12 guys have to pay $ 20 to get in. Pays to be a female in NYC! Drinks are expensive. I ordered a vodka soda and it was $ 13

Had A Great Time. Music was Live, waitresses were courteous & professional. I really D
Felt like they deserved the tip. Will definitely Be returning again

1:30am sat nite = no line, no cover, real DJ (actually mixes) playing good top40/​hip-​hop, nice non pretentious bouncers, not claustrophobic crowded, and free wifi… in meat packing. UNICORN DISCOVERED FTW

Came here for a friend’s party. We went all out so it was a lot of fun going VIP but obviously $$$$. They played great music all night and the service was good (because we were paying through the nose for it). I would come back during a regular night, I think. The only thing that was off putting was that I left the club literally for a minute to make a call since my cell had no reception there, and when I tried to come back in through the same door, I got sh! t from some bouncer for it. I said, «I literally mentioned to you that I was coming back a minute ago. Also, I’m at a table with 13 other girls…» when you’re paying a bazillion dollars for bottle service, you would think you wouldn’t have problems coming back into the lounge… later, the security guy apologized and said typically you can’t come back through the «exit» entrance and they would make you go out and around and come back through the front entrance… despite this silly rule, the music was off the hook for a saturday night and we had a fantastic time dancing the night away.

There was no wait to get into Hilo and there’s a free shot perk with a Unilocal check-​in, but other than that, my experience wasn’t that great. It wasn’t bad, but there was not much to make me come back.
The basement space is a mix of a lounge/​dance/​bar. Even on a Saturday night, the place didn’t seem to have many people, the music was mediocre, and some of the bartenders didn’t know how to make cocktail shots. My friend and I used our Unilocal check in for free cocktail type shots, and we both got ice in it, which was really odd. The dj also played ok music, but each song played for such a short time before transitioning to the next. I didn’t think it flowed well.

The venue is fun and lounge-​y, but the booming music brings a somewhat odd crowd. Regardless, the alcohol is okay priced, so if you’re looking for something without a cover and have a group looking for a place to go, this works.

Not a fan of the music, crowd, or ambiance at this place at all. Too much rap and oldies that you can’t even dance too and then EDM is awkward injected into the mix. Can get very ratchet and no one is dressed to impress (yes that is a legitimate complaint for me). The place kind of feels like an underground storage, which could be on purpose, but I feel like it was because management didn’t want ot invest in construction and décor. Better than Solas and most of the places in LES, but definitely wouldn’t go to Meatpacking District for this place.

Went here and it was a terrible thing to do. I consider myself to be a very successful individual and I carry myself accordingly; however, the security staff felt otherwise. I am a 25 yr old African American guy and experienced disrespect and racism to the fullest capacity from the African American security staff. My friends and I (who were predominantly black felt displaced). From the moment we stepped in HiLo it felt as if the security staff had something to prove.
Long story short, my friends and I came here to celebrate my girlfriend’s birthday. Again, from the outset the security staff treated us like 2^nd class citizens. This proved to be very true when my 2^nd set of friends tried to enter HiLo. The security staff would not let my 3 African American friends in. After a bouncer and I had a brief miscommunication because I needed to speak to the lady collecting the money near the ramp. The bouncer told me I needed to exit the club and come back through the entrance in order to speak to the lady who was downstairs on the same level I was on already. I then explained that the my friends at the door weren’t supposed to pay because we ordered a bottle special and the promoter agreed to let my 3 friends in for free (at 1^st they weren’t going to let them in because they weren’t apart of a «guest list». I assume they met the black quota that night because I did not mention a list when I arrived). After getting the message across and telling the bouncer about himself in the most polite way. The next bouncer near the lady collecting money stated «THAT“S WHY I DON“T LIKE LETTING BLACK PPL IN». Dude you shouldn’t have come to work today then YOU’RE CLEARLY BLACK.
He was clearly wrong and then reverted to being a racist. Again, the security staff was African American. And to be quite honest the only reason my friends eventually got in is because I explained to the promoter we would not buy the bottle special he offered us if the bouncer didn’t let my friends in.
Honestly, I didn’t even want spend the money anymore and wanted to leave. But it was my girlfriend’s birthday and she had no clue what was going until I told her in the morning.

