Old Town Bar Reviews Summary

Category: Gastropub New York

Address: 45 E 18th St, New York, NY 10003, USA

Phone: +12125296732

Rating: 4.4
based on 172 reviews.

Ambiance and Decor

Pros:

  • "A true gem that gets better with age; can’t beat their triple high ceiling and well worn mahogany bar."
  • "It has the original vaulted tin ceilings, the massive urinals that date back to 1910, 55 ft long mahogany bar, an antique cash register that looks like it's from late 19th century."
  • "Terrific old school bar where you need binoculars to see down either end."
  • "Incredibly cool place with its classic vibe and high ceilings."
  • "Classic! A really amazing space of yesteryear, with basic but well made bar food classics."
  • "Very old timey inside, history really comes alive while you sit at the gorgeous marble bar."
  • "This New York classic has an authentic vintage atmosphere. It has been on business for over 50 years."

Cons:

  • "The place is ancient, which has its charms although is does smell a little sour, like maybe decades of old beer or something."
  • "Although this place is like any other bar, do not be fooled by it advertising that it is an old NY bar, as it does not have that feel, or look."
  • "The antique toilets would be amusing if they were not so unclean."
  • "This place is very dark, and need more waiting staff."
  • "The ambiance is unbeatable."
  • "It stinks to trudge up the stairs to use the ladies room when there’s a huge men’s room with 100 year old urinals right next to the bar."
  • "Last time I went for a quick bite upstairs there was a roach on the wall next to my head that was about the size of my hand."

Service

Pros:

  • "The bar maids were nice and polite."
  • "Excellent spot on 18th street in Gramercy. Great service and atmosphere."
  • "Brian took care of us at the bar, he was delightful."
  • "The staff was cordial."
  • "Friendly, polite in the manner that exemplifies New York."
  • "The waitress was very friendly."
  • "Service was out of this world! Andy is one of the most sociable bartenders I've encountered."

Cons:

  • "But it's never been a friendly environment."
  • "The server was not rude, just not that welcoming."
  • "Server took our order but never came to check how things were."
  • "The waitress kept forgetting what we asked for and walked away while we were ordering."
  • "Long wait for server to take drinks order despite taking an order immediately from the next booth."
  • "The bartender was one of the least attentive bartenders I've dealt with."
  • "Our server was incredibly rude directly upon seating us, and continued to act as if we were inconveniencing and annoying her any time we ordered another pitcher of beer."

Food and Drinks

Pros:

  • "Like the name says Old Town Bar'. Nothing fancy just great food and drinks in one of the coolest old school bars I've ever been in."
  • "They have lots of types of pub style food but, if you like hot dogs, get the two dog platter which, by the way, was recommended by Martha Stewart years ago."
  • "Cheeseburger tasted really good."
  • "Burgers are pretty good."
  • "I had the Bison Burger, no cheese and all the other toppings with onion rings and a Guinness Stout. Maybe not the most adventurous, but it was the best burger I have had in New York, and the best onion rings I ever had."
  • "Spinach and artichoke dip was excellent."
  • "The food is very very good and so are the drinks."

Cons:

  • "But the drinks are very pricey for a regular bar. We ordered one cider and one beer and we paid $22!!"
  • "Weak beer list, uncomfortable bar stools, no hooks under the bar for your bag."
  • "We ordered medium, and at best, it came medium rare... but honestly, it was closer to rare."
  • "All items on the menu are overpriced for the Manhattan market (which is already overpriced)."
  • "They tasted weak and watered down."
  • "The corn soup was lukewarm, watery and flavorless."
  • "My vegetarian burger seemed to just be a previously frozen mixed veg patty, esp as it was twice the size of the bun."

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