Up & Down

This place is horrible! Came here with a total of 5 of us and still had to wake over an hour to get in. Apparently Nick Jonas was going to be which took an additional hour to just get situated. We didn’t care about Nick Jonas and still were SHOVED around by the black security. My uncle owns a few clubs in Manhattan so he will be hearing about this. Do not attend up&down it was a joke. Very small. And I’ll be damned the next time some fucking loser pushes me around for being confused and not knowing exactly where I’m going. Dirty mother fuckers.

I had such an amazing time at this club! One of the best clubbing nights from my entire trip. Partying in NYC is different (in comparison to LA, Vegas or Miami)…everything from the crowd, to the music, to the scene.
I walked in with a host, I arrived on a Friday around 1 AM. We waited for 5 minutes outside, I did notice the group before me was turned away and my promoter said I needed to wait until they left (in order for us to be brought in.) I thought this was really messed up but it’s nothing I am able to control.
Once inside, we were taken to his table. There was a small dance floor and everyone I came across was super nice. The DJ for sure is why I’m giving this 5 stars. he played everything from Calvin, Bieber, Biggie! I will definitely be back next time I am in NYC!

Parents BEWARE! The doormen supply cocaine to young women. They use them to lure men to club. This place is disgusting

Unbelievable. I went to Up & Down for a night and bought two drinks ($ 40). Next day I see an additional $ 80 charge on my card. I let the manager know and he said that I should wait three to five business days for it to go off my account. The charge posts. I call every day for a week and this girl keeps telling me that the manager will get back to me. This was almost a month ago and I still have not heard from him nor received a refund.

If I could I would give this place zero stars! I came to NYC to visit from California and I have never been treated with more disrespect than I have here. The bouncers are extremely pretentious just as other reviews have mentioned and they seem to only let the ugly girls in. Im talking about the frumpy looking girls that wear no makeup, sneakers, and cardigans to this club. Its rediculous!!! Hate this place and the people who work here are a complete and utter joke! If you want to have a good time I suggest you go elsewhere.

Worst place ever. They kept letting other people in and didn’t let me two friends in that are black. They told them they had to either buy a bottle or open a tab of $ 150 just to get inside. The bouncers and people are so rude. Worst place ever. Wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone. Doesn’t Even deserve one star.

I can’t comment on what a normal club night is like but I went here right before my Christmas vacation started for a holiday party through Mashable and it was AWESOME. Upon entering the service was so fantastic that about five minutes in I realized I was staying for the duration. Servers coming up to me with little goat cheese flat breads, sliders, and a variety of other treats that were catered accompanied with flutes of champagne. Excellent dj music choice, excellent bartending service. When they didn’t have ingredients for something I particularly had in mind, they whipped something else up that tasted great. The event had hired a sushi chef even so there was an unlimited sushi bar. People were super hospitable and really great with pointing out where the bathrooms were in a two-​level dance space. The setting is a little dark on the lower level with a disco ball and animal pelts adorning the walls. Upstairs is more brightly lit and spacious with some nice lounge sofas. I probably wouldn’t come here for a normal occasion since I’m not a club person at all but this was a great experience.

Let me just start of by saying that I am not a club person. I hate pretentious doorman, the overpriced drinks, overcrowdedness, I roll my eyes at people who get bottle service… Up and down has all of these things, but I love it!
The first time I got into this club, it was on a whim, I passed by from already a long night out around 1:30 AM on a saturday. I wanted to see what the hype was so I tried my hand at the door. The people in front me didn’t get in a group of good looking people. I found the name of the DJ on instagram who was playing in the downstairs. I said their name and got right in. I initially had no idea that they played hip hop. The ‘Up’ was jumping the DJ was amazing and the crowd was dancing and had a good time.
The second time I went was when I had a ticket for the thanksgiving day eve party. This time I had a ticket so it was no problem getting in. I had the same great time and it was a great DJ. Even found the hidden photo booth downstairs next to the bathroom.
I see why people don’t like this club because it has a pretentious door, which I absolutely hate, but I think if you say you’re there for the downstairs DJ you’ll be fine.