Had a girls night out here with 8 of us. Had bottle service. Waitress was very nice and accommodating. Bouncers were really nice and friendly. Good dancing music, none of that EDM stuff. Eclectic crowd. Place was pretty packed as the night went on. Only thing was that the place was located below ground so I didn’t get any cell phone service. You get a free shot of the day with your Unilocal check-​in.

Cute bar in the meat packing district. Looks closed when you roll up, like gates down on a store front. Bouncer is out front directing you down a few stairs. My honey paid 10 bucks to get in, not sure why, wasn’t that packed and seems like a very low key spot, but whatev!
Its like split up into 2 areas, so the front has a giant bar, taking up the entire side, opposite of the bar is booth seating for bottle service. Small coat check. Back area… has a dance floor and more bottle service seating, bathrooms are at the end of this area.
Bartenders are super nice! Drinks were pretty good. EXCEPT when my honey went to close his tab, bartender GAL (not the bartenter that had been attending to us!) charged him for 2 extra drinks, not sure if this is there scam and assume everyone is too twisted to realize, but my honey was not, and was aware of exactly how many drinks should of been on his tab! He mentioned it to the bartender but she dismissed him immediately, rather then have a problem, he paid for what he was charged for. Please don’t try to scam me HILO, its uncalled for and quite grimy for the meat packing district! They also ask for ID, along with your credit card when opening a tab which is WEIRD to me, since we’ve never had to do that before.
Music was pretty good. As it got closer to closing time, dj started losing his mind playing music the table of older people next to us wasn’t even enjoying, when I made a request, he said «management wont let me»…oh well… time to go… how do they saaaaaay…“GIRL BYE“
Overall, had a great time with my crew… birthday girl enjoyed herself!
Oh yea… kind of too hot in there, some dude smelled like he was spoiling in the heat… hope they have AC in the warmer months!

Went here for a friend’s birthday. It’s located in the meatpacking district in NYC, so parking is a challenge (I was lucky and found one around the corner). It’s located near other bars, so if bar hoping is your thing it’s in a good area.
It’s located in the basement, which was not an issue as it has high ceilings, multiple exits, and nice décor (see pic with accent lighting in the ceiling). They have a coat check, a large bar, and nice VIP seating area in the back.
Security was polite and very respectful, even after someone in my party got realllly trashed (wasn’t me). The crowd was mixed and ready to have fun. Drink were average price, $ 12-​$ 16 depending on what drink you got.
The only thing I could have done without was the $ 10 cover charge for men, but mind you I got there very late. Not sure if there is a cover when you get there early. Also, they held on to my credit card and ID to open a tab at the bar. I’m uste to just leaving my credit card, I don’t really like leaving my ID with random bartenders, but I had no problems at the end of the night.
All in all, I would go back there and recommend this pace to other. So have fun and party safe…
Happy Unilocaling

Pros: on a Saturday night, girls get in free, guys pay $ 10.
Coat check is cheap,
No line to get in
Not too crowded
Drinks have alcohol. Didn’t buy mine, so don’t know the price.
However, when something cheap, you get what you pay for.
Cons: DJ has ADD. Granted I only stayed until 1am, however he was not playing full songs. Each song that he played was from 30 seconds to 2 minutes. To me that is not enjoyable, but specially when I like the song.
Sound system not that good, I prefer booming bass.
DJ played a lot of hip hop, some top 40 dance music, but a lot of the music was from the 80’s and 90’s (he actually played Michael Jackson/​Jackson 5) through about 5 to 10 years ago. Maybe he was saving the good stuff for the late arrivals?
Décor is dark and dingy.
If your looking for a place where you can dance with your friends, not spend a ton of money and not deal with the club scene, than this is the place for you.

