Southwest Porch

This place so so chic and fun. Perfect place for drinks and lunch with an amazing view of the park. One of my favorite places to grab a drink

Came here last night with my boss and a coworker who were in town from Chicago. It’s been a few years since I’ve worked around Bryant Park, but when the weather is nice it’s really a gorgeous park to spend some time in. Great for relaxing, people watching and feeling as if you’re in a movie.
We originally were thinking of going to Bryant Park Grill for lunch but it was super crowded so I suggested Southwest Porch instead. I had good memories here of tossing back a few cocktails/​beers years ago when in the fall they’ve got firepits and warm, cozy seating… considering they’re outdoors.
Gone is the mostly wood furniture from years ago and now tables and seats are colorful metal — primary colors errwhere. I dig it, gives the space a fun and modern feel. I’ve never actually eaten lunch at Southwest Porch so I was excited.
Their menu isn’t a long or complicated one — but this is to be understood. It’s a small kitchen — duh. My boss ordered their Blackened Chicken Sandwich which came with citrus marinated lettuce tomato, aioili mayonnaise on a «sweet torpedo» roll. My coworker ordered their Southwestern Grilled Hearts of Romain salad — it came with toasted croutons, Parmesan Reggiano cheese, spicy roasted garlic anchovy dressing and she ordered some grilled chicken to be added (it was an additional $ 7). I ordered their freshly ground 8oz turkey burger with Vermont cheddar (GO BERNE! Lol… I had to…#FeelTheBern), arugula and instead of chipotle mayo I requested their olive & mayo tapenade. We also all shared an order of fries served with ketchup.
My companions seamed pleased with their food, but I really can’t speak to it. My turkey burger was actually pretty damn glorious. The meat was really juicy, well seasoned and pressed with with tons of fresh herbs and amazing flavors. Flavors like sea salt, freshly ground pepper and garlic jumped at me intensely — this was a really well made turkey burger. No dryness here AT ALL. It was really fantastic.
I was a tad nervous about the olive & mayo tapenade — but this was really delicious and had some interesting almost-​citrus like Mediterranean flavors. Really good stuff on both my burger and with the french fries which were perfectly crisped to a nice golden color and didn’t fee greasy which is always a plus.
Yeah. Food here is a little pricey for everyday lunches — but maybe once a month while it’s nice outside? Hell yah. Do it. Beers here are def overpriced and their selection is nothing to write home about, but for midtown? it’s all gravy… they also have swing seats! Who doesn’t like a good swing seat?! Lol. 4 Unilocaly Unilocal stars overall.

Horrible experience! I sat down for drinks and some burgers for an early dinner, and the waiter spilled a drink all over me. The funny thing about this was when the bill came out and the drink were not comped, like whoops sorry I spilled your drink on you is enough. When I said I was confused about the bill and the spilled drink, there response is the funniest «will pay for it to be dry cleaned». I will dispute this on my American Express for the whole amount of the bill just because these people have nerve.

Good bar for open air drinks after work. Nice ambiance and good people watching. Would not eat there, unless you just want a snack.

Came here for lunch one afternoon and let’s just say I won’t be back. Don’t get me wrong the food, well at least my Turkey Burger, was delicious but for 13 – 14 dollars it should already come with a side of fries (a side of anything actually for that price). An order of fries was $ 9 which to me is insane. My coworker also had a disappointing experience. She ordered a salad and when it came out we thought it was a joke. The salad looked more like a side salad that you’d eat alongside a bigger meal. Think Red Lobster starter salads. Yep that small. I believe her salad cost $ 11. $ 11 which could have been spent on a regular salad from the local salad places like Just Salad or Chopt’d.
I’m sure tourists eat this place up because of the Bryant Park view and outdoorsy feel but no regular NYC person should be spending such obscene amount of money for a meal that doesn’t even fill you up.

My boyfriend and I really liked this place! We came for an early lunch on a Saturday so it wasn’t too crowded, but the outdoor seating is so cute. They have two wide swings that you can sit and chill on while sipping on a drink. They have a full bar, but also make spiked hot chocolate. My boyfriend ordered the grilled chicken sandwich, which he loved because the ingredients are fresh and the chicken was juicy. I ordered the burger, which is around $ 13 – 14, but it’s worth it if you add on the advocado, mushrooms, and bacon that are all free! The burger was delicious and more than satisfying. But we enjoyed the french fries the most! It was crispy, but also thick and savory. My boyfriend enjoyed the manhattan and they make it pretty strong. It’s a nice place to sit, eat, drink, and chill on a sunny afternoon in Bryant Park.

I’m a Fan!
BAR (yes place to get a drink) inside of Bryant park. You can sit outside and drink while taking in the city. I was there in the winter time while the ice scatting ring was open. While on the pricier typical NY side, they have a nice selection of drinks and they have cute/​unique seating to just hang out and chill at. Its always crowded so it’s a little hard to maybe find a seat but if you do its a great place to just take in the city from over a drink with friends.
I would go back if ever in the area. Why not.

This outdoor bar is an oasis with cocktails. The ambiance and setting trumps the drinks. With a nice view of the park in the middle of the city, SW Porch just provides a decent place to relax. The bar is on a wooden patio decorated with lights (at night), a fire pit, some heating laps, and somewhat of a coveted porch swing.
Their cocktails are poured rather sparingly in plastic cups. Still they’re pretty pricey at about $ 16. Oh they serve food too.

