Bar 89

Closed but here’s my review anyway. I went to this place with a few friends and upon entering it seemed like the place to be. But our waitress was horrible. I’m assuming maybe she was new because she couldn’t answer any questions about menu items thoroughly. She never checked on us. And can you believe another server ran out of the restaurant and followed my friends and i down the street just to yell at us and question why we didn’t leave her a big tip. Very unprofessional. I’ll never forget that! According to him, our waitress was crying. I can go so many ways about that but I’ll just say the food was bland and overpriced. The coolest thing about this restaurant was the ladies bathroom!

Noooooooo they’re closed! Ultra sad face great food, strong drinks, extremely reasonable price wise. The wait staff and bouncers are always crazy cool and helpful. DONT even get me started on the waffle fries. What will I do, where will I go…

I’m sad this bar closed down :(It’s one less reason for me to go to Soho now. It wasn’t fantastic but I liked it. Does anyone know what becomes of this place now? I’ll take a walk down Mercer St. to take a peek when I’m around!

Best. martinis. ever.
Chic, sexy, top notch service.
Just watch out – those drinks catch up with you fast.
My FAVE bar in Soho!

I’m so sad that this place is closing and I just discovered it!
I just met my new bestie… Sangrita silver!!! Teriyaki wings and nachos (yeah 20 mins was added to the workout)!
I shall be seeing this place again in the very near future… like 2 days from now and with that comes another freaking 20 mins of something i don’t want to do… but those wings… LOL!
The service was great and our waiter was super friendly!

3.5 stars
A very unplanned visit but I think the Coco-​tini made it absolutely worth it! I LOVE coconut martinis and this was really good! Loved every sip of it. It was flavorful, strong and awesomely yummy! It does come with a big price tag though!
But that is where the good stuff ends. I also got the Chicken Calabrese Sandwich. They say it was sauteed in butter, which was very true. All I tasted was butter. meh! This also made my sandwich super heavy and I could barely finish one half of it.
My friend got the Burger Au Poivre. and said it tasted ok — felt like it was «missing» something. So really, the food at the place wasn’t all that awesome.
My side of fresh fruits and vegetables was pretty wholesome and the waffle fries my friend got were pretty yummy to — not crispy enough for me though.
Also, their portions sizes are HUGE, really big!
Oh and maybe I am ot artsy enough for this place, because there were these SUPER creepy paintings all over the walls. distorted faces with smudged lip color and big black holes for eyes. ugh!
Also, since i am a sucker for fresh flowers and HATE artifical ones, another half star for having a real rose at my table! :) :)
And they have the frosted glass unisex bathrooms — there now. you have been warned! Make sure you wait for 5 seconds AFTER latching the door so you Dont end up giving people the peep show! :p

The last three times I walked past this bar, I stopped and admired the extremely tall ceilings, and finally came in on Monday afternoon for a working lunch.
We got seated right away and the service was very attentive. I got a cappuccino and shared a dish of grilled veggies with my co-​workers (very delish). I really liked the atmosphere and how bright it was in there.
Then I went to the bathroom. I did a double take and thought I was dreaming. They have these frosted doors that ‘shield’ you from onlookers, but turn on only after you enter. Weird, quirky, but I thought it was kind of cool.
All in all, it was interesting.

La nourriture est bonne sans être exceptionnelle, on peut manger de tout aussi bons hamburgers à Paris. Il faut surtout y aller pour le décor et l’ambiance, évidemment pour les toilettes que tout le monde connaît et qui sont pour le moins étonnantes (surprise).

Great late nite spot and a good spot to get a quick meal while in the area. The atmosphere and décor are interesting and relaxing. Check it ow with the new artwork. The nachos and wings are great with a group of friends. The sandwich are great to-​go if your on the run
But the best things are the drinks!!! Its more like a dessert but the Chocolate Martini is the best in the city. Mojito refreshing. all the drinks are very good trust me I have tried most of them.

