Monkey Bar

Cute bar with really tasty (and pricey) cocktails. I got the Beijing Peach, or was it Peach Beijing? Anyway, I definitely could have sucked down more than one of those but managed to muster enough self-​control to stop after just one. The cocktail was comprised of jasmine tea infused vodka, peach and lime. Yum! The fries are decent if you’re wanting a greasy snack, and the simple green salad is also decent if you’re needing something a little lighter and healthier. The cheese plate is also a good choice, although I would pass on the arancini. The fried risotto balls served with a bit of tomato sauce missed the mark a bit in the flavor and texture department. Overall, the food is a little expensive for what you get. Our waiter was very pleasant and friendly.

Is it a bad sign that I forgot what I ordered even though I was only here a week ago? Looked through the pictures but none seemed familiar. Hm. all I can remember is that it was some type of pasta and that I when asked the waiter how large the portions are for a «small» and he said «it’s definitely not enough.» So why would you even have that as an option for customers for dinner? Then when the «large» came, it’s what I would have described as «small.» Womp.
The food here isn’t spectacular, but it’s not bad. Definitely overpriced for what it’s worth.
If you get a drink, try the Moscow Mule. It’s delicious.
Another tip** they charge for birthday desserts :(

I tried Monkey Bar restaurant as a part of a date night. Décor is very cool as well as the general crowd. Staff was excellent, great service. If I were paying myself I would rate it a 3 star max as the prices are way over the top but I was being treated by my handsome date who could very easily afford it all so price is not being taken as a factor.
Food was not to die for, nothing outstanding but good to pretty good. I had a lobster bisque for a starter which was 3.5 star, halibut which was a bit dry, scallops way too mushy, overcooked, only 3 star and the desert which I picked berry tart and tasted my date“s chocolate mousse respectively 2 and 3.5 star.
Overall 3.5 star experience.
If I were a drinker I think the bar is much superior to the restaurant and I would have rated it higher.

Loved this peaceful atmosphere right inside from the busy streets! The service and live piano player made the experience even better. LOVED the lobster bisque.

If we could still smoke indoors in restaurants, this would have been the place to do it. My one regret is I discovered this place after I left my job in the area. It’s like walking into a Mad Men set or better yet a time capsule to old Manhattan that I hear so much about. Drinks are well-​made and brought out promptly as is the food. Service is professional and discrete. This place is an institution.

While waiting for my date. I decided to venture in on my own on a Wednesday night. Great atmosphere and the people I encountered were all friendly professionals. The bartender offered me the menu on the spot and was very attentive even though I was a bit far from the bar. A nice couple decided to adopt me and told me to stay around them so I could take their spot when they left. We had a very pleasant chat and my date arrived soon after I sat.
The place was quiet enough to be able to hear each other. The cocktails were great and nicely presented. I loved the ambience and service. I would like to come back and try the restaurant next.

*This review is for a post-​dinner cocktail and app*
Who: The Monkey Bar is a ‘safe space’ for New York elites to get trashed. The bar area is filled with wealthiest of NYC’s silver foxes blowing off steam after a stressful dinner at ‘The Palm’ or ‘Maloney & Porcelli’.
What: The Monkey Bar is an establishment full of history. The décor of the venue is a cross between timeless class and a tropical vacation. The Howard’s from Gilligan’s Island would enjoy themselves quite a bit here. The Monkey Bar’s signature cocktails all play into a tropical monkey theme with ‘charming’ names such as «Monkey Gland». They have standard high-​end cocktail prices with beautiful presentation. In addition, I ordered the tuna tartare which came out quickly and was excellent.
Where: Midtown East
When: If you’re looking to people watch, I recommend coming on a late-​night weekday.
Why: The food. The drinks. The décor. The people.

