Escape Penthouse NYC

Please stop with the loud music blaring until 2 AM! You are making your neighbors miserable.

This is a pretty chill place to come for a Sunday brunch. We came here for a friends birthday and they have $ 30 brunch which includes unlimited Sangria/​Mimosa, Breakfast, Lunch and a dessert. The food is good and the ambience is chill

A nuisance to the neighborhood. Loud music at all times of day/​night that blast out into neighboring apartments. Management does nothing to correct the issues. Don’t support this business since they seem to care nothing about the community they interact with.

Let me start by saying that i DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS PLACE TO ANYONE. If i can give this place a NEGATIVE rating, I WOULD. On Saturday, August 22, 2015, i arrived at Escape with my business partner. I am of Asian Decent and he is of African American decent. I was casually dressed and he had on a baseball jersey. We were on a guest list for my sisters birthday party (which is FREE ENTRY). When we arrived at the door, we were greeted by this FAKE A** AMBER ROSE WANNABE LOOKING B*** who doesn’t know how to create her own style so she steals it from a celebrity to get attention, and a wanna be Dike Mall cop. She mentioned that we could not get in due to dress code policy (which i COMPLETE understand), but as we stood back to observe the other guests walking In and OUT of the establishment, we noticed that there were MANY other guest that were COMPLETELY out of dress code. One gentleman, of CAUCASIAN decent walked in RIGHT after we were denied entry. He was wearing SHORTS, a T-​Shirt, and Prada shoes. When i addressed the issue about the caucasian male and his attire, «Amber Rose» replied, «Oh, its because he’s wearing Prada shoes». HOW FKN IGNORANT can you be??? He is out of dress code, BUT because he’s WHITE and wearing Prada shoes you allow him to enter!!!
I felt like my colleague and i were RACIALLY PROFILED as soon as they saw us. So in an attempt to give this place a second chance, we walked back to the car and i gave my colleague a button up shirt. At this point, my wife and my sister came downstairs to help us get in. After a bit of a disagreement with the dike mall cop and her bulls*** explanation about policy and dress code, we went upstairs. I proceeded to walk up to the lady who checks names from the guest list. She proceeds to tells me that i have to pay $ 30! Are you FKN kidding me? She didn’t even ask me to verify my name to make sure i was on the list. She says, «you didn’t come in with your sister so you have to pay.» After being extremely frustrated that these people don’t want me to SPEND MONEY in this place, we left!
And for the record, i am a well established individual who’s ONLY objective was to have a good time with close friends and family.
THIS PLACE IS A JOKE. After i left, my wife mentioned that the «Amber Rose» wannabe was attempting to talk to her on NUMEROUS occasions. She was asking my wife to hang out with her and if she was willing to work there. Now is that business professional for someone who works there??? How can you be so THIRSTY to «holla» at my wife when you’re WORKING. And NO, my wife WOULD NOT WANT TO WORK AT A BULLSH** place like that because she, MUCH LIKE MYSELF, has an ESTABLISHED CORPORATE JOB with FULL BENEFITS and RETIREMENT PLANS… not some LOWLIFE working in a mediocre lounge for attention.
Furthermore, i will not stop with this Unilocal review. I have already contacted the city to look further into the ordinances in which Escape Penthouse must follow. If they are NOT in accordance to these city ordinances, THEY WILL BE SHUT DOWN. So for anyone who reads this, DO NOT PARTY HERE. There are other places that offer a BETTER customer experience. Besides, this place won’t be open much longer anyway.