Frosted glass in the bathroom stalls? Interesting. Just remember to not pull your pants down prior to shutting the door. Wait for it…
Grabbed a brunch here and have to say that I was impressed by the bloody mary as well as my salmon on rye toast dish. It was great. BF had the burger which he enjoyed. The art décor is interesting. Looks like a few local artists took over and painted murals. Enjoyed my meal!

I had the pleasure of visiting Bar89 on my recent trip to the city. We almost walked by it, as there is no signage besides the small, frosted logo on the front doors. The doorman was welcoming, and we were seated at a comfortable L-​shaped booth with chairs to seat our eventual party of seven.
The only thing that turned me off about this place was something our waitress kept saying to us. My friend and I came early to order food before our friends would meet us for drinks. The two of us were occupying the larger space, and although the restaurant was nearly empty, the waitress kept bothering us about when our friends would be there. She said that her manager would yell at her and she’d be in trouble if there were only two people sat in this area. We assured her that they would definitely be coming (they showed up about 15 minutes after us), but she still kept bothering us about it.
While everyone seems to be reviewing the bathrooms (which are AWESOME! and worth 5 stars if I was just reviewing those), I am actually here to review the GRILLED CHEESE SANDWICH! I am the pickiest grilled cheese-​er (and eater, for that matter), so I ordered mine with just one slice of American cheese. My friend got his with multiple kinds of cheeses and bacon slices. For $ 11, including a side (delicious waffle fries), it wasn’t a bad deal. I have never had a more perfect grilled cheese in my life. The bread was soaked in golden butter, the outside still crispy and flaky, the cheese melted to perfection… I seriously ate all of my french fries first, as to not ruin the taste of paradise in my mouth.
I also had a rum and Coke, and loved the way they served it! For $ 8, the pour was generous (see picture), and they brought over a mini bottle of Coke so that I could determine how much I wanted in the drink. It was a unique touch, and I did like seeing how much liquor I was getting for the price.
The atmosphere is great… really neat murals and paintings on the walls, and the music was great, too! Some oldies and 90s music thrown in to the mix, but with a club-​type sound. All in all, we had a great time at Bar89.

So, there’s a party in the bathroom and no one told me? That’s probably a good thing. ‘The Crying Game’ secret Bar 89 keeps is, likely, one that won’t have you shooting any Irish spies because of her [hilarious redaction], but it’s fun to be in on the secret. I wasn’t in on the secret until now and I came to Bar 89 a couple of times. What can I say? I have the bladder of a camel.
And, that’s quite enough of that.
Odds are you aren’t checking out Bar 89 because you need a cool bathroom. You need a drink. And, some food. You’re in the right place. Despite the fact that it’s likely to be filled with tourists (*waves*) there are a number of reasons locals should give it a whirl.
1.) The cocktail program is more than decent. Given by the loud dining room, people come here to have a good time and the gateway to any good time is booze. ’tis true. My good time started with a Pana Peach concoction that first raised chuckles from my co-​workers and then raised eyebrows. Yes, the name is silly. But, if you like big drinks with a touch of sweet and a *pow* of inebriation, order this. I was delightfully cross-​eyed and light-​headed after a few. Upon a return visit, I stuck with beer because I was there to…
2.) Eat! The menu is diverse and the portions are huge. Don’t come here expecting deconstructed teen angst topped with the essence of eyelash flutters and served in a question. Nope. Not that kind of place. Expect large plates of citified comfort food. I ordered a buffalo chicken sandwich after getting some consultation from the ultra friendly waitress. Remember the end of the opening credits of ‘The Flintstones’ when Fred orders food so large that it tips the car? This. That would have happened had I been driving a foot-​powered stone vehicle. The sandwich was huge and spicy. It was a contest of will to get me to finish the thing. I should eaten half and saved room for dessert. I tend to get tunnel vision when presented with food
3.) Vibe. Yes, locals may have to bump elbows with the unwashed masses who don’t live in Gotham but if you do… you might wind up having a good time with them. No. Not like that. The bathroom talk is over. A good time as in ‘conversation and laughs.’ Both times I was here, I was really taken with how un-​self-​conscious and free wheeling the crowd was. No one (that I noticed) was checking for anyone. People were just there to laugh, drink, eat, and pee… as it should be.