Hotel bar with beautiful décor and fancy drinks. Staff is warm and welcoming and they’ve got a wide selection of wines. My only gripe with this place is that they close relatively early — Unilocal has it listed as 1am but it’s really midnight! :(

I’d give it 3.5 stars if I could.
This is one of those bucket list places I’ve been wanting to go to for years, but given that I live in NYC, something else always seems to crop up. I finally got a chance to go last night with a good friend, and overall it was a great experience.
The décor is cool. There are monkey murals all over the place, old fashioned red and white checked tablecloths to give it a kitschy feel, and lots of beautiful dark wood that reminds you you’re in a NYC power restaurant.
The servers are very nice. The bartenders took care of me while I waiting for my friend. I had a champagne cobbler (a little on the sweet side), and the seasonal Red Delicious, which actually turned out to be much better than I thought, given it’s made with cachaca (not my favorite.)
Where I have to take stars off is the food itself. The «bread basket» consists of hot delicious rolls that were maybe one of the highlights of the meal. I had the clams casino for a starter, and they were fine. Not great. They didn’t taste super fresh and there were too many dry breadcrumbs in the stuffing part. I had the smokey spaghetti for a main course, and it was lacking in flavor. The small shrimp and scallops were cooked well, and the spaghetti did have a smokey flavor, but I felt like it should be a bold, zesty flavor, not a sweet, watered down flavor. All in all not the best meal.
Dessert was the cookie plate to share – again, nothing to write home about. Cookies were warm but dried out. One of them, the chocolate one, was too dry to eat on its own. Maybe would’ve been better with coffee.
I’m very glad to have tried this place. I’d love to go back to the bar and hang out, as it had a fun, welcoming vibe. I don’t see myself going back for the food unless the kitchen has a makeover.

Took my parents here after dinner! Great spot! Live piano music, good drinks and fun atmosphere! Great spot to bring out of towners! And pigs in a blanket on the menu! #winner

It brings be to great sadness to have to write such a despicable review. For years my father has held meetings and dinners at this establishment. My friends and clients have dined here. I «thought» it was the perfect nook for my partner and I to experience after seeing the Rockefeller Christmas Tree. Boy, was I wrong and should have trusted my instinct.
When we arrived to The Monkey Bar we felt we were in the perfect place. The ambiance was rich with Christmas decorations that blended into it’s beautiful décor. Our table for 2 was perfectly set in a corner booth in the main dining room. The table was even available upon our arrival time from booking with our Opentable Account.
Unfortunately, this was the only exciting part of our experience. Everything went downhill from that moment. I understand we looked similar to tourist that evening. Due to our site seeing holiday preferences. The insulting part is to be treated as foreigners.
We had to hale a bus boy for service after waiting 13.5 minutes for a hot tea. This is because we received no introduction from the waitress nor wine sommelier. When the waitress did finally come to our table. We received no apology nor name introduction. I still don’t know her name, but she was petite, with slicked back blonde hair, and blue eyes. She was extremely rude in her demeanor, not attentive, and short with her words. Even after her introduction, I was put in the situation to ask for the tea again. (It’s been now 22 minutes now and very uncomfortable.) The whole experience was far from enjoyable. The list goes on with even dining forks missing when entrees were served, and having to wait… and so on! I do not need to explain any further we catch the drift.
We may not be regulars, but for 2 people we gladly enjoy a substantial dinner of quality and substance. This is not what we received. It was disappointing and I reached out to the restaurant the next day to give feedback, and no one has contacted me. I do not understand where the miscommunication is, but for a restaurant of it’s age and caliber it’s expected to be fixed. I will gladly update my review with better feedback and positive comments. If a manager contacts me to describe and find a solution for the staff or hospitality practice.

The food and the ambiance was A M A Z I N G!!! I ordered the crab cake (appetizer) and the smoked spaghetti for my main course. I’ve never even heard of smoked spaghetti but I’m glad I chose it. It really had a smokey taste to it. They smoke the flour then they use it to make their spaghetti which is made in house. It came with scallops and shrimp. I also had a couple of champagne cobblers. Service was excellent!!! Best dinner place I’ve been to so far. I can’t wait to go back.

