2.5 stars It's not a bad bar...in fact it's kind of endearing. It's not so cheap for a dive bar, but if you like good beer, they have a good list. If you're looking for a place to slink into at the end of the night that isn't completely swamped, this is probably it. And it's not because its dull, or creepy or abandoned, it just never happens to be too busy, despite the large illuminated sign guiding you to your destination. The lack of population isn't because its a new bar, because The Rook (preceding bar) was the same way. I dunno what it is. There are worse bars that are far more populated, but aaanyways it doesn't really have anything unique to keep you, not even cheep beer, and that's all I need. The crowd (when anyones in there) doesn't suck, so thats a plus. Oh and happy hour is legit. Bottom line, its just completely average, but some people like that.
(3)
Meredith F.
Disclaimer: I am not into dive or dive-like bars. I walked in on Saturday night, smelled the aroma of wet towels, sweaty socks, and stale beer, heard the typical bar music, and walked out. It was around 2 am and there were about 10 people in the whole place, which was really dark, even by bar standards. The "decor" is pretty non-existent. The floor is a black and white tile that looks like it's been there since the place was built. Basically, if you like dive bars, music by Journey, and having a "chill" night out, you will probably like this place.
(1)
David T.
Arrow has a good crowd that likes to dance, at least when i was there. It's usually busiest from 11pm-2am, after that the crowd dies down a bit. There is a DJ who spins on Fridays sometimes who plays good music, indie-dance & that sort of thing. I don't really dig the heavy metal happy hour, although 2 for 1 drinks is an awesome deal.
(4)
Kathryn Y.
This bar is good as a starter bar for the night. It's not exclusive and they play good music (I feel like I always hear The Smiths when I walk in) and when it's crowded enough, there's just the right amount of dancing in the back. Big Buck Hunter and the photobooth are a classic. I've always gone on Fridays and Saturdays and it's decently crowded. I passed by last Thursday night though and there were only 2 people there.
(3)
David G.
I didn't have anything to drink here but their selection looked pretty good. I loved the ambiance of this place - mellow, downplayed, and full of interesting people.
(4)
Christopher O.
Arrow has become a regular part of my weekly routine for a couple reasons: 1. I host a trivia night there on Monday nights at 8pm. But I swear that aside from that plug, my review is completely unbiased. 2. They have a 2-FOR-1 HAPPY HOUR THAT RUNS UNTIL 9PM. Seriously, #2 is reason enough, but their drinks are great any time. They have some creative cocktails, and their beer list, albeit smaller than its predecessor The Rook in the same location, is still quite strong and unique. Arrow is a great subterranean hideout for those looking for a mellow nook or cranny during happy hour... then, the place heats up at night with some great tunes.
(5)
Matthew R.
Great place for intellectual conversation.
(5)
Rika S.
Dark bar but I loved it! 2 for 1 happy hour that goes on till 9pm (I think) deal is great. I had their blueberry frozen margaritas and OMG were they strong!
(4)
Jason Vuong D.
Bring on the Wedding Music. Stumbled upon this joint on a bar crawl Saturday. The venue and people were aite and chill but the part that got me was the dj playing the randomness! We found ourselves trying to do some salsa, the mash potato and even some old school dance from 90s hip hop. The 90s were my 80s!
(3)
Kate S.
Me and three of my friends were pick-pocketed here with our bags on our bodies. Another friend said she too had been pick-pocketed here a few weeks prior--so apparently there is a case of sticky-fingers in this bar. The bouncer was actually very nice but it didn't change the fact that I now have to cancel all of credit cards and phone and get a new license and insurance cards etc.
(1)
Harper S.
After being screwed over by another venue, I came across Arrow Bar on Sheckys Party Aid (one of my fave things ever!) I contacted their manager to see about setting up my party there and reserving a spot. He was such a nice guy, more than helpful. Reserved a whole seated area. Had a big party there. Everyone was happy. It got a bit crowded and hot but everyone seemed to be having fun. The music was good. Major downside was the bathroom situation - there was ALWAYS a line.
(3)
Lauren W.
This place is really solid, as far as dive bars go. Decently priced drinks, a good crowd, and really good music that really made me wanna dance around. Its a really nice mix of a place because its not too sketchy, and not too trendy. I had a good time, basically.
(4)
damian b.
A regular bar nothing big here just a water hole but hard to find it is hidden, you have to go down stairs to find it. Drink are good a chill spot. Some nights Dj's comes to play for reggae Tuesday.
(3)
molly c.
arrow bar is brought to you by the letter A. arrow bar is just about perfect. i can imagine having a date end here, i can imagine getting drunk on the happy hour specials here (oh wait. that second one happened!) the space is great, bartender was great (joannna, i think - sorry if i got the spelling wrong) and i had a great time. next time people want to meet in alphabet city, i am suggesting arrow bar to start the night right.
(4)
Don T.
I love arrow bar. It's sort of the perfect dive bar. I just noticed someone else wrote that too, but no matter. Great music, no frills, cute girls, cheap booze. I seem to end up there constantly.
(5)
sam j.
Went to Arrow Bar this past Saturday for someones birthday, and couldn't understand why they had chosen this place. Don't get me wrong, I love ambience (dim light and good tunes) in my bars, but this place had taken subdued lighting to a whole new level. I could barely see my friends across from me in our booth. The music volume was overkill, as well. As far as service goes, it was abysmal. I am used to ordering beers in clubs and very crowded bars, but even when we first got there and Arrow was pretty empty, the female bartender was totally unattentive. She seemed more interested in checking her blackberry constantly than getting drinks (even after finally taking my order she responded to a text before pouring my beers). Prices were standard ($5 yuengling), and with nothing sticking out as a positive for this bar, I won't be returning if I'm in the area when there are so many other bars around.
(2)
Noy K.
Free Dewar's whisky for two whole hours? Yay! Small, nice bartenders, good music selection. Good mix of young people. Lots of sausages and not enough buns, but whose complaining? I very much enjoyed myself on a Tuesday night.
(4)
Ted L.
2 for 1 til 9pm. $6 bk lager. Quiet and dark. Bartender's ipod had some good tunes. Also not what I would consider a dive.
(5)
Brent B.
