Amaru Pisco bar

I come here regularly with friends for drinks and food. While I’ve had nothing but positive experiences with service here, I came here on Saturday to be turned away at the door by the bouncer and was told that my friend and I had been drinking and would not be getting in. This was based solely on the fact that this bouncer observed us coming from another establishment next door. This same bouncer let other people with sneakers in, and some who had obviously been drinking. My friend and I quietly came to the door, not acting sloppy or drunk at all and merely showed our IDs and got immediately turned away not based on any behavior or signs of intoxication. We called the manager, who finally came out, and basically said that he doesn’t care and the bouncer can let in whoever he wants. As someone who has spent a lot of money here, always generously tipped the staff, regularly brought new customers with me, and had been nothing but respectful, I will not be bringing my business here again.

Pros: good cocktails, bartenders are attentive.
Cons: Kind of skeevy, if you go further to the back of the bar, people are secretly smoking cigarettes and pot, yuck. Parking is also difficult.

This place is located in Jackson Heights on Northern Blvd. I was expecting it to be more of a bar than a clubby lounge. Nevertheless the drinks were good. We recently went to Peru and in our travels we had the chance to try several different types of Pisco based drinks, it was good to find out that locally there are a few places we can visit to have a taste of the different types of drinks you can have in Peru, Amaru Pisco Bar is one of them. We did not try any of the food but we had the Pisco sour and and maracuya sour which were both good. The places does seem to get a lot more crowded after 11pm. Not a bad place to hang out and have a few drinks.

We were at this bar at 6pm on a Saturday, so there was nobody there. We therefore cannot speak for the nightlife vibe. However, the Pisco sour was delicious, as were the other drinks. They were also very attractive; the maracuya sour had an honest-​to-​goodness flower sitting on top. The dance-​y ‘80s music definitely helped, as did the oddly addictive (and free) toasted corn.

Awesome ambience, good drinks, good music. When It gets really packed the line to the bathroom is ridiculous. There wont be space to dance…

Music is good, atmosphere passable. Bartenders are rude and nasty. Went on a slow Saturday night. Stood at the bar and had to wave at him to get his attention. Don’t know how to make drinks properly. Won’t be there again!

Eager to try food from home with a good cocktail, some friends and I organized a birthday outing there. I really wanted to like it as a fellow Peruvian and familiar with the owner’s work. We were greeted instead by a thug-​like bouncer who made a young girl cry on her birthday weekend. Never were we informed that there was a penalty charge for shoes that look sneaker-​like. I haven’t see it but there is an unwritten dress code and he took our friends for chumps requesting $ 20 from us to let us in. All of this was done in the most condescending attitude. I refuse to support a business that treats people like that! I hope something changes… (0 stars, if possible)

The Pisco sour maracuya and long islands here are great! The bartenders are also super friendly. This place gets really full and it doesn’t help that it’s a small bar. The music and ambiance is great for a night out

I love Amaru. But I do not love when places are not Frank with me. I usually order the hamburgesas. And I Love them but unfortunately. They did not have the materials needed. For the order. And only when I point it out to the bartender is when he said. Yes we do not have the items. I did not appreciate the lack of attention towards the consumer. Not pleased …

I was looking forward to take my coworkers to this place. Sadly we were a few minutes early and instead of telling us nicely that the place was opening in 10 min. And to wait outside, we were told with hand gestures by a bartender that the place was not open yet and to leave. Very dissapointed, im not going back we are at a different place now.

I came here on a Wednesday night around 9:45 and it started to get packed as I was leaving at 12:15. Their music playlist ranges from bachata, pop, salsa, hip hop, cumbia, and some alternative rock. The bartenders are attentive and very friendly. For my first drink I ordered the Cholita, which was very refreshing, clean, and not overly sweet. I prefer bitter drinks over sweet, so I enjoyed the Callao Long. A girly drink all will appreciate is the Maracuya Sour.
For food, the Cebiche (Ceviche) wasn’t anything special but it was satisfying. Gambas al Ajillo (Garlic Shrimp) was quite delicious also served with a basket of bread. My friend ordered Alitas Amaru (chicken wings) and seemed to enjoy them.
I definitely want to come back on a Friday or Saturday night!

