Pocket Bar NYC

The Pocket Bar is maybe 20 foot by 20 foot, so the name is appropriate. However, they made good use of their limited space with a largish bar (considering the overall size of the place), a couple high-​top tables and a window seat. Their drink selection is limited and they don’t serve food (besides gratis microwave popcorn). All drinks appear to be served from beer tap handles — and those drinks consisted of 4 wines (2 red, 2 white), a few beers, a cider, and a sangria (not on the tap). Perhaps I’m behind times, but I had not seen wine from beer-​style kegs before. They offer two wine pour sizes — 6 ounces and 9 ounces!
The vibe is friendly and a little funky. The bartender was friendly, but was distracted because someone (apparently) stole the high-​end air fresher from their super-​tiny restroom. Apparently air freshener theft is common at the Pocket Bar because they put one of those «Tile» GPS tracking devices on it! I had used the restroom shortly before the bartender discovered the «theft» — which she announced to the bar. Her phone app showed the air freshener was still in the bar. I felt oddly guilty, even though I didn’t take it (I swear!). The Pocket Bar must have some sort of obsession with air fresheners because they: (1) use a high-​end air freshener, and (2) also use one of those reed air fresheners in their restroom. Also, if you check out Unilocal photos for this place, someone uploaded a short video showing one of their air fresheners with a funny label on it.

At first, my friend and I walked right past it because we looked through the window and saw the bartender with a beret on. Honestly, we thought the place looked a bit snobby. But then we saw the sign for «fresh pineapple sangria» and thought it’d be worth checking out.
I was pleasantly surprised at how welcoming the place was. The bartender greeted us and the place didn’t feel all that pretentious as I had previously assumed. My friend and I ended up getting the Sharknado Sangria and it was delicious! They had old fashioned popcorn containers and toy sharks in the sangria that added a fun, funky vibe. It’s a small space, so I wouldn’t recommend bringing all your friends, but it’s great for intimate gatherings/​conversations. I will definitely be going back next time I’m in the area!

I love this wine bar so much. It’s cute, quirky and cozy and all the wall decal make it very charming. Pocket bar NYC is a good place to catch up with a friend — the music isn’t too loud and the bar itself is tiny — probably less than 300 square feet tiny — with a few stools. It’s so different from the super loud and overwhelming bars on 9^th avenue and I love this bar for that very reason.
Rumor has it the owners of this bar met at a bar on 43^rd and now they have their own bar on 48^th. Super cute. Not sure how accurate that story is BUT REGARDLESS SUZY IS AWESOME. Super friendly staff. And their sangria’s fantastic.
Come here for an escape from the city and sip wine /​beer on tap.