As a small child I loved the Lone Ranger, his horse Silver and his trusted sidekick Tonto. Something about guns, bullets, bows and arrows really got me all worked up. As an adult, I've replaced my minor infatuation with slightly homo-erotic men dressed up in masks and their horses and sidekicks for Bourbon and glassware. Lucky for me Arrow bar sells Bourbon, in nice glasses. I was there for there opening night party and I had a great time. The place wasn't uncomfortably crowded and the bartenders were quick and responsive. I also liked the fact that it's a basement bar. I prefer to enjoy my Manhattans in relative darkness. There's no telling what Arrow Bar will be like in three weeks once the word gets out but in the mean time, you should make your way down to the basement. I also heard, from a reliable source I might add, that Tuesday is Arrow Bar's best night. See you there. I'll be the guy wearing the tight cowboy outfit with the hat and mask.
(5)
Aimee A.
Nice little dark basement bar with decent prices. Not a very unique interior, but it's quite the classic-looking New York bar. Never had a bad night when I went out here!
(3)
matt w.
i came here the other weekend for an after party after a show i went to. the band i knew played an impromtu half set in the back which started an awesome dance party (i mean who doesnt like when those start?). otherwise, didnt buy a drink there, i think my roommate got me one, but i had a really good time and would probably go back. can i give it 4 1/2 stars cause its not close to any subway lines?
(4)
charlotte G.
Fairly small, nice bar, areas to sit down in back, not what I would call a dive bar but somewhat hidden. On a Saturday night went from empty to very crowded within about 1.5 hours from 9-1030. The crowd seemed good, not too college-y and all from nyc, not too dressed up.
(4)
S G.
Went here Sat night for my gf's bday and had a great time. I made arrangements with the owner?/manager? before-hand and everything work great. Place is pretty small so having a table or two helped. Bartenders Tim and Sandy were great too. DJ played dance tunes and top 40- all the stuff girls love. Music was def too loud for such a small places. My ears were still ringing when I got home and some people still felt it the next day. But overall a great night.
(4)
Matt L.
the only bar worth going to in manhattan besides pianos.
(5)
Seth M.
A great place as long as you enjoy watching the bartenders ignore you as they talk to their friends. It's honestly faster to go down the street, buy a beer, drink it, and then come back--or just go someplace else. I don't have much tolerance for bad bartenders.
(2)
Megan O.
Best on the weekdays when the crowd is pretty much non existent. The Dj's play some good jams and when the timing is just about perfect, people begin to dance, and there you have it. From East Village dive to private dance party. The Bartenders are some of the better ones in city. Overall, it's a good place to wet your whistle.
(4)
Anna K.
i've been to gay bars, small town bars, international bars, bars at venues, ritzy bars, more than enough dive bars, and i have never.. never... been made less welcome than the bartender working this bar made me and my friends feel. i don't expect much... give me liquor, dont have an attitude are my only rules. do NOT snap at me when I ask you about your happy hour special. the chalkboard advertising the happy hour special is the only reason i walked down the basement stairs to begin with. the stale smell of cheap beer is what i battled before finally getting your attention. and seriously, you're not cute or charismatic enough to snap at me and then flash an obviously fake smile. get over yourself. would never ever ever come back here even if they had free vodka flowing. also, their happy hour is buy one get one on PREMIUM liquor drinks, aka. you're going to be paying for a grey goose cocktail. so not worth it. would rather pay the same price at a real dive bar with a friendlier atmosphere.
(1)
Aaron Y.
As far as dive bars go, Arrow is one of my favorites. Drink specials that get the job done (any shot and a beer for $8), music that actually gets people dancing and socializing, and unpretentious bartenders who seem like genuinely nice people who aren't solely out for tips. There's ample seating including a nice lounge area. Definitely worth a visit just for the experience!
(5)
Chuck C.
If you can't already tell, I'm a huge proponent of the dive-bar; nothing exemplifies the genre quite as well as Arrow Bar. Located in the immensely cool area of Alphabet City where ave A and 6th street meet, Arrow Bar fits in well with a neighborhood that has been associated with seedy bars since time immemorial. It's great to see a place that keeps the tradition of cheap drinks and social bartenders alive in a town where overcrowded clubs with annoying DJ's have become (sadly) the norm. Don't get me wrong, I like the aforementioned annoying DJ and anti-social bartender once in a while, but it's good to know there's still a place to go where you can find a cheap beer/shot combo and listen to the Clash (make sure to walk over and pay homage to the man, Joe Strummer at his 7th Street mural, which I believe they put back up). You could be forgiven for almost missing this place as you walk up or down avenue A, in your quest for a cold beer, and I have many a time. But if by chance you happen to notice the stairwell down to this subterranean gem, you're in for a grungy treat. Walking in you'll find a place that is covered in graffiti from ceiling floor, band stickers adorning the bathroom fixtures. Not long ago they had a Sega Genesis reissue that was loaded with classics like "Streets of Rage" and "Sonic", probably the coolest thing I've seen in a city bar and should IMMEDIATELY be brought back. The space itself is enormous, and takes up the entire basement of the building. This means you can bring a load of your buddies who are looking to drink on the cheap, driving home the essence of what it means to be in a dive bar; dirt-cheap whiskey and friends. Arrow Bar is a must visit on any proper stumble through Alphabet City, don't miss the opportunity to drink in one of the truly great dive bars of the city. When you're done it's a quick walk down to the lower east side where the other dives are holding out against the invasion of overpriced clubs our city seems so fond of.
(5)
Katrina S.
Fantastically bad: the tell-tale sign of a good dive bar. It's literally a dive, i.e. underground. You will walk past it like 5 times before asking someone at the bodega, and they won't know where it is either. Once you actually find the place, divey is as divey does: serves cheap drinks with cheap alcohol, plays mostly rock, and as other reviews mention, rarely has toilet paper or soap. Plot twist: later at night, Arrow gets ratchet as bleeeeeeep. G-g-get yo' freak on.
(3)
Joy S.
Apparently arrow is no more and I'm truly heart broken. Rest in peace to a true east village dive bar that had a little something for everyone. I'm going to miss this place :(
(5)
Nauman S.
Used to be a good underground bar but now it's just any other bar with slow service and rude bartenders.
(3)
Tyler L.
I used to go here a lot back in the day. This bar is easy to walk by and miss. It is located underneath a restaurant - just look for the stairs leading down to the basement. It's a dive bar plain and simple, but an above average one. Dimly lit, Buck Hunter arcade, and graffiti covering the walls. It is usually vibrant and has a good chill atmosphere. They have a rotating group of live DJs who play mostly rock music which is great for me. Drinks here are cheap, with a two for one drink special during happy hour.
(4)
Maria V.