Awesome place in the meatpacking district! I love the atmosphere and the vibe of this place — the lights synchronize to the music and they play a lot of good dance and top 40 music here.
I’m used to bouncers and nightclub staff being asses in NYC but not here. Everyone was super friendly and nice. The bartender remembered our names and would ask us by name what we wanted to drink. He even bought us a round of drinks toward the end of the night! We also had a blast dancing here. But be careful, the dance floor was pretty wet and slippery from people spilling drinks.
FYI — When we came on a Friday night, I believe it was $ 10 for guys and free for girls. Not bad for NYC

Really liked this place!
Reasons why?
1. Usually you check out places and they’re categorized as bar/​dance club only when you get there it always leans to one and lacks the other. This place definitely offers both the dance club and the bar scene.
2. The venue is pretty big, on the first end there’s a bar (everyone who wants to just hang out and talk) and on the other end there’s a dance floor. There is also table service on both of the areas.
3. Music was great, it wasn’t limited to just house. They played anything from MJ to present day hits.
4. Staff was really friendly!
5. Price wasn’t too bad, I paid $ 12 for a Rum & Diet Coke.
6. The bathroom situation was pretty good compared to other clubs. It’s located on the other end of the dance floor so it was perfect. There was never a line the whole night when I was there.
Note:
1. Girls got in for free but guys had to pay a $ 20 cover charge.

That place has no following, they just let in people who can buy bottles and that’s not the way to run a successful club. Let the cool people in. KNOW THE BALANCE.
Also their bar backs are not too bright. I had a full drink on my table with other people, and they just took my drink and their drinks that was about ¾ full… got up to dance for a minute, and I turned and my drink is gone. When I approached the manager about her overly enthused bar back she acted like I was lying, then sent her Goon bouncers to chase me away.
He said he didn’t want me to harass her… so i was talk to her, and they Chump it up to harassment, are you kidding me…
Is this how you treat people and your customers. I pay $ 20 to get in, like $ 15 for a drink, and here comes the drink stealer… great system… forget watering down the drinks, this system they have is even better…
Keep you drinks in your hands at all times, don’t even sit it down in front of you… i’m serious.
Hilo get a manager that knows how to do her job, stop hiring amateurs… that don’t know how to handle a door…
AMATEURS!!!

Absolute worst experience. Paid $ 20 for a ticket to Hilo for their Halloween party. Waited outside for over and hour in the rain, twice, and never got in. Complete rip-​off. Never buy a ticket to an event here.
It just makes me angry that the dozens of people in line who didn’t get in effectively had their money stolen and there’s nothing we can do about it. The bar will still be busy tomorrow and everyone just has to accept Hilo’s greedy policies.

The least douchy club in the Meatpacking district. All the other clubs in the area have this «I’m better than you» aura and that’s not something I’m willing to put up with everytime I go for a GNO (girl’s night out). My girlfriends and I were all a bit skeptical about coming here at first, but we were rest assured that it was solid.
The place looks nice on the outside, but it’s really easy to miss amongst all the other places there. The bar itself is pretty big. There’s a long section for the bar and an adjacent dancing area. We arrived at about 11 pm and it wasn’t too crowded, but it wasn’t too empty either. Just the right amount of people. We had enough room to dance in a big circle (it’s GNO, you gotta do the whole girls dancing in a circle thing, amirite?). Plus, the DJ was killing it with the oldies, so we all had a really good time.
My only complaint is how disgusitingly packed it gets towards the end of the night. At 12:30, it was like sardines in a can. You can barely move. Leave some people standing in line, bouncers! This is a serious fire hazard!
Drink prices are okay. Typical for NY. When we got there, my friend bought us all a round of vodka shots. She didn’t tell us she asked for the cheapest vodka they had, so when we took the shot, we all gagged. It was pretty gross, did not go down smoothly at all. I got a Yagerbomb with a couple of friends later on, and it was a HUGE disappointment. I HATE when you can’t drop the shot glass in yourself. You can’t make a Yagerbomb by mixing Red Bull and Jagermeister in a cup! It’s not a bomb, unless you drop something and make a big splash! And I had to pay $ 16 for it. What a rip off.
Overall, good place to dance with a group of friends. I recommend coming earlier in the night so you can breathe.

Decent place for dancing. Dance floor gets crowded, but there’s table service on the bottom area. Music was decent, but not great. Expect to hear all your favorite top 40 hits.
Bathroom lines were terrible. A few single occupancy rooms, and the same line for men and women.