Maybe I was lucky…
I had a great time here. It was one of those nights when I get a random text from a girlfriend that reads «lets hang out I have a place we can go to», and I’m bored at home so I give in and reply «ok, I’m down».
So we went to Escape Penthouse and of course we looked good (trust me I’m not being conceited). The place wasn’t too packed but it was very comfortable. The venue itself is beautiful and the views of the city are breathtaking. I ordered some calamari because I can’t drink on an empty stomach it’ll embarrass everyone lol. The calamari was SOOO good it actually surprised me. But let me tell you the real reason this place is amazing:
GREAT HOOKAH!
Yea I said it… HOOKAH! I’m a female who opts out on smoking marijuana so I love the fact that if I’m already bothering the shit out of my lungs it’s totally worth it. This hookah literally had me on a high that I had to ask the general manager if it had something in it LMAO (I wasn’t complaining ppl the general manager was treating me and my girls all night. THANKS HEATH!) The drinks were flowing and the music was on point. I can’t wait to come here again which I’m sure I will do soon for brunch or so.

Utter nightmare for those living in the area. Came here the other night and treated with such disrespect. Please don’t frequent this venue as it’s nuisance to the neighbors, charges way too much for it’s drinks and tries to have a red carpet status while serving mixed drinks in plastic cups.

Went in last week for a birthday party, security was very nice, went up stairs and the music wAs popping, immediately started dancing, ordered a drink at the bar, bartender was great, proceeded to our table, bottle packages were reasonable, great service from the bottle host, overall awesome night, definitely will return

I wish there was a option for zero stars because that’s really what this place deserves. The customer service is absolutely the worst especially if you happen to be an African American customer. If you are not Hispanic or white you will definitely get treated like a second class citizen. Also, drinks are really expensive. We were told bottle service is $ 800. (two regular mixed drink cost $ 27 dollars). The topper is, how can you mess up guacamole. The small bowl just contained large hard chunks and squares of avocado that they didn’t even try to mash-​Yuck!!! The bathroom is really small, there is three stalls and one of the stalls had a notice on the door that said out of order. The rooftop view is mostly of the projects (I believe Woodside Projects to be exact) which is a couple blocks away. Just the worst experience and it ruined my sorority sister’s birthday.

What a better place to see the sunset & enjoy some great drinks with friends. I came here & enjoyed their awesome flavored mojitos! the price was very decent., far from city prices. Food was great! We ordered a bunch of appetizers for all of us. The hookah is also pretty good. We had a table outside & the breeze & view plus the Dj made is want to come back for more. Not to mention the great looking waitstaff they have. Both pretty and nice. We will be back

This place is pretty cool located right on Astoria. It has a nice décor with and indoor outdoor patio area. The food was great. The hostesses were on point definitely on their job today. I would recommend this place I just can’t belive that I haven’t know about this place sooner. The sunday brunch was delicious I had the Mini burgers and the shrimp avocado. Our hostess was DeeDee aka Ra if you stop by this place ask for here she took great care of my friends and I and trust me that’s not a small task. I recommend you try this place especially the Sunday brunch.

I wouldn’t even give this place half a star. The food is HORRIBLE!!! It tasted like something they pulled out of a box and stuck in the microwave. The «sangria» was straight up juice with fruit. We went to this place to be on the rooftop (which I requested) and instead was set up for a table inside. Why go to a rooftop lounge if I couldn’t be seated on the rooftop. The money I paid to just sit there and watch other people enjoy the rooftop was very unnecessary. The girls there have the most nastiest attitude and very unkind when it comes to service. Mostly the «hostesses» (an amber rose look alike and some other girl with glasses and short hair) No professionalism whatsoever.!! The girls behind the bar and bottle girls were nice though. Over all I would NEVER come or refer any one to this place ever again.

It would get more stars but the dj is horrible. Be forewarned that the tip is included with your drink. Staff is great but it does cater more to the ethnic crowd. Hey, there’s something for everyone somewhere! It worked for me, but definitely needs improvement with the dj. Not overly noisey as people say it is, not overly priced, the seating is awesome, make you feel like you are in the city. The happy hour wasn’t made clear so the manager said one thing but the bartender charged something else.