Love this hole on the wall. The music was banging, hip hop, house, reggaeton , but no dembow tip for DJ spin Arcangel , De la ghetto, EL Alfa, El Mayor Clasico etc , IWe was there for Halloween. spot was pack, free admission and cute niggas , Latinos Brothas.
(4)
Mel T.
2 for 1 drinks until 9 p.m.! Is this place a dive? Yes. Does it smell like a toilet? Yes. Will you walk past it like an idiot? Quite possibly. (I'll do you a solid and save you some time - Arrow Bar is down the stairs) Probably not the best place to sit and chill for hours but it is a good place to grab a few quick drinks.
(3)
Maria P.
Basically the only reason I come here besides the cheap drinks is on Fridays forever. DJ Dirtyfinger always have the best line ups and it's always a good time when him and DJ Teeburr play a set .
(4)
Roxanne S.
Trashy, dirty and loud. Just not a place you want to be seen in. I saw cockroaches running across the bar as I ordered a drink...there are so many better options in alphabet city.
(1)
Sandy O.
I wandered in here and I'm fucken glad I did. I'm old school with the hip hop and the music tonight is on point. The bartenders are super attentive. That's the biggest plus. This could be my new regular
(5)
Liz L.
Go on an off night to have a conversation you might have with your mob boss. Go on an on night for a sardine-experience. I always measure a place based on three major things: Service, atmosphere, and quality. What's that you say, 2 for 1 drinks until 9? Why, don't mind if I do. Service is average. It is not particularly friendly, but no trouble getting a drink. However, when I came in it was totally empty. Ambiance is super sketchy and divey, but lots of room to sit! That's a huge plus in a city that's hurting for space. Drink quality was average. you get exactly what you would expect.
(3)
Blagg G.
This place was chill and the price for drinks was pretty good. Does it have a smell like drunk people wasting away? It does but I guess I dont really mind that so much because I would go back. I would totally go back but not that often.
(3)
William P.
Absolutely the worst experience at a bar I have ever had. There's really no reason to come here when there are thousands of places light years better than this walking distance away. Encountered the rudest bartender I have ever seen, who also was so intoxicated (on something other than alcohol, it appeared) that she was incapable of pouring beer out of a can and into a glass -- half of it ended up on the floor. It was quite a sight. Don't waste your time here.
(1)
Cynthia M.
Great music on a Friday night and pretty packed. Pretty mixed group of people and drinks are a decent pour.
(3)
Morgan C.
A first class place full of degenerates.
(5)
Lindsay M.
BIG fan of this place. The most important thing to know is happy hour is 2 4 1 until 9pm and there are beer cubby holes on the wall to hold your drink. I've never had a bad time here and I've been for numerous occasions. There is usually a DJ and good tunes. The back section is a good spot for birthday parties. Sometimes they have special events like metal happy hour and gay night. Although those aren't really my thing it still was a really great time. Oh, they also have Big Buck Hunter!
(5)
Lama B.
Todd and i came in at 8 pm on a Wednesday night for drinks. We were really one of the 2 sets of patrons there, but the bartender was a great gal, and made us a decent manhattan with the well whiskey. For 6 dollars we were out of there, and we were decently drunk and happy. I really love happy hour. Have I mentioned that I love happy hour? I think anyone who knows me for 3 minutes knows that.
(3)
Samantha D.
The atmosphere and the all around vibe of this place is pretty neat. It wasn't to busy when I walked in, but there were still a good amount of people. The music was great and everyone seemed to be relaxing and having a great time. It's in a great location where there is a lot to do around so if you decide you want to barhop, you have a lot of variety around you. Beers were around $6; they had a special where you can get a free shot as well. I didn't stay too long to get that great of a feel for what they had to offer but this is definitely a place I want to come back to. When I do, I'll be updating my review!
(4)
Dan C.
Looking for a divey East Village bar? Here ya go. I came here with some friends on a steamy Saturday night to have some drinks. In typical East Village fashion, the bar was downstairs, narrow, dimly light, and plastered in graffiti. I sometimes wonder if the owners of places like this either let this crap happen organically or pay designers gobs of money to achieve that "East Village" feel. The booze was cheap, people were dancing on the makeshift dance floor (a 7 foot by 5 foot open space in front of the dj booth on your way to the bathroom), the bartenders were friendly and the waify hipster dj was spinning some really good hip-hop. The only downside was that the doorman told me I looked like Ben Stiller. I hate that, but he was just trying to be friendly, which is a rare event for a doorman / bouncer. We came, we saw, we had a good time.
(3)
Alexander T.
I was a bit hesitant upon arriving to Arrow bar, but this bar welcomes all! Let's start with THE BOUNCER. He likes to joke and interact with the crowd, something MANY bars don't do enough of. This makes me want to return to a business like this. The BARTENDERS! I think she had orange hair, but she was always attentive and made sure everything was fine with the booze-seeking audience. The second time I spent a couple hours at Arrow bar, only the really tall white guy was working. Although the service wasn't as prompt, he made sure everyone was satisfied and did a great job serving drink after drink to what seemed like a alcohol-deprived crowd. Props to that guy! These bartenders not only contributes to the customer-return rate, but good business. *Be considerate to your bartender, they work diligently to get you shit-faced! Happy hour is until 9, but it's definitely not expensive. You could have 2 cranberry vodka's for $6 and be buzzed! OH, they also fill your shot glass till the top. THE ENVIRONMENT & MUSIC One attribute I truly enjoy about Arrow bar is the diversity. You'll find and appreciate individuals of all kinds and unorthodox dance moves. Additionally, you'll probably have a conversation and possibly a debate about whether girls poop or not. On a more serious note, the crowd always seems to appreciate a good night and attempts to make this place vibrant. The age range of weak-kneed- booze-sippin crowd seems to be approximately 21-30. But hey, all are welcomed! Music is normally hip-hop and even a bit of dance-hall. You're thinking " I don't even like that music", but by the end of the night, someone will welcome you to dance foolishly. ONE CON Not that I had to violently erupt shit out my asshole, but apparently toilet paper tends to run out quick and remains missing for the remainder of the night. Pretty girls come here so I'm sure a lucky guy wouldn't want a girl dancing on him with a foul smell. =-o Overall, great place to interact with interesting people and not remember them the next morning. Good place to enjoy your night!
(4)
David B.
I think that I'm over "dive" bars. This place is one of them. My girlfriend and I had to ask the bartender (possibly a new one) each time for the 2 4 1 deal, having first been rung up as paying for 2 identical beers each time. We were obviously together, and were clearly ordering to take advantage of the special, really odd. I noticed others were also missing out on the happy hour "deal". "Filthy" accurately sums up the decor.