Great respite from the crowds doing their early holiday shopping.
What’s better than sitting outside, sipping cocktails on a beautiful fall/​winter night in the cool temperatures with ample heat lamps nearby? Nothing, if you’d ask me.
Stop by the bar and ask for Joe. Then ask him to make you the same delicious drink (ingredients unknown) that he whipped up for Jill one Saturday afternoon. You won’t be disappointed!
Can’t wait to return!
Update: Returned again on Sunday afternoon with a good friend of mine. It was so relaxing sitting under the heat lamps having drinks and looking out on Bryant Park. Special shout out to Alexis for her excellent service and to Monique Soden for her enthusiasm and skill in fixing our heat lamp!

Food was decent if not a little overpriced, but then again you’re smack dab in Bryant park, so really you shouldn’t be complaining.
I ordered the burger which was about $ 14. This was worth it if you add all available extra toppings as the extra toppings are no charge! Fries are good.
Service is great. There didn’t seem to be much of a lunch rush as it’s getting colder and no one seems to be wanting to eat outside. We got our food within 20 minutes and our waitress was very sweet and efficient.
Overall a decent place to stop by for lunch if you have an hour long lunch break, like burgers and don’t mind people watching as you eat.

Nothing beats a fall day/​evening in Bryant Park… and the Southwest Porch makes it even better… location, location,
location…and they have it…

Cool place to hangout. Cocktails are expensive for what they are… not very tasty, small, and in plastic cups. Probably would have given one more star if it was possible to get the porch swing seats!!! Heating lamps save the day for this place.

Ehh the food is whatever. But I guess it’s cheaper than other NYC prices so it’s okay.
I had a white sangria which was not bad. But it was $ 14 – 15 and not worth it. You’re really paying for the ambience and outdoor seating.
Sunday 8−9pm service wasn’t great. They had two waitresses and it was hard to order food/​drinks and to ask for small things. I had to ask twice for a cup of water. Unless you want to absolutely grab a drink in the park, I would go somewhere else.

Monday at 4PM. Many available seats. Got my beer at the bar. Asked for menus. Waitress not really into service. I guess I won’t order food because I can’t.
Beer is cold

This place, while is in a very nice location and a great place to just hang out, is a nightmare on week nights. So many suits in here trying to fight for a spot at the bar. And the waiters, are smart, they go straight to the guy in the suit on a hot july friday night, who is expensing this through their client’s account, than me in a fairly casual plaid shirt.
By the time I got to the bar and asked what they had on tap, they simply just said «lager or ipa» without saying the brewer. I quickly just got a lager and go outta there.
I’m really happy for you barkeeps, but I won’t likely be back.

If you can afford the $ 14 cocktails, this place is great! And the drinks are not watered down, which is good. Amazing views of Bryant Park and a great place to people watch or just spend a wonderful summer afternoon!

This outdoor café was even better last night than in the summer. Holiday lights, faint music from the ice skating rink and crisp winter air gave it a magical feel. Don’t come here for food or drinks as they are no better or worse than at any other average place. Come here for the ability to do some people watching while comfortably seating in the middle of the hustle and bustle of Bryant Park, that is in the heart of Manhattan which is the center of it all. Just take it all in… enjoy.

If you get to sit by the fire in the winter, it can be really quite intimate and lovely.
But you’re paying the price. A small hot cider with a shot of Jameson was $ 12. A plastic cup of beer…$ 8.
I would seriously only recommend this place if all you want is to drink outside… in Bryant Park… in the winter time…

It looks like a porch hangout with it’s outside patio furniture and overhead lights that set the ambiance. Apparently owned by Southwest Airlines. Hence the oh-​so creative name «Southwest Porch.»
We stumbled here on a slightly chilly Friday evening. Apparently this place stays open year round and they are prepared with heaters as well as a fire pit. Although I am not sure how well this will do when 1 – 3 feet of snow piles in, it is a nice touch. One full bar and a small bar in the back. Menu is not grand but the food pleasantly surprised me. They have a guy on the grill and they run the food out to you. I was expecting the worst from this little stand. It tasted like a mixture somewhere between a Panera Bread and La Pain Quotidien. Not bad at all! However, what sort of turned me off was that our wine was poured into a small plastic cup. I felt like I was at a house party. I don’t know. Maybe that’s the vibe they are going for. And I understand I am not dining at the finest restaurant but they do make plastic wine and champagne glasses. Just saying!
The dress is casual but you will find men in their business attire here for the happy hour. This place is buzzin for happy hour. The crowd seemed mostly mid 30’s and up. My friend and I who are in our mid 20’s felt a little out of place but we still hung around. Around 9pm, the place cleared out (my friend and I talk a lot). It was a cute place to hang but I wasn’t blown away. Still, I would give it another shot when in the area.

Your paying for the privilege to drink outside in the park… And paying a lot.
Needless to say NYC is always a pricey place to grab a drink. But there are several places that are close by that have cheaper drinks then this place. Your really paying for atmosphere and to be around the tourists or 30 something’s with disposable $. The drinks are mixed well but your gonna pay $ 11.02 (I don’t understand why the .02) for a regular size margarita that you can get for $ 5.00 at any happy hour close by. Or at least for $ 7. It’s not a bad drink. But not worth the price. Also beer at $ 7.35? In a plastic cup makes me think I’m at a ball game…
The food is good, but nothing amazing…
Ah but your outdoors! iI’s hip and alive.
So if you are looking for a hip place outdoors and price is not an issue– you found it.

It’s so relaxing to come here for a beer or glass of wine in the evening. They have cozy chairs casually positioned about the place, and the twinkle lights make for a very pretty atmosphere. It’s cute and casual enough for a first date, or to bring out of town guests to.