Great club located in West Village/​Chelsea area!
— The music is a mixture (upstairs = top 40/​hip-​hop, downstairs = techno/​house)
— Tough door if you are a group of gentlemen without a table, you probably won’t get in unless you’re willing to shell out some cash for a table.
— Never a cover charge if you bring an appropriate ratio
— There are 2 secret rooms located downstairs (1 is behind a bookcase with an access code to get in and the other is located down a long hallway ****Look for the random bouncer standing next to the downstairs bar!).
— Smoking patio is located behind a curtain
— Never a line for bathrooms!
— Always use a promoter for this place and you can generally drink for free!
— Don’t come before 1:00 nobody will be there!
Cons
— Drink prices are outrageous and really 5 $ for a half a glass of soda!
*Pro Tip: If you want to get into this place say that you are here for the downstairs techno/​house events (Sheik N Beik, Zig Zag) you will have a way easier time getting in.

This is seriously one of the worst places I’ve been to.

Pretentious yes man at the door– owner possibly. Saw good looking and well dressed people wait in line for 40 minutes while people in shabby sneakers and hoodies get let in after walking up. It’s all about who you know here no matter how well presented you are even at 11:30pm.
Yes this is one of those reviews where it’s one star bc my two girlfriends and I didn’t get in — which I usually find annoying. However, I’m writing it bc this man was rude and condescending to us. Bouncers were not rude to us however. I know when people think they’re pretty or dressed nicely and they actually aren’t– this isn’t one of those cases.
Go here with a promoter or somewhere else that you’ll be treated with respect and not looked up and down and told that if you go in you «have to stay downstairs» and then have the door man and the bouncer conference together about whether you’re good enough to get into their club.
We didn’t wait for them to decide but went to Lenora instead and got treated respectfully and had a great time with great music.
This club is average inside, I’ve been before on a weekday after some gallery showings on the early side of the evening. That’s the only positive thing I have to say.
Won’t be back after being treated as if I have no makeup on and am wearing sweatpants. Not amused.

Super long wait to the bar. I ordered a vodka soda and a g&t and it turned out to be $ 34.
That is ridiculously exorbitant considering the venue isn’t even nice.

I had a really good time here with a friend for a fashion week party. He made the night cool cause in general, this place sucks.
One bar had a 2 drink minimum while the other one didn’t, people were extremely aggressive & pushy for no reason, the music was blah.
People needed to chill the eff out. The situation was not that serious.
The place itself is ‘meh’
Conveniently located, but a true yawn & snore spot.
*places the mic on the floor & takes a nap*

Very easy door. My gf & I went, didn’t know anybody, waited in line for maybe 3 seconds. ID’s checked, we were in… Great music, awesome vibe, everyone danced (no pretentious wallflowers), & Naomi Campbell was there just strolling around. We went a cpl days after Rihanna’s bash, so the all around energy was still high. Would def go again. Had a sweet time

Good selection of music, old and new. Obviously go with a promoter. It got crowded around 1:30 on a Friday. I was with a group of friends so didnt really get a
Feel for the crowd, but no complaints there. Dont forget to check out downstairs, and the staircase leading there, as well as the lighted cursive on your way out.

If you know the right night to go, and what to say at the door, the downstairs is pretty sweet. Reminds me of some secret after hours basement spots in Paris. Nice sound system and cool people.
Upstairs is usually hip hop.

Places like ‘Up & Down’ make my blood boil.
Bouncers are beyond rude and do NOT know left from right. You’re getting paid to stand there and do absolutely nothing.
You must know a promoter to get inside if NOT you will have to stand on a nonexistence line — and the bouncers informing you to speak with a promoter. Things like that make my blood boil. It’s 2015, please get your things together.
I didn’t bother waiting on line, but I did tell the bouncers how I felt.
Supposedly the doors close at 3am — lies.
I do NOT recommend ‘Up & Down.’

