Came here on a Saturday around 4pm, not expecting it to be so crowded. There were large groups of people everywhere and many people seemed to know each other within the separate large groups. After standing near the bar, we were able to grab a seat in the middle for our second round. We took in the atmosphere and enjoyed«people-watching» around us. The décor is great and I loved the bathroom«ship» doors. The large windows allow a good amount of light to come in, adding to the lively feel of this place. From the 4 drinks I tried(all between $ 11-$ 13): Spiced Colada was the best. Frozen heaven. The Rusty Knot was frozen too and minty and wasn’t my favorite. The Dark & Stormy was strong and pretty good. The Mai Thai was strong and really, really good! Both the Dark & Stormy and the Mai Thai are not frozen. If I were to come back I’d stick with the Mai Thai and Spiced Colada. It was expensive for 2 rounds for 2 people plus a pretzel dog(around $ 65 after tip) but I think we’d stop back in and switch to beer after one tiki drink next time.
DJ M.
Classificação do local: 3 Forest Hills, NY
I can’t hate on a place that has 2 for 1 Busch beer, a fab bartender who has stories and skills to kill for(shout out to Victor — he’ll spell his name for you if you make him mad enough according to legend), or solstice party with free tarot card readings. I love the beachy boat theme and the fun décor. It’s a great place to see the waterfront and to take out of town guests who want a unique vibe from a bar. Also, if you are hungry I HAVE to recommend the tacos and potato wedges. Shape up and ship off!
Linh N.
Classificação do local: 3 New York, NY
It’s a-okay. I came late. My friends got me beer. So I didn’t have to deal with the bartenders. Watch out for couple making out at the pool table though. They might just poke your eyes out, literally, with their cue sticks. Also, they apparently didn’t oblige my friend’s polite(I assume as he is a very nice guy) request to watch the Knicks on the one dingy TV since the football game nobody was watching had«play-off implication». Good for a couple of drinks?
Bradley O.
Classificação do local: 5 RIDGEWOOD, NY
I first came here 10 years ago and totally forgot about it until one day biking past I was like. Damn I could go go a Mai Tai so popped into this cute little tiki bar and grabbed one while sitting in a compfy rattan char surrounded by fellow gays on a Sunday after noon. Doesn’t get much better then that. :)
Petranna j.
Classificação do local: 3 Brooklyn, NY
I think it depends on when you go. I went 10pm on a Friday night and it looked like a frat party. Granted, a frat part in Montauk, but nonetheless… my friend goes here all the time around sunset and loves it. So on her recommendation, I give it three stars. It depends on what you’re looking for… if being wall to wall with 20somethings in a beach shack type of place is what you dig, then this would be the mother lode. I didn’t stay for drinks or food – I squooshed past the youngins looking for my friends and squooshed right on out. They passed it up for a quieter place down the block.
Kristian J.
Classificação do local: 3 Breinigsville, PA
If you’re on the west side highway and need a quick drink, might as well stop in here, espeically if it’s happy hour — 2 for 1 beers. Decent amount of seating for a dive bar, young crowd. Throw in a hotdog and you’ve got a decent time for sure.
Kyle M.
Classificação do local: 4 Manhattan, NY
Really cool and chill place to grab some frozen drinks. For drinks I recommend the rusty nail(a frozen mojito). They pour lime juice in tecate cans. It actually tasted really good! This place is a retro with a little but of dive mixed in. If you are looking for a laid back spot that plays good music and has some really cool drinks, check out the rusty nail.
K E.
Classificação do local: 1 West Village, Manhattan, NY
Used to love this place and come often for friends birthdays and when you need a good local bar. Came in the other night and was much emptier than usual, and i understand why. The bartender was rude and obnoxious to my friends and I despite us ordering a lot of drinks and food. The kitchen closes at 2 so we tried to order a few extra things at 145am and the bartender refused to serve us. We were a big group there for a birthday celebration. Very frustrating to see a great place being torpedoed by moody bartenders.
Alexandra L.
Classificação do local: 3 Manhattan, NY
The Quick: Solid 3.5 stars with fun décor, pretty good food, and great drinks. The Details: You walk into the Rusty Knot and feel as if your transported to some local bar out east in Montauk or some old beach town. The décor is very relaxed and beachy, to match the fun drinks served in coconuts and tiki cups. There was a weird damp smell, but hopefully that was just a one time thing. The music unfortunately does not match the beach theme(love me some jimmy buffet) but the vibe is still great. The crowd is upper 20s-30s, very relaxed with some playing pool, some casually drinking, and others taking shots. Overall a good mix. Our group ordered a ton of food, and I’m happy to report it was very decent. Better that average bar food, with a plethora of options. The chicken quesadillas were average, the spicy potato wedges were really good, Guac was good(as always), pickles were strangely amazing, and everyone seemed to love the pretzel dogs. The Damage: Beer was cheap while the tropical drinks or a little pricey from $ 11-$ 13… There didn’t seem to be a happy hour special. Overall a very cool spot very different than what I’m used to especially in the area. Would return
Julie S.
Classificação do local: 3 New York, NY
Total dive bar(think sticky floors) but fun scene for a Friday night out. Very small, bring your crew after your done with the meatpacking scene a few blocks away.
