Rochelle’s

Nice place for a happy hour. They have a beer and a shot of whiskey special; that’s always good. It gets really crowded at some point and then get really really empty.

Spacious
Funny signs
Not that crowded
I saw someone bring a pie in so I guess that’s a plus.
Huge center gap: everyone is either at a table or sitting at the bar. Maybe it was just that night?

Went here after hours for New Years because after reading all the reviews thought it be a good bar to go too. Didn’t want the club seen this year. After paying for a ticket that I thought was necessary to buy the bouncer didn’t even ask for it. (Meaning I bought them for no reason). The bartender was super serious that it made me feel uncomfortable. No one was hardly there too. Was such a waste of money. Went next door and had even a better time. Not sure if I would come back here.

Nice LES bar with a good happy hour and crowd. The bartenders and staff are engaging and friendly which is always a plus. Head downstairs for dancing at 205 after several drinks!

Rochelle’s
NY Manhattan LES
9pm Saturday 2^nd January 2016
Four Stars
Rochelle’s is upscale dive bar complete with a decent liquor selection, craft cocktail list, faux marble counter top, filament lights but an overall with a salty feel. There were a couple small groups of females. There were plenty of wait staff: 2 bartenders, a barback and a waitress. I sat at the bar and used my Whiskey Passport to ge a Willet Rye which had a nice spice and oak flavor to it. The bartender was knowledgeable and friendly.
They have some funny framed cardboard signs which probably shouldn’t be repeated. However no matter how drunk you get abide my this sign «Do not fucking enter. Can’t you read Employees Only»

We found this place on Unilocal.Loved the descriptions, thank you Unilocalers! Your reviews did not disappoint. Great selection and knowledge of scotch. I tried scotches I’ve never heard of before, and I think I can teach a course on scotch! The staff was friendly and accommodating. Met the owner, who took me on a tour of Scotland … And Japan! The food is great, better than expected for a bar, believe me. I highly recommend Rochelle’s. If it were in my neighborhood I’d be there regularly.

This is a friend of mine’s go to spot, therefore I’ve been brought here quite a few times and I’ve always enjoyed it.
The prices are a little steep, but welcome to New York City.
The first thing that I was put on there is their happy hour beer and a shot of whiskey special. The bar specializes in whiskey. The staff is very friendly. It’s one of those bars where they cherish their regulars and hook them up. I’ve only been there a few times, but already feel like the bartenders are friends.
My friend lives for their burgers (Whimpy burger with fries). They are very good, but I can never finish them and my slow eating results in my fries being eaten by my friend. For this reason, we usually order extra fries on the side. The Frisky Fries & A Threesome is what they call it, which are parmesan and cracked pepper fries served with a 3 sauces… ketchup, cheese sauce and a garlic mayo type sauce.
The other day I tried their whiskey wings for the first time. They are in a honey bourbon glaze and served with sriracha mayo and they are absolutely delicious.
Overall, the place is a good time whether you go there on a Friday or a Monday. It’s a chill spot with good food and drinks.

This use to be my go-​to place when this really great female hip-​hop DJ used to spin here on Fridays (Shoutout to KStylez!). Their drinks are reasonably priced for the most part, and they have a good selection of spirits — more darks than clear I feel… Or maybe they just don’t have the clear spirits I always order.
I like that their bartenders are real human beings. They actually remind me of bartenders you meet at Brooklyn joints. They’re good about giving recommendations and running through the disgusting congestion of LES drunkards really efficiently.
They also have a downstairs club that spins EDM dance music. Gets super crowded at say 1−2am. A good crowd though — 20s/​30s and everyone is just there to have a good time. Might have to wait at the door for a little, but if you’re dressed nice and female, they’ll usually send you right in.
Bathroom situation upstairs is a nightmare. Ladies, go downstairs instead.

Great bar. Make sure you tug the beard of the bartenders /​managers to get a free drink!

Came here on a Friday night with some girlfriends for a fun night out. We went to the upstairs first, which was ok, just kind of your standard bar but then went downstairs. It’s pretty small and very dark but the dj was awesome and had a blast dancing with my girlfriends. Eventually they bring out glowsticks and everyone’s dancing and having a great time. Great place to go for a girls night out and dance w your friends, not a good place if you are looking to mingle with others!

The purpose of my visit last night was to check out the Gumshoe Art mural on the side of their building. Loved it! I don’t drink however wanted to check the place out. I went in and ordered a tonic and lime. The bartender/​owner could not have been friendlier. It was a Sunday night at about 11:00pm so I am guessing the atmosphere would be a lot different on a Friday or Saturday, nonetheless, it was inviting and friendly place even though I was 20 years older than anyone in the place. Thank you. much appreciated!

If you want to get rachet, this is the place. Super fun and the DJ played awesome music (lots of old school). At one point, they had a fog machine going. It was so 90’s and tacky, I LOVED it. The people were so totally disgusting and I’m fairly certain that 95% of them came from Jersey or Long Island and are/​were in a sorority or frat (no offense). BUT if you want to have a sloppy, fun dancing night then you should stop by.