(2)
Jenny M.
What a dive bar should be. Dark. Great music and a sick happy hour until 9pm.
(4)
Aviva G.
If theres one thing I absolutely hate, its wasted beer. And thats what Arrow Bar does for the most part, by letting its taps get SKUNKED. I came here due to their allegedly good happy hour deal (2 for 1 goes until 9) but when I tasted my beer it was immediately apparent that the beer had been spoiled. I asked the bartender if I could swap it out, but the other taps were also skunked. I then asked if I could get a bottled beer, but those are not included in the happy hour and the bartender would not let me substitute a bottled beer even though the taps were all bad. My friends who I was with both stuck with mixed drinks. They both got vodka cranberries, but their drinks looked and tasted different. (One was very strong, other very weak. no uniformity.) We sadly didnt want to get our second drink even though it was free because the place was so bad. No matter how good a deal is, it doesnt matter if the drinks are bad. I would rather pay more and not have to drink spoiled beer.
(1)
Liz C.
Hearkens back to the good old days of my Early-to-Mid-Twenties, when "going to a dive bar in Alphabet City" was the choicest itinerary for any night of the week: -Big Buck Hunter. -Carded and scrutinized at the door by a skinny dude with a beard. -A chatty, baby-faced brand-spankin' new Floridian import to NYC bought me all my drinks while pitching his screenplay to me. And didn't try to get my number. -Cash only. Oh, but I am wiser to the ways of the world now, and always carry cash! Sorry neighboring bodega; your ATM does not earn my transaction fee. -A chick wearing black eyeliner and Chucks gave me a clove and kissed me in a phone booth outside. She asked me how old I was; I told her, and she said, "Holy crap. I mean, that's beautiful. I turn twenty-one in May. Shhh." -Late-night carbs at Pomme Frites. -Generic brand mixed drinks, poured generously. Gin & tonic. Whiskey coke. Vodka soda. You know the drill. -Solid beats. Danced, danced, danced.
(3)
ReviewHaiku F.
Skip this bar at night Sardine packed basement lair Sub-par photobooth.
(2)
Jane K.
Elements of a good dive bar: - Off the beaten path, basement location - Surly bartenders that threaten to break your fingers when you crack a joke about swiping an extra beer while they're on a 20 minute cigarette break - Grimy, single bathroom covered in vomit crusts and graffiti - Buck Hunter and a photo booth, both of which only sometimes work and have a tendency to eat your cash - Amazing music that has you hysterically shaking your booty as you bump into other elated hipsters on the tiny dance floor - Cheap drinks and shot specials in addition to whatever happy hour special is running at said moment - Dark nooks and corners where you may or may not have once watched a heavily tattooed chick wearing a plaid uniform make out with a short guy with a sombrero on.
(5)
Mike E.
A great spot to get drinking cheaply and effectively at the start of a big night out. Happy hour runs till 9:00 and a shot and a beer will only set you back $6 - a good deal considering the excellent location.
(4)
Katie R.
This place was pretty cool... I'd say maybe 3.5 stars. The only major downfalls were that there was not too much of a dancefloor (was constantly being interrupted by people trying to walk by or through) and there was only 1 bathroom with a long line, which wasn't a big deal for me but was for my friends. But they had a nice bar area that was pretty big so you didn't feel crowded while trying to order a drink - although it was hard to get through the people sitting in chairs at the bar to get the bartenders attention to order a drink. My friend bought 2 bottles of champagne from the bar so that was a major win in my book lol. And let's see - the DJ was pretty fricking great. Awesome music, except for 1 random song that no one had any idea was and everyone literally stopped dancing as soon as it came on which he didn't seem to notice. Oh and you have to walk down some potentially treacherous looking stairs to get in so girls in heels beware & hold on tight!!
(3)
Todd A.
Our second bar of the night, we happened to be on our way to a nearby bar and were getting thirsty. We got lured downstairs by the sign out front that said 2 for 1 drinks till 9pm. Inside, it was dark, dive-y and dead but pretty roomy. We each got a well drink which was pretty standard. We quickly drunk up and moved on. (continues at Cienfuegos)
(3)
Justin L.
Two Tries I Gave but the Music was too Loud for talking and too bad for dancing.
(2)
Abby B.
I am not a bar person, but I knew we were in for a good night when the bouncer was friendly and welcoming...and didn't give me a hard time for walking into a bar with an ice cream cone (I was almost done!). No pretense: just drinks at a fair price, 90's music, and a great bus staff. Don't miss the photobooth in the back, although I'd suggest using it earlier in the evening for best results.
(4)
Vincent L.
2-for-1 drinks until 9pm? This is a good place to start off a good night of drunkeness. But don't expect to remember much after drinking here.
(4)
Amanda A.
I honestly didn't know the name of this place until about a week ago. We always referred to it as Martins! My co workers and I always go barhopping after work on Thursdays and Martins is always the last stop before or journey to veselka for cheese pierogis! This a really fun place. Dark and dirty. They have a photo booth in the back. Beware of the stairs and heels!
(4)
Michelle S.
i'm a regular at this bar, idk what it is but the cute bartender makes the perfect whiskey sour! on weekends the bar is packed &the environment is so friendly! you can find graffiti on the walls and videogames in the back as well as the bathroom covered in stickers, if that's not nyc culture.. idk what is. lol the bouncers are the shit, and they have a sign that says "free beer tomorrow" which isnt true but sure is a great laugh because people sure do fall for it! as for booze, drinks are so fairly priced so buy a girl a draaaaannnnk!!
(5)
K G.
Came last night with a small group of " industry " friends who all work/reside in the village and LES. Place was decent for a monday night and the DJ was playing GREAT music. The bartender, Danielle, was horrific. After being either too drunk or too stupid to charge me for my first drink, no complaints there, she proceeded to ignored us for ten minutes as we waited to order another drink. i guess chatting it up with the four other people at the bar was more important. The bouncer/barback? noticed we were politely waiting with money in our hands and asked if we needed something. He proceeded to tell her we were waiting. What does she do? Come up to the people next to us, and says.. " What can I get you, after you've been waving me down for ten minutes?" A) no one was waving, B) you're asking the wrong people anyway. Her poor attitude is the sole reason I will never return. Arrow Bar, choose a little more wisely next time you choose to hire someone.
(1)
Scott L.
