The Sugar Bar

My girlfriend and I went to the Sugar Bar in the beginning of January. I was surprised on how tight the seating arrangements were in the area where the stage was located. But luckily we were told about two more rooms that we could sit and have dinner at. We sat in the Garden room and it was more spacious and more intimate. We were able to see the performances on the big screen, which was perfectly fine for us. Towards the end of the night, we were able to see the last two performances and sat near the stage.
I was pleasantly surprised by the food because I have been disappointed in Soul Food restaurants lately. I had their stuffed tilapia with crabmeat, mashed potatoes, collard greens and mac & cheese. My girlfriend had the blackened catfish, mashed potatoes and seasonal vegetables. Everything was really good with the exception of the garlic bread. That was very underwhelming. I could have done a better job at home.
The alcoholic beverages were STRONG! The way that we like it. No complaints there. Our waiter was very nice and accommodating. So sorry that I don’t remember his name but he treated us very well.
We got there early, so we didn’t experience the slow wait as others on Unilocal have been complaining about. We got our dinner pretty fast and when it started to get crowded, we already ate and just chilled with our drinks. A good suggestion is to get there early.
Will definitely be back.

Good food, great service, very accommodating to the large group I was a part of.

Thank you Sugar Bar for hosting the wonderful pre-​show Danfest on Saturday, October 17. Special kudos to Jimmy and Leila for orchestrating the perfect experience. The food was out of this world and the staff was so accommodating and gracious. Thank you, thank you, thank you. I’m sure that those of our kind will want to do it again!

A LARGE group of us serious Steely Dan fans gathered pre-​concert last Saturday night, to drink, dine and generally revel on what was the finale of the SD tour.
The location was great, the ambiance divine in both the bar and the dining area. We ate, we drank, our food came out in time. The bartender and wait staff were wonderful. My jerk turkey burger was delish, best I’ve ever had.
Can’t wait to come back and «Do it again»
Thank you!

I was there for Thursday night
Good tunes
Food was ok
Cover charge — I guess — this tells me they don’t have the game
Services– ok — I order Coke– if it’s hard to get
Tip is included at 18%
Just confirms that they can’t provide an experience worth tipping
I would rather pay more for better food and pass on the door charge
This place is not for me
Tight space–
Just not for me

Worst service. Worst food. These people are on Jamaican time… soooooo slow!!! Not sure how these people find their way to work each day?!

Here on a Thursday night, open mike night. outstanding ambience, talent, and people people from around the world. Sitting next to a large party from France. Life is wonderful.

The place had a great ambience but the food was not great at all and the prices are way too high but the performances were the only reason I would consider coming back

Ordered through Seemless last night for dinner — best pork chop I’ve ever had! Mashed potatoes were a little dry but the pork chop made up for it. Will order again!

Some friends of mine were performing here so of course I went to support. There was a $ 10 cover, which, ok. I can deal because how else are the artists going to pull in money. Then there was a $ 20 minimum to sit at a table. Again, that’s fine because I expected to get some dinner and drinks. Not everyone in our party was eating or drinking though and we had to split up. The food was phenomenal. Cooked perfectly and incredibly flavorful!!! Our service was only ok. The waiter was nice but got snarky with one person in our party and rarely stopped over to check on us. We had to flag him down constantly. What is giving this place a «1 star» rating is the end. We went to pay our bill and they only take «cash and 3 forms of payment.» What?! You can’t split the bill?! Or at least have told us that before we sat down?! So then, after speaking with the INCREDIBLY RUDE manager, who just kept repeating herself instead of trying to fix the problem, the server was magically able to split off one table. Why couldn’t you split off each table? THEN! We get cash (who even carries cash anymore!) and 3 cards together and they say, no no no, cash and 2 cards only. WTF? One person in our party had to leave the establishment, get cash, and come back. If the manager had said or done something to appease us, even apologized, I think that would have made us feel better after spending hundreds of dollars here. All in all, we were there for about 45 minutes trying to work this out. It was a horrendous experience, the manager was USELESS and rude, and we will not be returning.