David B.
Classificação do local: 4 New York, NY
This place makes one hell of a frozen mojito — and I typically will avoid the drink at all cost. Great pool table — I hear it gets crowded, so best to check out off cycle and be sure to do a pickle back shot. Feel free to thank me later.
Mallory M.
Classificação do local: 1 Cornwall, NY
Don’t waste your time! We arrived for happy hour a half hour after they opened. We sat at the bar where the bartender kept his back to us for fifteen minutes without saying one word. We finally got up and left without ever having one interaction. An utter disappointment to what seemed like a good time.
Laura I.
Classificação do local: 4 New York, NY
Nautical. Hipstery. Dive. Order a rusty knot and a pretzel dog. The guac is pretty good too!
Carolina S.
Classificação do local: 4 Brooklyn, NY
I am a complete kitsch fanatic! And I especially get weak in the knees when it comes to nautical themes! I come from the NW where you can find nautical bars a plenty. However, when it comes to NY, it’s like a needle in a haystack! Boy was I ecstatic when my husband took me here. He always knows what I will be head over heels with. There was everything I am looking for, from 60’s plastic covered chairs, plastic mermaid in my boozy slurpee and do my eyes deceive me… spaceage felt on the pool table! I dabble with pool but I am far from a fan. But if we were talking about this table, I might consider a league. Ha! The only down side is that this place does not have those dive bar prices I am looking for. It’s super pricey because of the neighborhood. I still had a Tecate($ 5) after my cocktail($ 11) and played a couple rounds of pool. The clientele is also not the old people and rockers that I would like but hey perfect spot for an afternoon drink with some buddies. Plan B come here for happy hour M-F 4−7…or a Tuesday when it’s happy hour allllll day!
Mike G.
Classificação do local: 5 Manhattan, NY
Dive-y without being dirty. Boozey without being messy. The pretzel dogs are good, the fish fillet sliders will make any catholic girl go bad. Sunday funday is a must; all other times, please don’t hog the juke!
Laksen R.
Classificação do local: 3 New York, NY
Came here to grab drinks while we waited for our number to be called at the Spotted Pig. Pros: Good drinks, friendly bar, fifty cent pool table and free jukebox with a very long list of songs already queued up. Con: All the draft beer was warm and tasted off.
Evian D.
Classificação do local: 4 Queens, NY
Every time I come here, it’s a different experience. The first time, it was completely empty and we enjoyed our two for one drinks and just chatted with the bartender. this was in November 2013. Then, we came for a friends party, and the place was so packed, we literally tried squeezing through people and yet after about 20 – 30 min we never made it to the bar. After elbowing so many people and getting elbowed ourselves we decided to crawl out and escape. The third time we came was for happy hour and we had just made it before it started getting packed. We managed to take advantage of the two for one special and the strawberry slut shot! Nothing special, but what is really unique here is the décor. It’s like if you were on a submarine/Hawaiian bamboo boat of some sorts. The music is a quick stroll on memory lane(if you grew up in the early 90s) and I won’t complain to that! :) I guess depending on the day it can be very relaxing and chill, or very busy and crowded. Not a first, second or third date type place, but definitely worth coming and seeing what it’s all about!
Monica T.
Classificação do local: 3 New York, NY
I was confused at what this place is supposed to be. Its really nice outside, but when I walked in, it’s loud, crowded, tiki-is(from all the tiki cups) and smells a bit… given the location, so out of the way, I wondered who is their target audience… but after a while I just stop wondering and let it be, a dive kinda bar that isnt too divey! They have a pool table right infront of the entrance, and some seats and a bar that is super crowded… not sure if ill come out here since its so far away but good times…
Adam S.
Classificação do local: 4 New York, NY
The Rusty Knot can get VERY crowded and with one bar and 20 minutes just to get one drink, especially on Sunday evenings(FYI primarily gays on a Sunday late afternoon/evening for a gay promoted party, though the Rusty Knot is not only a gay bar). At other times, it can also be very quiet and relaxed. With a maritime feel, The Rusty Knot delivers specialty cocktails such as the Spiced Colada(not my favorite), the Singapore Sling, The Rusty Knot(Tecate with an add-on), Pickle Backs, and a Moscow Mule(my favorite) — some of which are served in a tall Tiki cup. Even with long lines, the bartenders are still nice and manage the bar the best they can. They serve various fast food as well, including a Pretzel Hot Dog, Tacos al Pastor(Pork Tacos) and a Sloppy Joe(which I love). I just wouldn’t recommend asking the bartenders for lots of food when they are super crowded. At the end of the day, it’s a great place to meet up with others and just hang out. You may even see a celebrity or two at the Rusty Knot from time to time.
Nadia Z.
Classificação do local: 3 Brooklyn, NY
It’s kitschy to the point of cheesy. But it’s simple and unpretentious. Beach bum décor, small bar, couple booths and low leather«deck» chairs. Pool table. And REAL working jukebox. Beer, cocktails, of course. Abita on tap. Light food fare, just enough to go with drinks. Chips with chunky fresh guac — niiiiiice. Pretzel dogs are good with beer, too. View of the waterway is fantastic.