The best bar for the price in the east village. It's a perfect dive bar. Sure, the Guinness I had wasn't the freshest. But the well drinks are strong and the happy hour is great. I think it was 2 for one up until 9pm, or a shot and a Geney's for 6 bucks. After hearing that a Geney's is like a Natty Ice, I just went for the cheap Guinness.
(4)
Danny P.
Picture your perfect New York night ... y'know, the kind they show in the movies about perfect-looking people who just happen to be drowning their sorrows in the perfect little New York hideaway. It's got that dark, intimate vibe going on, the candles on the little tables in the back flicker tantalizingly against the dark wood features of this subterranean bar. And then you look up, and ... What, am I your pimp? Go find your own hottie. For the life of me I can't figure out why this place was so empty on a Thursday night. It's halfway between the L at 1st Ave and the 2nd Ave F so perhaps it's too far for anyone not in the neighborhood to stop by but I thoroughly enjoyed meeting a couple of Yelpers here for a satisfyingly long two-for-one happy hour (through 9 p.m., except for the specialty beers and whiskey). I started off with Bud Light but after being shamed by the highly attractive bartender, and a few of my drinking cohorts, I moved on to the top shelf whiskey and bourbon. All were poured strong and were worth the price. I don't know how much of an effort I'd make to come here in the winter with the long walk to the subway, but in the summer this could really get added to my regulars list.
(4)
Dean H.
stumbled in here on my way to a show one time and stayed for about an hour with a friend of mine. it's under a korean restaurant and is easy to miss but it's a nice place. not into punk or metal much myself but the music was a nice change of pace from regular bar music. 2 for 1 drinks during happy hour was pretty nice. decent beers on tap, not a huge selection though.
(4)
Jules T.
Strong frozen margaritas 2 for 1. Can't beat it wit a stick I tells ya, can't be beat.
(4)
Chris H.
Totally 100% awesome. Awesome divey, grimey vibe, with a dancey, but still pubby atmosphere. Great drinks at a reasonable price. Bartenders are generous with their pours. Bartenders are super nice and didn't complain when people spilled/dropped drinked. When I was there, there was a $7 any beer (including the premium imports) and well shot special. I hear it is 2 for 1happy hours. DJ played a good mix of music. Fun crowd of people. Not the cleanest place. Graffiti everywhere. You were warned. I would definitely recommend this place for a mixed group of dancers and non-dancers.
(5)
Buo Z.
I came here on a Friday night. It isn't really my scene but it's a good place to just "hang out." Think underground super grungy dive bar. The music here was pretty retro so not too many people on the dance floor, but the DJs absolutely loved the music and danced to their own music the entire night. There was an interesting crowd here--lots of beards and hipster girls. I believe one guy was on drugs or something but he got kicked out later which was kind of funny. Anyway, this place wasn't very crowded so there was plenty of seating everywhere.
(3)
Lisa R.
Don't get me wrong...this gal loves her dive bars, but Arrow does not make the cut. The HH special is buy 1 get 1 free, which is cool until I realize the actual deal when my friend and I went up to the bar and ordered two beers thinking it would cost $6 for the round...wrong! It was $12 with 2 coupons for later. Arrow Bar has potential to be great, so I'll give it another shot some other night.
(2)
Nancy D.
The entire night here can be summed up in one word: "WHAT????" I couldn't hear a damn word any of my friends were saying because the music was seriously blaring. After 30 minutes of pain, I was relieved that the music had gotten quieter. But then I thought twice and realized it was more likely that I had lost a significant amount of hearing.
(2)
Alexander T.
If you're planning a party for a group of friends who like to drink, dance and party- this is a great choice. They even served us a drink we requested and were incredibly helpful. On top of that-- the bar's vibe is phenomenal. Great music. Great location. Great times.
(5)
roberta k.
Randomly walked into this bar last night and this may just become a regular place to visit when in the EV. - Great drinks at a reasonable price. Bartenders are generous with their pours. - Fun crowd of people - DJ played a good mix of music - photo booth
(5)
DJ N.
Nice place for a drink after work. Go to the bartender with the beard, he's a swell bloke. If you tell him a good dirty joke, he'll stroke his beard and get you a shot on the house! Theres a sweet party there every 1st and 3rd Thursday, theres a Happy Hour with DJs.... Check out SniquePeek.Com for more deets!
(4)
Leighann F.
For further evidence that this bar rules, Jameson shots can be knocked back for just $5 each and the bathroom is covered in a delightful amount of graffiti, thus to distract you from how absolutely filthy it can get during their busiest hours.
(5)
Diana D.
I went here for a friend's birthday which was very enjoyable. Good, strong drinks. Good music to jam to.
(4)
Briana M.
I've been here about 3 times. I think. I find that it's best to arrive here already wasted around 2:30 AM. This way, the music doesn't really matter, and the too hip for life patrons don't matter either. But both times I was here REAL LATE I thought the music was fantastic. I shook my booty and the bouncer laughed at my white girl moves. Whatever.
(3)
A K.
Has anyone experienced the weird and inappropriate bouncer? He totally set the mood for my night. Creepy and seedy...and this bar looks like a punk rock band got their hands on chalk and magic markers.
(2)
Andy E.
Arrow is a solid, divey bar that's always a good place to start out your night. It's usually not very crowded (to the point that I'm actually surprised they've lasted as long as they have). On Saturdays they do have a DJ that for the most part is usually good. The beer selection is solid and you won't pay more than what you would normally pay in any NYC bar. Arrow isn't usually meant to spend more than an hour or two in, but for what it's worth it does the job
(3)
Renee C.
This bar literally had a flashy arrow pointing you in the right direction, you can't quite miss it! ...other than that...nothing memorable.
(2)
Tay M.
While I wouldn't really call this a 'dive bar,' i do enjoy myself here. It's usually not crazy packed and it wasn't last night (Friday). I'll agree with unoriginal decor, but there are some nice spaces for groups, which is what we had. The sign at the top of the stairs does not say "Arrow," but is instead just a big, lit-up arrow. Cute. $6 for a Stella? Not so cool. But it was dark and I couldn't see my bills very well and when I gave the bartender $13 instead of the intended $7, he very kindly brought my extra $6 back (+1 star for quality service). Thanks again, man.
(4)
Stephy S.