I’ve come to Bar 89 several times as I find it’s a great place to have lunch, especially with it’s location being in SoHo and close to several of my favorite stores.
With my girlfriends and I in town, I thought I would take them to Bar 89 for lunch. They loved the décor as the walls are all painted from floor to ceiling with really unique and modern art. This changes constantly. Every time that I come to bar 89 the walls are different. That is SUPER cool. The bathrooms fog up when you lock them which is also very unique.
The food is really good for a lunch spot. We had the Buffalo chicken sandwich, the Friday only special jumbo peel & eat shrimp, and I can’t remember what the other two girls had. For dessert, we had the chocolate brownie. The waffle fries are to die for and super addictive! I have never had a bad experience here and have dined here several several times. Will definitely be back.

I’m almost embarrassed that I went to the same restaurant 2 nights/​row while in NY, but after working an event across the street all day my colleagues and I were in serious need of some grub. Even if the grub happened to come from the same restaurant we had drinks at the night before.
The drinks at Bar 89 are pretty stellar… and strong. The French 75 is pretty good. so much so that I ordered it 2 nights/​row. They may have «bar» in their name, but drinks aren’t the only things they do well at Bar 89. With the help of our opinionated (in a good way!) waitress I ordered the flatbread during my 2^nd visit. It was enough for 3 people, but I was soooo hungry and it was sooo good. And sooo I ate the entire thing.
And if the food and drinks aren’t enough to get you excited Bar 89 may just have the coolest restrooms ever. While it’s just silly to go to the same restaurant twice in one weekend in a city in NY, the restrooms alone are worth one visit.

Have you heard the rumors?
«…twice in one weekend.»
«back-​to-​back nights…»
«…did you see that thing? It’s huge!»
«something of interest was going down in the washroom…»
I’m not here to dispel all the rumors; rather, I’m confirming they’re all true.
Yes — I was here, and twice. Two nights-​in-​a-​row. While VISITING!
I ordered the Burger las Brisas and it was enormous. So large and spicy that I took an impromptu break (I believe men would label this a refractory period), brought it back to my hotel room and devoured the rest before I could stow it away in the fridge. Insatiable, yes I am!
And the scene in the washroom? A lady never tells… but, I can divulge that my interest was captured for at least two minutes before the novelty wore off.
It’s what every Harlequin novel should be made of… sigh.

I can appreciate an interesting bathroom.* And although Bar 89’s is just that, if you drink enough beer that you need to make multiple trips, the novelty wears off quickly. At the risk of ruining the surprise:
The bathroom stall doors are clear, and slowly grow opaque after you’ve closed them. Although unique, this really just makes me wait uncomfortably until I’m sure no one can see me. (Or, at least I would wait if I sat down to pee. I’m really just sympathizing with the ladies here… I’m such a gentleman.)
Overall, Bar 89 is a perfectly nice establishment with friendly service. However, it’s not really my style. It’s fairly nondescript (which actually is my style, now that I think about it), but it’s too pricey and too brightly lit for a degenerate such as myself. Give me a dark corner to hide my hideousness, and I’m happy (or at least less depressed). But my own insecurities (too big for me to handle) aside, the beer selection could be greatly improved, and some sort of happy hour would be appreciated.
All in all, I imagine it’s a much better choice for a meal (the wings and waffle fries smelled delicious) than just a few unhappy hour drinks, and next time I’ll be sure to order some food to make sure.
Also, what’s with the angel wings, slowly flapping along the high ceilings? Seriously, I’m asking.
_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​
*See my review of Morimoto.