Upon reading the other reviews one might think yikes I’m staying clear and yes, you probably should if you’re not the type that likes to get flashy and throw out dough or don’t have friends on the inside.
I know people here and have been going to these kinds of clubs since I first arrived in NYC so my review is based on the overall experience that kind of living provides ya. With that being said — I’m a picky b*tch when it comes to nightclub experiences and I think overall Up & Down provides an amazing experience. They consistently are bringing in big name talent so the line-​up is pretty much always going to be impressive. Once you’re on the inside you’re likely to rub elbows with a-​listers or catch your favorite new rap artists just hanging out. The first time I came Leonardo DiCaprio was there, the last time we ran into Makonnen, ASAP Ferg and I’ve heard of many other big names attending regularly.
The music when I’ve been has mostly been hip-​hop crossed over with top 40s but good renditions, definitely a step up from the dive bar and other top 40 spots.
Also, and this is silly, but they have fun party favors and I like that. After picking up some cheapo plastic rings and bling bling from a nearby table I felt silly but it’s the little things that count and this little touch definitely put a smile on my face.
If you do know people in nightlife you can expect to run into lots of familiar faces. If you don’t know anyone, my best recommendation is to get onto a promoter’s list and make sure you dress to impress. You don’t have to be the hottest person in the world, if you dress the part and know how to carry yourself you’ll be just fine. Skip the button up and opt for some nice shoes (no sneakers unless you’re a rap mogul, c’mon on guys) and wear something stylish, grab something from the latest runway and you’ll be fine. Don’t show up with big groups either and expect to all get in, space is limited and there is no shortage of people who want to get in.
People get so angry with doormen but think of it this way, they’re there to filter the party. Bring something to provide for the party, show up with swagger and a fun attitude, dress nicely and chances are you’ll be fine, respect them and be ready to bring the fun. No matter what, don’t be a dick otherwise you’ll definitely never be allowed in. Doormen aren’t «stupid» or «racist» they are the curation artists of nightlife, respect the velvet rope. They wouldn’t come into your office and stomp all over your desk and tell you what to do, so don’t do that to them. If you’ve been before and one night you show up and they tell you no, say thanks anyway and be on your way, it’s the chill thing to do. I know a guy, who knows a really important guy, who’s best friends with the most important guy of all but you’ll never find me standing out front yelling and screaming.

Do you want to party in a souless basement with amateurs behind the bar serving the rail liquor out of the top shelf bottles?
You’ll love this place.
I came here for an afterwork party with an open bar and ordered a neat premium tequila of the kind I am accustomed to drinking at home. «You’ll have to pay for it,» I was told. And I did, $ 18 with a $ 2 tip for 2 fingers.
It burned my mouth and throat like a low end sugar moonshine that had been poured through crushed walnut shells for color. Had they made this stuff themselves in the alley in an old clawfoot bathtub? I wondered.
The bartender looked at me quizzically as I choked up the burning solvent and pushed the glass back across the bar.
«I’m sorry. This is undrinkable,» I said.
«Ok. Can I get you something else?, he asked empathetically.
«Yes please, I’ll have the reposado,» I replied. He complied.
I took a small sip and was transported to a dive bar in a Mexican bordertown. I could smell urine and felt as if I needed to pick a thick beard hair out of my teeth. Did a burro just whip me in the face with its tail?
«This is worse the than last thing you served me.» I said with understated exasperation.
«Yes,» he shrugged.
«I’ll just have a bottled water please,» I said giving up.
«Eight dollars, please.»

FIRST AGAIN!
Fans of Nells and The Plumm Club will love this new iteration of a very popular address in NY Nightlife. I’ve been here twice, both for private events (once when it wasn’t even officially open yet, during Fashion Week in February) and the space is a throwback to those old days when both the upstairs and the downstairs were accessible for partying. Unlike when it was The Darby, with just a downstairs lounge, this place boasts both spaces. It’s awesome because you can have two different parties essentially going at the same time, which wasn’t the case when I went, but the music was different of course because there were two different DJs.
There’s also a whole bunch of neon lights everywhere, with a couple odes to a certain rapper by the name of Jay-​Z, if you’re familiar with MCHG. And if you take the back staircase to head upstairs or downstairs, prepare to spend like 15 minutes there because the lights are really cool so you’re going to want to take a lot of pictures. The door is just as hard to clear (if not harder) than when it was The Darby, just an FYI.