Now THIS is a bar that is totally up my alley! I came here last night to see my boy, DJ Anton Oy Vey spin, well, not really spin, but rock the bar with the soothing sounds of heavy metal and it was awesome. Heavy Metal Happy Hour is every Friday night here and they rotate different DJ's every week. I met 2 of them last night and all really cool guys and I loved that they came out to support each other. Always awesome. As for the bar itself, it's pretty sweet. The ceilings are decked out in copper and I want it for my house now! It's also nice and dark and the people hanging here and workin here, yeah I'm talkin to you Chuck, are good ones. Would I come back? Of course, it's East Village, it's chill and hello, Heavy Metal Happy Hour! Tres rad!
(5)
P J.
Meets all the requirements for an East Village dive bar. It's in a basement, mostly locals, two-for-one happy hour till 9 nightly. Heavy Metal Happy Hour on Fri is for jump starting your weekend not low-key unwinding, but fun if you've still got a pint of energy left in your day.
(3)
Victor L.
2 for 1 makes me want to punch myself in the face, and then punch the person next to me in the face. I guess fighting with Hi-Fi for the whole buyback policy (they use tickets instead of chips) is admirable. You can opt to discuss with the management here about hosting your own party for a set block, DJing from your own iPod as they have a set of turntables with two iPod docks. A lot of regulars here, and the music blares unevenly (it's too loud in the front but the back is quiet), but it's a good mix of heavy rock, metal, and punk. The basement bar aspect helps with that musical quality, and the patrons certainly aren't chi-chi. You walk downstairs from the street and pull up either by the bar, by the sill with pint holders, or move to one of the couple booths or a funky open seating area just past the bar on the left. Pirates of the Caribbean pinball and Buck Hunter round out the back along with the bathrooms. The staff is friendly, everyone is pretty nice and there are smiles all around. The lighting isn't flattering, and that's pretty great. You can test your drunkability here.
(4)
Anne K.
This past Thursday, I accidentally stayed at this bar until 4am. It was completely unintentional! Classic story: working girl is cautious about going out on weekday, working girl loves fun, working girl decides to sacrifice Friday morning happiness for fun. You know what? It was worth it. This place is a gem, but it is slightly hard to spot. The only indication of its existence was a large arrow sign pointing down to where music was wafting up from the slightly opened door. This place was almost completely empty, but all you need when you go out to a bar there are 4 things you need: good friend, nice bartender, good dj (even that is a plus), and booze. The bartender was extremely friendly and generous. He kept filling a pitcher with half popcorn and half cheese doodles, completely unprovoked! As long as he kept pouring the doodles, I stayed to keep eating them... At the time, it made perfect sense. The later it got, the more people showed up. There definitely were people still at the bar after closing hours. Did I just stumble on the new after hours joint?
The popularity of Chinese food in America can be adjudicated by the appearance of China Town in many major cities in the United State of America. The popular trend of ordering or opting for Chinese take away food isn't unknown in America. Chinese take away food comes to rescue when you're too tired from work or too exhausted to cook. No one can resist the temptation of eating spicy noodles, shrimp, chicken, beef or pork cooked in the sweet and spicy sauce. The cooking method of authentic Chinese food is a lot different compared to what is served in America.
Generally, Chinese use dark meat small bones and organs to cook dishes but this changes when you are eating American-Chinese fusion food prepared using white boneless meat cooked with broccoli, carrots and onions. Back in China, the food is less spicy and oily as they favor steaming and braising method for cooking the most popular dishes. So, if you have a taste for authentic Chinese food, then try finding a real Chinese restaurant in the city. You can also try the most popular fusion Chinese food like Pecking Duck, Chicken Feet, Hot Pot, Shrimp Dumpling Soup, Mapo Tofu, Wontons, Chop Suey, Egg Rolls and not to forget Fortune Cookies.
There are not many restaurants in America serving authentic Chinese food. A little research on Restaurant Listings directory can help you locate the best Chinese restaurants in the city. Chinese cuisine is continuously evolving, and you can find a variety of dishes categorized as the food for lactose intolerant, gluten intolerant, vegan, vegetarian, and diabetic friendly. So, if you have a group of friends with different taste patterns, save the hassle and visit the nearest Chinese restaurant in your city.
Erica F.
2.5 stars It's not a bad bar...in fact it's kind of endearing. It's not so cheap for a dive bar, but if you like good beer, they have a good list. If you're looking for a place to slink into at the end of the night that isn't completely swamped, this is probably it. And it's not because its dull, or creepy or abandoned, it just never happens to be too busy, despite the large illuminated sign guiding you to your destination. The lack of population isn't because its a new bar, because The Rook (preceding bar) was the same way. I dunno what it is. There are worse bars that are far more populated, but aaanyways it doesn't really have anything unique to keep you, not even cheep beer, and that's all I need. The crowd (when anyones in there) doesn't suck, so thats a plus. Oh and happy hour is legit. Bottom line, its just completely average, but some people like that.
(3)Meredith F.
Disclaimer: I am not into dive or dive-like bars. I walked in on Saturday night, smelled the aroma of wet towels, sweaty socks, and stale beer, heard the typical bar music, and walked out. It was around 2 am and there were about 10 people in the whole place, which was really dark, even by bar standards. The "decor" is pretty non-existent. The floor is a black and white tile that looks like it's been there since the place was built. Basically, if you like dive bars, music by Journey, and having a "chill" night out, you will probably like this place.
(1)David T.
Arrow has a good crowd that likes to dance, at least when i was there. It's usually busiest from 11pm-2am, after that the crowd dies down a bit. There is a DJ who spins on Fridays sometimes who plays good music, indie-dance & that sort of thing. I don't really dig the heavy metal happy hour, although 2 for 1 drinks is an awesome deal.
(4)Kathryn Y.
This bar is good as a starter bar for the night. It's not exclusive and they play good music (I feel like I always hear The Smiths when I walk in) and when it's crowded enough, there's just the right amount of dancing in the back. Big Buck Hunter and the photobooth are a classic. I've always gone on Fridays and Saturdays and it's decently crowded. I passed by last Thursday night though and there were only 2 people there.
(3)David G.
I didn't have anything to drink here but their selection looked pretty good. I loved the ambiance of this place - mellow, downplayed, and full of interesting people.
(4)Christopher O.
Arrow has become a regular part of my weekly routine for a couple reasons: 1. I host a trivia night there on Monday nights at 8pm. But I swear that aside from that plug, my review is completely unbiased. 2. They have a 2-FOR-1 HAPPY HOUR THAT RUNS UNTIL 9PM. Seriously, #2 is reason enough, but their drinks are great any time. They have some creative cocktails, and their beer list, albeit smaller than its predecessor The Rook in the same location, is still quite strong and unique. Arrow is a great subterranean hideout for those looking for a mellow nook or cranny during happy hour... then, the place heats up at night with some great tunes.