Please boycott this place! They show utter disrespect to the community with its egregiously loud reggae/​hip hop/​dance music (trust me, I usually LIKE this music too) throughout the week (today, it started as early as 3pm). My windows are closed and it’s as if the music is coming from my living room. Having actually been there, the place is not that great (views? PUAH). and what is with the attitude? There are bouncers downstairs. The scene is laughable. Imagine two bouncers berating Astoria patrons about their attire — hello! Remember where you are located! You are surrounded by graffiti (noticed a spike too in that — thanks DiBlasio!) and rent-​a-​center furniture shops. This place screams ghetto and douchebagness. I hope it collapses soon — if not financially, then structurally. Sad because if management was receptive to all the noise complaints and showed that they cared, I — and hundreds of other people — would be frequenting this establishment (and telling all of our Manhattan friends about it). Instead, we’re bitching about the noise here on Unilocal …

Welp, Escape, you should have known this was coming after last nights experience ! My coworker/​closefriend had decided she wanted to celebrate her birthday here last night 6÷27÷15. My boyfriend and I arrived before the birthday girl (around 11:45pm) and figured we would head inside, (they have free before 12am type of deal)
It was pouring outside. We stepped up to the door, (holding giant umbrella) behind the glass door was a woman in a red dress long black hair and a young security guard. No one opened the door at first despite being directly in front of it.
First words from young security: «Can I help you?» (as if I’m lost?) I explained I was here for a party for a my friend, said her name out loud. He said «theres a dress code»
Now if this were to happen (which it never has, first time! yay!), I’d probably look at my boyfriend (or any other male with us for that matter) to make sure he’s wearing the correct type of clothing (button up, neat jeans, shoes etc) and He was. The security guy was referring to me! I was SHOCKED. (I’m going to try to post the photo up from last night, after this review)
I was wearing:
white crop top
high waisted aztec printed pants (not leggings more harem style)
light pink 4″ wedges
Not to go word for word … but He said things like «Upscale, and its Saturday night, Are you here for a party?» and little miss red dress backed him up.
Now initially I was bummed because I’ve never been to this place and if I was really underdressed, I would have wished my friend would have told me so I would have put on more upscale attire (oh wait… I’m going to come back to this)
I then called my friend who assured me she would get the situation straightened out, and she did, after briefly arguing with young security guy who assured her there is no way I’m (me!) getting in (so freaking rude). Red dress woman acted like she never denied me entrance (how fake of you darling.) After all, it was my friends birthday, she was buying 4 bottles and when we arrived she had literally brought the whole club with her (15+ people)
Red dress woman then let us in with out a problem while I heard young security say outloud «fine thats on you» (who raised you??)
Now to the place itself! Sorry !
Now it was raining so out door roof top closed but they do have an ample amount of space inside. My boyfriend and I stayed by the bar to ensure constant service and
bartender was there when we needed her. Birthday girl did 4 bottles for $ 700 (not bad) we put in $ 70 in (we are not bottle people to be honest) so we continued to order our own drinks from the bar, regular nightclub prices, we had about 7 drinks (ranging around $ 12.50) plus a shot we spent about $ 100 with tips.
The hookah was great while it lasted… It ran out quickly… the hookah girl was sweet + attentive. It was $ 30 for the initial hookah then $ 20 for a refill, we refilled twice. Spending $ 70 on hookah.
As the night went on, remember how «strict + upscale» young security and red dress claimed this place to be? oh yeah VERY upscale… men in t-​shirts, women in flats, pink jeans, men in sneakers !! I saw 2 girls wearing similar outfits to mine wearing flats! Come on Escape. Come on…
So in conclusion I was profiled. Whether it was racially, physically, I was definitely profiled by both the security guard and red dress woman.
Mr young security guard, I just paid your salary last night. You’re welcome.
I gave 2 stars for the employees that weren’t big balls of profiling trash.

This place sucked when it was called «Sunset» and it still sucks now. It’s a shame since it’s the only rooftop bar in this neighborhood, but it’s not worth the moderately decent view.
Too many other better bars around here. This place needs entirely new owners who know how to operate a warm and friendly business. For your sake and the sake of your friends, avoid.