Came in for a breather and late lunch while wandering around SoHo in the 95 degree June heat wave. We were enticed by the simple sign outside (
)
Modern décor (
) with a huge skylight over the bar and the coolest uni-​sex bathroom with translucent stall doors that turn opaque when you go inside and lock the door (
not my pic).
Long menu of burgers, sandwiches and salads plus full bar.
Hers: Oriental Tuna Sandwich (Fresh, seared, Ahi tuna marinated in teriyaki sauce, seasoned with wasabi and ginger, served on extra crisp toast with homemade chips, $ 19)
Mine: Pork Chop Variation I (Grilled in a ginger sauce, covered with sliced cucumbers, radish sprouts and Cajun Majo. Served on a toasted Italian roll with fries, $ 14)
The tuna sandwich is open-​faced and comes with soy sauce and wasabi for you to mix to your liking (
). The «extra crisp toast» didn’t stay crisp which made eating it a challenge once some soy and wasabi were drizzled on top. Dipping may have been better. Flavors were OK, but didn’t seem worth the $ 19.
My sandwich came with a nice pile of fries on one side and some fruit and veggies on the other (
). There was a generous double layer of pork and a nice amount of the Cajun Mayo (
). It tasted pretty good, but the pork was somewhat dry.
Food was pretty average. Come here for drinks and the bathroom ;-)

Yes, the best thing about this place is probably the bathrooms. Have no expectations and just check them out.
I only came here to get some drinks and kill time. I got a Saranac beer which was pretty good – I’m not sure where it’s from but it was tasty.
I hear the fries are good and it seemed like everyone in the restaurant was eating chicken wings. If I ever came back here, I would try these dishes.
We came at around 11:00PM on a Saturday night and we got a table right away and when we left around midnight, a lot more people started to come in. Service was also a little subpar – I though the waiter was a little rude. These might be a factors for you if you’re planning on checking Bar 89 out.
Again, bathrooms.

As the novelty of «fogging» bathroom doors have worn off, so have the memories of a trendy, vibrant, and fun destination from those after-​college years. What remains of Bar 89 now is nothing more than a nice lounge to be visited out of convenience rather than by recommendation.
Cocktails and drinks are priced well north of $ 12, and one would think that the alcoholic content in the drink would justify that. It does not.
At some point, Bar 89 was popular for its savory desserts, namely the strawberry shortcake. Sadly, it has now been reduced to a large piece of
dried pound cake lathered with syrup and Haagen Daaz ice cream.
Once upon a time, crowds of people ranging from tourists to young and middle-​aged professionals filled the seats. There were as a wait even on weeknights. That is rarely seen now.
Bar 89 still remains a viable option for a late night drink and comfort food (waffle fries). Unfortunately, the truth reveals that the quality of the experience, alongside those fond memories, has faded.

The bathrooms here are crazy, unique, and fun. The glass doors switch from smoky to opaque when you lock it. I have no idea how this works, it’s mystifying and it looks cool too! So I suggest you slurp up those cocktails and make yourself trudge up the stairs for a potty break. The modern architecture that permeates this bar makes you feel like you’re in a sci-​fi flick.
The cocktails here are phenomenal. I really enjoyed the godiva chocolate and coconut cocktails. They were flavorful and STRONG. I didn’t make it to round two, but I did get to try my friends’ fruity ones and they were making me wish I had a higher tolerance so I could order more. If you’re looking for a chill place with a super cool vibe — this is an excellent bar to plop down at and enjoy your evening.

Drink a lot of water, because you’ll want to see the bathrooms at Bar 89.
This hidden little gem in soho seems very modern and hip. The food is great, big portions, great sandwiches, and even better chicken wings. Cool place to hang with friends, and grab a drink after a day of work or shopping!
Oh and since it’s called BAR 89, they have a fantastic alcohol selection with a rare sighting of Hangar one vodka! Only the coolest places have this, because this is one of my friend and I’s favorite drinks.