Rise Bar

Omg. So hot. And I totally mean the temperature. Can someone turn up the ac please? Thanks.
Edit: Thanks for turning up the AC! Amazing bar.

Some pretty bitches come to this bar. The music is fine, I guess. Drinks are $ 8 after 9pm. I hate when girls take over gay bars. They be putting their jackets and purses on the bar stools. No one can sit or order drinks, WTF!!!

This Place Has Great Bartenders. But The Owner Isn’t Friendly. I’ve Gone To Rise Many Times. But On The Last Time I Was There With A Friend. The Owner Walked Passed Me And Bump Me. Didn’t Say Anything? And Had A Smile On His Face. Not Cool! Ted You Should Be More Friendly To Your Customers. Melvon C.

And no, I have no idea who the girl was or the situation that called for the DJ to spout misogyny. But blatant bigotry is reason enough to not spend my money here.

Very chilled bar early in the early evening. Sat at the bar and both bartenders were attentive and friendly. Had good videos playing and just a really nice vibe going on. Would definitely go back and hang out again.

I wanted to like this place. A new bar in my neighborhood, with a good space, good flow, and good music. But I’ve been here three times and each time, getting a drink has been a slow and painful exercise. Whether the bartenders outright ignore my crew, acknowledge then forget, or eventually take an order, spill a drink on someone and then charge us for it– three strikes and a one star review is in order. I hope they hire some friendly guys who can run a bar. I want this place to be fun and successful, but paying for slow, weak, spilled drinks from aloof staff won’t fly in a neighborhood with many, many better options. So here it is: my first negative Unilocal review. Based on my experience: sink.
Epilogue: I wrote this entire review while waiting for a bartender to take our order. I finished before he got to us– on a quiet-​ish Thursday night, while sidled up to the bar. We left, and thanks to the pros at Annabelle, a block away, the night was redeemed.

Great space, friendly crowd. I went with a couple of buddies just after happy hour ended on Friday and the crowd was still going strong. The music was great, loud enough to get your groove on but not to loud that you couldn’t carry on a conversation. So why only 3 stars you ask? Well we were sitting at a table ordered drinks from a very nice cocktail server, he inquired if we wanted to start a tap with a credit card, when we said no we’ll be paying by cash he said that we would have to pay first before he went and got the drinks??? Not a big deal but it was a bit off putting. I’m trying not to take it personally if this is truly the bar policy so be it but come on folks what’s to say that the server comes back with my drink, what recourse do I have then?
Just saying…

LOOKING FOR MR. GOOD BAR, or, Not Ready to Take My Mother Here
Dear Messrs. Blair, Sutter, and Arenas:
This place has potential. Keep working on it.
I keep reading adjectives in the press about this bar, from you and reporters, like — «polished,» «high-​end,» «sophisticated,» etc. Gentlemen, high-​end bars don’t serve drinks in plastic glasses — not late at night, not at any time. This place seems like it’s just another mediocre cosmo-​pouring GAY bar where no one cares a whit about it actually being a GOOD bar. (The bartenders are nice, however.)
Also, what’s the use of having a DJ if you are subjected to the constant squall of the hand dryer blasting every 10 seconds? Try paper towels. Yes, some of them go onto the floor, but you can hire someone to clean the bathroom and also sweep up the occasional real glass that will fall. And it’s really uncomfortable washing and drying your hands while the whole bar looks on. (Perhaps you could have found another way to design the place to discourage sex in the bathrooms.) Also, install hooks for coats under the bar and tables since you don’t have a coat check. Winter is here.
I will admit that this place isn’t filled with trashy blind-​drunk borough kids like Posh, or DEAFENINGLY LOUD like Flaming Saddles and the other HK places (even ASC dashed our hopes for a cool «East Village» bar in HK) but I fear Rise will soon homogenize if you don’t set your boundaries and decide what clientele you would like to cultivate — in the long run. The not-​young (35 and above) have money and time to spend, and do not like the other HK bars. If you get a loyal clientele they will keep coming back. Young guys will be on to the next place as quickly as the next trick.
And before you hire the same old boring drag queens, lip-​synchers, and start having «best butt» contests or start featuring «hip-​hop nights,» why not hire a German songstress and an according player? Or other unique acts? For example, they have live old-​timey jazz musicians and a real piano at The Rum House, AND well-​made cocktails.
Good luck– I’m pulling for this one.

So I understand this place just opened, but I don’t know what just happened. It’s really a cute space and I love what they have done with the décor and ambiance. My complaint comes mainly against the strange service we received from the bartender. I came in with a mixed crowd and something just seemed really off about the way we were treated. Before he even got a sense for the group dynamic, he was making all kinds of inappropriate comments toward us and made everyone feel very uncomfortable. On top of that, drinks were mixed up. And at the close out he held up several different credit cards and said «Which one is yours?» I hope this was just a Tuesday night kind of fluke. :/

Love this new bar, congrats big time to John Blair, Beto Sutter, Ted Arenas, and everyone on the new RISE crew. This space mixes just the right amount of elegance with party and beautiful lighting to welcome all patrons. Gay, straights and everyone in between will love this place.
I look forward to seeing this place evolve with its shows and offerings over the next few months. I encourage everyone to stop in and experience this for yourself.

I am absolutely LOVING Rise Bar!
The vibe, the music, the bartenders & the drinks. Great seating layout, roomy.
I’m really happy it’s in Hell’s Kitchen!
Eddie

Finally, a classy STRAIGHT bar in the ‘hood. No knock on the gay bars, but it’s nice to have a new place where ladies feel welcome.