Most of the food is fried but tasty. Not a great selection but not bad for a bar/​lounge .The staff was friendly and gave us great drink suggestions. Atmosphere was laid back and casual
The DJ was okay, the crowd was diverse. The views from the rooftop are pretty good.

We were here for 15 minutes. 2 minutes in we ordered our drinks and bartender had to look at menu bc she had no clue.
10 min passes and we’ve seen her make 5+ other people’s drinks (it’s 90% empty) for third time we ask her about our drinks. They are apparently out of one of the ingredients. Could have told us that earlier.
This is not «my scene» and the crowd was more typical of this section of Steinway. Our friends told us about how much they liked sunset lounge but I guess that may have changed w ownership.

***LEFT THIS REVIEW FOR THIS PLACE UNDER THE NAME ‘SUNSET LOUNGE’…SO HERE IT IS ON THE PROPER PAGE:****
Been here a handful of times, so a review is in order:
I’m first off upset that such a nice place with soooo much potential, in a super convenient location, AND awesome ambiance has such inconsistent service. This is the number one area of opportunity. Server girl was verrry slow (20 mins to get a beer bottle???)…it wasn’t even crowded sunday afternoon (half of the tables were empty). The service at the bar is not by much better… I don’t think one girl even made eye contact once. FYI –Experienced bartenders are expected if your serving premium priced cocktails. Applebees has better bartenders. (Sorry not sorry).
Opened a TAB with my card and ID, Spent over $ 200 for my small group yesterday and the server closed my tab without giving me my card/​ID back with my bill… why?!. Had to walk over to the bar and sort their shift change miscommunication/​confusion for them. No bueno. :smh:
Security is outrageous and invasive to the small floor footprint that this place has. (minus the one guy Jamie who was cool and had a conversation with).
Food is hit or miss. Sliders are the only thing i liked out of the 4 appetizer items i’ve had here.
Drinks are great minus the fact that they have a very limited beer menu. Maybe they want to push liquor… ok. Got it.
Music: depends on the night. I will only hangout here if theres a DJ i know from now on. One time a «DJ» was playing dubstep one minute and then merengue (sp?) then Jay-​Z right after. Bizarre.
Ok so the good aspects are that this place is new, clean, well put-​together design and layout.
Why did I give them 2 stars… well, I really want to like this place but wont bother giving them an other penny of my money if they dont get their act together. It’s unprofessional, amateur and pretty embarrassing. As a business operator myself, I take Unilocal/​social media feedback very seriously. I would hope that someone (the owners) especially who are financially invested, think the same way.
My friend is DJing there this week and I hope to have a comfortable, enjoyable, hassle free night. Is that too much to ask for?!?
***UPDATE: THE EVENT WEDNESDAY WAS CANCELLED ON A BEAUTIFUL EVENING. THIS PLACE IS DEAD TO ME*** PEACEEEEEEE

You still have «Sunset» written all over your place but you call yourself «Escape» and then you do not let guests in because they are not dressed up to your liking! How long do you think you will stay open if the person by the door (a young girl with a terrible makeup and a worst attitude) says that there is a dress code and we can not come in because we do not all wear «collar shirts»? Sunset was terrible and this «Escape» thing seems to follow its steps.

There are few places in Astoria that make you feel as unwelcome as Escape. Nothing makes you feel as welcome as a club whose former name is still draped on the side of their building. We came by here to find a chill drink and a sweet view of the city. Sunset did this pretty easily, and made you feel like a VIP. Escape does the opposite – it made sure you felt like a reject from the start. We arrived on time, dressed in moderately fashionable wear, looking for a drink and a good time. We were given a nasty attitude, and asked if we had a reservation, as though we were in midtown Manhattan. We were then segregated because one of our members neglected to have a collar on their shirt. We were given dirty looks, told to leave, and not given the time of day. Don’t stop by– the club is non-​existent, and the host did us a favor by telling us to leave. It was most likely a warning.