(5)Matthew R.
Great place for intellectual conversation.
(5)Rika S.
Dark bar but I loved it! 2 for 1 happy hour that goes on till 9pm (I think) deal is great. I had their blueberry frozen margaritas and OMG were they strong!
(4)Jason Vuong D.
Bring on the Wedding Music. Stumbled upon this joint on a bar crawl Saturday. The venue and people were aite and chill but the part that got me was the dj playing the randomness! We found ourselves trying to do some salsa, the mash potato and even some old school dance from 90s hip hop. The 90s were my 80s!
(3)Kate S.
Me and three of my friends were pick-pocketed here with our bags on our bodies. Another friend said she too had been pick-pocketed here a few weeks prior--so apparently there is a case of sticky-fingers in this bar. The bouncer was actually very nice but it didn't change the fact that I now have to cancel all of credit cards and phone and get a new license and insurance cards etc.
(1)Harper S.
After being screwed over by another venue, I came across Arrow Bar on Sheckys Party Aid (one of my fave things ever!) I contacted their manager to see about setting up my party there and reserving a spot. He was such a nice guy, more than helpful. Reserved a whole seated area. Had a big party there. Everyone was happy. It got a bit crowded and hot but everyone seemed to be having fun. The music was good. Major downside was the bathroom situation - there was ALWAYS a line.
(3)Lauren W.
This place is really solid, as far as dive bars go. Decently priced drinks, a good crowd, and really good music that really made me wanna dance around. Its a really nice mix of a place because its not too sketchy, and not too trendy. I had a good time, basically.
(4)damian b.
A regular bar nothing big here just a water hole but hard to find it is hidden, you have to go down stairs to find it. Drink are good a chill spot. Some nights Dj's comes to play for reggae Tuesday.
(3)molly c.
arrow bar is brought to you by the letter A. arrow bar is just about perfect. i can imagine having a date end here, i can imagine getting drunk on the happy hour specials here (oh wait. that second one happened!) the space is great, bartender was great (joannna, i think - sorry if i got the spelling wrong) and i had a great time. next time people want to meet in alphabet city, i am suggesting arrow bar to start the night right.
(4)Don T.
I love arrow bar. It's sort of the perfect dive bar. I just noticed someone else wrote that too, but no matter. Great music, no frills, cute girls, cheap booze. I seem to end up there constantly.
(5)sam j.
Went to Arrow Bar this past Saturday for someones birthday, and couldn't understand why they had chosen this place. Don't get me wrong, I love ambience (dim light and good tunes) in my bars, but this place had taken subdued lighting to a whole new level. I could barely see my friends across from me in our booth. The music volume was overkill, as well. As far as service goes, it was abysmal. I am used to ordering beers in clubs and very crowded bars, but even when we first got there and Arrow was pretty empty, the female bartender was totally unattentive. She seemed more interested in checking her blackberry constantly than getting drinks (even after finally taking my order she responded to a text before pouring my beers). Prices were standard ($5 yuengling), and with nothing sticking out as a positive for this bar, I won't be returning if I'm in the area when there are so many other bars around.
(2)Noy K.
Free Dewar's whisky for two whole hours? Yay! Small, nice bartenders, good music selection. Good mix of young people. Lots of sausages and not enough buns, but whose complaining? I very much enjoyed myself on a Tuesday night.
(4)Ted L.
2 for 1 til 9pm. $6 bk lager. Quiet and dark. Bartender's ipod had some good tunes. Also not what I would consider a dive.
(5)Brent B.
As a small child I loved the Lone Ranger, his horse Silver and his trusted sidekick Tonto. Something about guns, bullets, bows and arrows really got me all worked up. As an adult, I've replaced my minor infatuation with slightly homo-erotic men dressed up in masks and their horses and sidekicks for Bourbon and glassware. Lucky for me Arrow bar sells Bourbon, in nice glasses. I was there for there opening night party and I had a great time. The place wasn't uncomfortably crowded and the bartenders were quick and responsive. I also liked the fact that it's a basement bar. I prefer to enjoy my Manhattans in relative darkness. There's no telling what Arrow Bar will be like in three weeks once the word gets out but in the mean time, you should make your way down to the basement. I also heard, from a reliable source I might add, that Tuesday is Arrow Bar's best night. See you there. I'll be the guy wearing the tight cowboy outfit with the hat and mask.
(5)Aimee A.
Nice little dark basement bar with decent prices. Not a very unique interior, but it's quite the classic-looking New York bar. Never had a bad night when I went out here!
(3)matt w.
i came here the other weekend for an after party after a show i went to. the band i knew played an impromtu half set in the back which started an awesome dance party (i mean who doesnt like when those start?). otherwise, didnt buy a drink there, i think my roommate got me one, but i had a really good time and would probably go back. can i give it 4 1/2 stars cause its not close to any subway lines?
(4)charlotte G.
Fairly small, nice bar, areas to sit down in back, not what I would call a dive bar but somewhat hidden. On a Saturday night went from empty to very crowded within about 1.5 hours from 9-1030. The crowd seemed good, not too college-y and all from nyc, not too dressed up.
(4)S G.
Went here Sat night for my gf's bday and had a great time. I made arrangements with the owner?/manager? before-hand and everything work great. Place is pretty small so having a table or two helped. Bartenders Tim and Sandy were great too. DJ played dance tunes and top 40- all the stuff girls love. Music was def too loud for such a small places. My ears were still ringing when I got home and some people still felt it the next day. But overall a great night.
(4)Matt L.
the only bar worth going to in manhattan besides pianos.
(5)Seth M.
A great place as long as you enjoy watching the bartenders ignore you as they talk to their friends. It's honestly faster to go down the street, buy a beer, drink it, and then come back--or just go someplace else. I don't have much tolerance for bad bartenders.
(2)Megan O.
Best on the weekdays when the crowd is pretty much non existent. The Dj's play some good jams and when the timing is just about perfect, people begin to dance, and there you have it. From East Village dive to private dance party. The Bartenders are some of the better ones in city. Overall, it's a good place to wet your whistle.