Came here with a friend on Tuesday night. The bar was crowded. We sat in the back. Drinks were very good. Loved my cocktail. However food was not as good as drinks. I had a duck it want bad but not the best I’ve had. Loved the décor

I came here with a co-​worker for some Moscow Mules. They were delicious. I wish we would’ve stayed longer but I’d def like to return.

ok. this place is simply fantastic. Do you need a place to escape all the street noise and fuss? This is it. excellent cocktails and snacks. it was such fun, and shad such good cocktails, that I came back later in the evening

Four of us went on a Saturday night. Very solid and friendly service from the bartender, host and waiter. Beautiful looking space too. And the food was on point — risotto, pasta and fish special.
Knocking one star off for very modest portions and really high prices. This is not a pop in for a quick meal kind of place — hopefully someone is treating you or it’s on the company credit card!

I came for RW. Granted, that is probably not the best indicator — but unlike some other fine spots that WILL serve food from their regular menu on their RW menu, Monkey Bar did not. Furthermore, they will be extremely particular about absolutely no substitutions to this menu (I happen to come when I’m doing a pretty hard sugar detox diet).
The food was mediocre at best. The appetizer — a simple raw crudo, was actually very nice, except there was what looked to be a dairy based sauce on the plate (that I was able to avoid), though the waitress promised the sauce was a just a simple oil and vinegar. It really annoyed me that she did not get that right after I explained my strict diet. Her response, when she asked how everything was later on, was to basically ask if I were allergic.
It really matters not if a customer is allergic to something or not. If a customer does NOT want something, she should NOT have to tolerate it! I did not appreciate that attitude.
For the main, the only option I could get was the chicken breast on what was supposed to be spinach — but was so brown, tough and salty, it might have been kale. The chicken was dry and salty, but substantial. I did get a bit extra spinach, since I could not have the faro it came with.
I had to skip dessert. At another RW spot, I was able to substitute that for an extra side dish, but not here — that’s just blasphemy!
Service, needless to say, was extremely subpar for the establishment. When me and the first of 5 guests arrived, the waitress seemed anxious to serve and checked in on us three times. Once our friends arrived, however, service became very slow. Finally, as suggested above, I did not like the attitude.
The setting is cool and feels fun. Too bad the unhappy server doesn’t let you enjoy it. Of course, coulda been a fluke day for her.
Prices on the regular menu are just laughable considering how poor the food was off the RW menu. I should think RW is a chance to entice customers to come back. It did the entire opposite for me.

This review is for drinks only. The service was great and I love the ambiance. It’s a very fun twist on a classic, white tablecloth, red leather booth sort of place. The Nuts & Rye, a whiskey cocktail, may be the best cocktail I’ve had in the city and I don’t say that lightly. It’s become one of our staples.

J’ai pris un Burger assez bien installé au Bar. Le plat était bien fourni et bien réalisé avec un service impeccable et très convivial. Les cocktails sont également très bien exécutés. Je recommande.

Classic? Yes, I will give it that.
Yet, are there not a ton of other classic bars in New York? Yes there are.
Is Monkey Bar the most overpriced bar I have ever been to? So much so that I was literally floored by some of the pricing.
THEY CHARGE $ 15 FOR A GOOSE ISLAND MATILDA. You might as well just say F-​you to the customer.
$ 24 meatloaf sliders? Thanks for four small bites to the tune of $ 6 a bite. Worth it? Not even close.
Oh can I get a bourbon? Sure, here is a shot at twice the price you’ll pay anywhere else.
My recommendation on Monkey Bar? Expense accounts only need apply.
I was literally pissed off writing this, just remembering how overpriced it was.

Fun, classic bar in midtown. The clientele is loud, and some are fairly professional (and pretentious?), but the drinks are strong. Super strong. And expensive, so try to come one someone else’s dollar, you hear?
Cocktail menu is fairly large, but they can obviously make you the classics, too. I really liked the Spicy Pete (12 y.o. scotch, falernum, ginger, lemon and orange juices; $ 16) and Nuts & Rye (rye, coffee heering, maple syrup, bitters, orange; $ 18)