Rochelles is a remarkable place. Their vodka-​soda selection is unparalleled in the City. I was impressed at the absence of kale and other «health-​craze» foods– that’s a tough position to take and I respect them for it.
If you’re a wine enthusiast, Rochelles has 2 (two!!) kinds of wine: Red and White. Add this to the wide variety of classic rock music and you have a perfect recipe for a great night.
I personally have enjoyed many different vodka-​sodas here and each of them was the best decision I have ever made there.
For real though, go drink whiskey, eat some wings (with fries), and make some bad decisions.

The bartenders are quick and friendly. Tons of variety when it comes to whiskey.
The French fries and the fried pickles are amazing!!! & I don’t even like pickles

Lively, rowdy bar that is your typical crowded hot mess on the weekends. If you can get in, try the downstairs area for dancing. Good music and a bunch of wasted 20-somethings…can’t lose.
Upstairs (first floor) is much more chill. I haven’t spent a lot of time here, but it’s a fun place to be if you’re in the LES.

I can’t remember why I ended up at Rochelle’s but my fuzzy memory tells me it was a friend’s birthday.
Even on a bone-​chilling January night, this place was packed at midnight when we arrived and I was pleasantly surprised by the scene. Rochelle is not responsible if you *ahem* «black out» and have sexual relations with a «fat chick» but to be honest, all of the females here were pretty good-​looking and had style. On a side note, two of these girls did end up in a fist fight. The crowd in general was fun and lively. Causal with a lot of tattoos.
The six of us had no problem getting drinks despite the crowd and we loved singing along with the DJ. She was spinning a solid mix of classics that you would mostly hear at a karaōke bar, your hipster boyfriend’s vinyl collection, or a wedding. Sounds cheesy but it worked.
This is a whiskey bar so be sure to indulge in what they have to offer. I love my Johnnie, but the bartender served me something else which I loved. Do I remember what it was? No. Sometimes things are meant to be forgotten… like the 70s porn playing on the wall.
Some of my friends made new friends here. New friends = shots and an invitation to go downstairs. Since I had to work the next day, I politely declined. Those who did accept said they had «fun».
One day Rochelle, I may return to you… after I decide which leather pants to wear.

Well-​stocked bar, great whiskey selection. Classy but casual atmosphere.
Taking a star off for the mean disclaimer sign on the wall («We are not responsible if you black out and fuck a fat chick.») I don’t think I want to spend my money at a place with that sort of callous approach to women’s bodies. Well-​stocked bars are plenty, this is NYC. No plans to come back.

I don’t think I ever met a Rochelle, but if I did I would now have to assume she was a fun chick, who would occasionally get me drunk, feed me, and always treat me well. That’s because Rochelle’s does that to me.
This has become my new Lower East Side hangout spot. Is it the crowd? The food? The employees? The drinks? That time my friend met this… Oh wait never mind that. It’s all those other things combined!
Ever since the LES has started sprouting up some «hip» meat packing area type lounges, you never know what type of spot you’re going to be walking into. Will it be a douchey bridge and tunnel crowd? A sloppy 20 year old soirée. A pretentious New York transplant yuppie ball? I’m glad to say Rochelle’s is none of those. It’s a great, laid back, young (but not too young), with great energy, friendly, New York, diverse, fun crowd. There is a connecting «lounge» next door, that goes downstairs and it’s not a crowd I care for, but unless that comes upstairs, Rochelle’s is a place I like to be.
After going there for drinks several times, I had to go back for the food. The burger is legit. Comes fully dressed, and had a great tangy BBQ sauce with it. Satisfied me for sure. I see the bar food is always changing, but with something unique every time. New versions of bar food classics.
I love drinking the Manhattan’s here. This place knows how to make them. Each bartender whips them up just the way I like em. Straight up, one cheery. Devon is always behind the bar, during football games, making sure everyone is getting what they want. This man knows how to hustle. The cocktail list has your classics, as well as the bar’s variations of them. The beer selection is pretty solid as well.
If you find yourself in the LES, and are looking for a bar that’s good for all occasions, (Maybe not weddings, though they do have a private room in the back) Rochelle’s is your spot.

Eh. This place doesn’t win any points with me as far as service. Waited patiently at the bar, only to be constantly ignored by the bartender, who went as far as to walk right past us several times to help other patrons. She even approached a girl standing next to us who had just arrived at the bar, while we were STILL waiting. We were still ignored.
Bartender finally graced us with a lift of her eyebrows and a «what do you want?» expression on her face. Okay, I’ll take it.
I’m sure the whiskey and cocktails are good, my friends enjoyed them. I just wanted a beer. Not worth the 20 minute wait.
Nice looking place. I give two stars for the fact that my friend picked this spot for his birthday celebration and I don’t want to insult him. But dive bars with attitude are a waste of my time.

I gave up fast food burgers a long time ago. (The way I see it, I have a limited number of burgers I can eat before I keel over, and I should make them good.) But who needs fast food when you’ve got the Happy Meal at Rochelle’s?
It’s a burger, a beer, and a shot for $ 10. And it comes with a free toy.
That’s everything I ever wanted in life, and it only cost $ 10. Sure, they were out of the toys, but as a replacement they gave me a «condom.» I’m not sure what people do with these things, but as I understand it, you CAN play with them so it makes it a valid toy replacement.
Beyond the Happy Meal, Rochelle’s also has a kickass selection of whiskey, excellent bartenders who don’t judge you for how many beer/​shot combos you throw back during happy hour, and hilarious signage in the bathrooms.
This is a good bar.