Overdue review– came for a friends Bday dinner and was pleased with the food drinks and the service. Though pricey the food is quality and filing portions

I didn’t have any food, I came for the Thursday open mic. It was one of the greatest nights I’ve had in New York. OFF THE HOOK. The house band is incredibly tight and exhibit so much finesse in how they get behind every singer. The singers were all amazing and the ones that were less then amazing, were lift to the heights by the band. Incredible

I made a return trip to this place, where I last ate probably 10 years ago. Food is still good (if too salty), and the idea of entertainment is nice, even if not always successful.
I probably won’t be back, mostly because I felt like Sugar Bar is picking my pocket. The menu is purposefully unclear over which sides were included in the meal (there is no way we were the first to be confused by this), so we ended up paying $ 7 per person more than we expected. I ordered a lemonade, and for a very small glass was charged $ 6. Then when the bill came they added in an 18% gratuity (I don’t think I’ve ever seen gratuity added when only 2 people were dining). And, before you justify the charges by referring to the entertainment, we paid $ 10 cover per person for some at best semi-​professionals.
It’s a shame, cause I live in the neighborhood and I love the cuisine. Just don’t like being ripped off.

I’m sorry I thought I left a review on my phone? anyway we ate at sugar bar Feb 19 a Thursday (open mike) we had a great time, and food was great Valerie Simson came over to our table and greeted us with open arms what can I say great music great food

Went here with a group of ladies for my friend’s 53^rd birthday. 30^th street blues band was awesome!!! Birthday girl was even pulled on stage to perform. Oh yeah the food… seafood stew was to die for!!! My rum punch had a special kick to it. Still fantasizing about that warm cornbread & strawberry butter. I will return.

This place could have gotten a five if I didn’t have to get the waiter myself every time I needed something

I had the pleasure of eating at Sugar Bar last night and it was great. Even my picky boyfriend cleaned his bones and keeps talking about it being the best meal he’s had out in a while. I would have given a 5 but initially I was brought the wrong fish, however when that catfish came out it was like butter. The Mac and cheese was great as was the collards. I was impressed.
I’m sad that it is so close to my job b/​c I need to stay on my diet.
Oh and our complementary drinks (for the mistake) were excellent… Thank you kindly

The food was good but the service was very slow. Dinner for three was $ 100 including tip. Dinner at the restaurants in Harlem was much better. It was open mic night so there was a $ 10 cover charge which you get back if you leave before the music starts. I had the tilapia with shrimp garlic sauce, mashed potatoes and collard greens. I had water. My daughter had a sprite ($ 4) and my husband had a non alcoholic fruit punch ($ 6)

This place was a pleasant surprise! My boyfriend and I were at the Riverside Park buy we didn’t want to eat the mediocre cafes on the Pier so we went to Sugar Bar a few blocks away and we had a great time.
The prices are a bit high but the FOOD IS FANTASTIC!!! Our appetizers were on average $ 15 each. My boyfriend got the Quesadilla and I got the chef special, Jerk Shrimp with Guacamole and Plantains. DELICIOUS!
The restaurant is dark and intimate which is perfect for a date night. Its narrow with a long corridor. They have a stage for jazz bands at the end of the long corridor and I personally don’t think acoustically that would work, but you go to a show and lets us know.
Service was pretty good. The guys and gals are nice, young, attractive, and Caribbean!!!
Whether hispanic or black! I guess you can call it discrimination but it goes perfectly with the theme of the restaurant.
Complaints: Pricey and small.
COMPLIMENTS: Great food, great service, and great thematic décor.

What a wonderful venue for the blues, soul sounds and delicious food! From the second you walk in you are swept into the ambiance that warm and friendly. If you are lucky Valerie Simpson, the owner or some other musical icon will be in the house.
The food grabs you from the start with hit fluffy corn bread with fruit infused butter and a wide range of southern, Cajun and American cuisine. The deserts are yummy and all the cocktails are potent and flavorful. I will go time and time again, especially when AZIZA MILLER is in the house !