Gets packed late at night, the music is quite loud, but a good selection.
This is one of the few places I am happy to pay $ 10 a drink for, the maracuya sour is delicious.
Cons:
Always a huge line for bathroom, both genders.

Great pisco sour selection. (Not ever changing)
Food is pretty good as well
Also have beer and wine… Some Friday/​Saturday nights get really packed up.
Limited seating Available (mostly just round the bar)
VIP section available in the back in a open second level overlooking the entire lounge (bottle service only)
Huge projection screen behind bar (awesome)

I really do like this place.
The décor is great. Ambiance is great especially for a date. Sometimes the music might just be a little too loud, but if the music is good then it won’t matter as much. The restroom is well maintained. There is a balcony seating area which costs $ 200 to rent with full service. Accommodates approximately 25 people. The staff here is awesome. Shout out to Gabriel, Michael, Ephrain, and Carlos. There is also a little outdoor area for the occasional smoker to access.
The negative? It’s quite a significant one… No coat check. All the seats in here are stools meaning no back. If you come with a jacket/​coat then you either sit on it or on your lap.
Minus one star for that.
The drinks are great and appropriately priced for what they are going after. If you’re complaining about the price, then you obviously are not the clientele they are targeting. The tapas is also great. I recommend the Gambas de Ajillo.
I’m a repeat offender at this place.

I got there Saturday night at midnight, my first time there and I’m already unimpressed bc they didn’t have coat check. We were told to give our coats to a server. Ppl who didn’t check their coats had their coats all over the place. The place was so crowded there was No space to dance and they kept letting people in. When I wanted to leave we had to wait forever for our coats… for them to take me to the basement to look for our coats. … never again

Closest bar to Pio Pio and we didn’t want to travel far because it was freezing. The drinks are definitely different. The Maracuya Sour was good, but the Ichigo Pisco was way too sour for my taste. Also, after ordering our drinks, we were given the bill. I felt pushed out way too fast.

This place is really good to go & get cocktails, food. The Pisco options they have are just a orgasm on your palate. We ordered 2 dishes of artichucos which is a Peruvian steak stick with, plantains, corn & a delicious spicy sauce. Had a great time overall. Thanks

Cute bar/​lounge on Northern blvd. This is a Peruvian establishment with a great selection of music. I stopped in after having dinner across the street with some friends. I have been here a few times and every time is a good time. Drinks are fantabulous and even have your typical Peruvian pisco sour. If you read what’s in it do not say ewwwww until you actually try it. I had the Maracuya (passion fruit) pisco sour. They add egg whites but you won’t even notice it. Try it!!! Menu had different drinks and even some appetizers. The only negative about this place is they only have 1 bathroom for W and 1 for M. The line can get pretty ridiculous & sucks if you need to really go. For all you smokers, they have a small place in the rear where you can sit and smoke outside.

Ah I love Amaru. It makes me want to go back to Peru even more! (and I’m not even Peruvian!)
Maracuya sour, still amazing! Try the salchipapas! Instead of typical oscar mayer hotdog — they use spanish sausage (chorizo) and it is delicious! The care they put into everything really shows, and pays off!
Came for Peruvian Independance, music was on point (like always!) If only they hired female bartenders, I’d apply in a heartbeat!

Amaru is one of the few quality spots on Northern in JH.
The space looks like an EV lounge with some Latin flair. The crowd is often South American couples looking for a more stylish night out while staying local. The cocktails focus on pisco and the music is a mix of Spanish, house and hip hop. The music is too loud for the space and they don’t have enough seats, but you won’t regret coming here if you find yourself in this part of town.