(4)Anna K.
i've been to gay bars, small town bars, international bars, bars at venues, ritzy bars, more than enough dive bars, and i have never.. never... been made less welcome than the bartender working this bar made me and my friends feel. i don't expect much... give me liquor, dont have an attitude are my only rules. do NOT snap at me when I ask you about your happy hour special. the chalkboard advertising the happy hour special is the only reason i walked down the basement stairs to begin with. the stale smell of cheap beer is what i battled before finally getting your attention. and seriously, you're not cute or charismatic enough to snap at me and then flash an obviously fake smile. get over yourself. would never ever ever come back here even if they had free vodka flowing. also, their happy hour is buy one get one on PREMIUM liquor drinks, aka. you're going to be paying for a grey goose cocktail. so not worth it. would rather pay the same price at a real dive bar with a friendlier atmosphere.
(1)Aaron Y.
As far as dive bars go, Arrow is one of my favorites. Drink specials that get the job done (any shot and a beer for $8), music that actually gets people dancing and socializing, and unpretentious bartenders who seem like genuinely nice people who aren't solely out for tips. There's ample seating including a nice lounge area. Definitely worth a visit just for the experience!
(5)Chuck C.
If you can't already tell, I'm a huge proponent of the dive-bar; nothing exemplifies the genre quite as well as Arrow Bar. Located in the immensely cool area of Alphabet City where ave A and 6th street meet, Arrow Bar fits in well with a neighborhood that has been associated with seedy bars since time immemorial. It's great to see a place that keeps the tradition of cheap drinks and social bartenders alive in a town where overcrowded clubs with annoying DJ's have become (sadly) the norm. Don't get me wrong, I like the aforementioned annoying DJ and anti-social bartender once in a while, but it's good to know there's still a place to go where you can find a cheap beer/shot combo and listen to the Clash (make sure to walk over and pay homage to the man, Joe Strummer at his 7th Street mural, which I believe they put back up). You could be forgiven for almost missing this place as you walk up or down avenue A, in your quest for a cold beer, and I have many a time. But if by chance you happen to notice the stairwell down to this subterranean gem, you're in for a grungy treat. Walking in you'll find a place that is covered in graffiti from ceiling floor, band stickers adorning the bathroom fixtures. Not long ago they had a Sega Genesis reissue that was loaded with classics like "Streets of Rage" and "Sonic", probably the coolest thing I've seen in a city bar and should IMMEDIATELY be brought back. The space itself is enormous, and takes up the entire basement of the building. This means you can bring a load of your buddies who are looking to drink on the cheap, driving home the essence of what it means to be in a dive bar; dirt-cheap whiskey and friends. Arrow Bar is a must visit on any proper stumble through Alphabet City, don't miss the opportunity to drink in one of the truly great dive bars of the city. When you're done it's a quick walk down to the lower east side where the other dives are holding out against the invasion of overpriced clubs our city seems so fond of.
(5)Katrina S.
Fantastically bad: the tell-tale sign of a good dive bar. It's literally a dive, i.e. underground. You will walk past it like 5 times before asking someone at the bodega, and they won't know where it is either. Once you actually find the place, divey is as divey does: serves cheap drinks with cheap alcohol, plays mostly rock, and as other reviews mention, rarely has toilet paper or soap. Plot twist: later at night, Arrow gets ratchet as bleeeeeeep. G-g-get yo' freak on.
(3)Joy S.
Apparently arrow is no more and I'm truly heart broken. Rest in peace to a true east village dive bar that had a little something for everyone. I'm going to miss this place :(
(5)Nauman S.
Used to be a good underground bar but now it's just any other bar with slow service and rude bartenders.
(3)Tyler L.
I used to go here a lot back in the day. This bar is easy to walk by and miss. It is located underneath a restaurant - just look for the stairs leading down to the basement. It's a dive bar plain and simple, but an above average one. Dimly lit, Buck Hunter arcade, and graffiti covering the walls. It is usually vibrant and has a good chill atmosphere. They have a rotating group of live DJs who play mostly rock music which is great for me. Drinks here are cheap, with a two for one drink special during happy hour.
(4)Maria V.
Love this hole on the wall. The music was banging, hip hop, house, reggaeton , but no dembow tip for DJ spin Arcangel , De la ghetto, EL Alfa, El Mayor Clasico etc , IWe was there for Halloween. spot was pack, free admission and cute niggas , Latinos Brothas.
(4)Mel T.
2 for 1 drinks until 9 p.m.! Is this place a dive? Yes. Does it smell like a toilet? Yes. Will you walk past it like an idiot? Quite possibly. (I'll do you a solid and save you some time - Arrow Bar is down the stairs) Probably not the best place to sit and chill for hours but it is a good place to grab a few quick drinks.
(3)Maria P.
Basically the only reason I come here besides the cheap drinks is on Fridays forever. DJ Dirtyfinger always have the best line ups and it's always a good time when him and DJ Teeburr play a set .
(4)Roxanne S.
Trashy, dirty and loud. Just not a place you want to be seen in. I saw cockroaches running across the bar as I ordered a drink...there are so many better options in alphabet city.
(1)Sandy O.
I wandered in here and I'm fucken glad I did. I'm old school with the hip hop and the music tonight is on point. The bartenders are super attentive. That's the biggest plus. This could be my new regular
(5)Liz L.
Go on an off night to have a conversation you might have with your mob boss. Go on an on night for a sardine-experience. I always measure a place based on three major things: Service, atmosphere, and quality. What's that you say, 2 for 1 drinks until 9? Why, don't mind if I do. Service is average. It is not particularly friendly, but no trouble getting a drink. However, when I came in it was totally empty. Ambiance is super sketchy and divey, but lots of room to sit! That's a huge plus in a city that's hurting for space. Drink quality was average. you get exactly what you would expect.
(3)Blagg G.
This place was chill and the price for drinks was pretty good. Does it have a smell like drunk people wasting away? It does but I guess I dont really mind that so much because I would go back. I would totally go back but not that often.
(3)William P.
Absolutely the worst experience at a bar I have ever had. There's really no reason to come here when there are thousands of places light years better than this walking distance away. Encountered the rudest bartender I have ever seen, who also was so intoxicated (on something other than alcohol, it appeared) that she was incapable of pouring beer out of a can and into a glass -- half of it ended up on the floor. It was quite a sight. Don't waste your time here.
(1)Cynthia M.
Great music on a Friday night and pretty packed. Pretty mixed group of people and drinks are a decent pour.
(3)Morgan C.
A first class place full of degenerates.
(5)Lindsay M.
BIG fan of this place. The most important thing to know is happy hour is 2 4 1 until 9pm and there are beer cubby holes on the wall to hold your drink. I've never had a bad time here and I've been for numerous occasions. There is usually a DJ and good tunes. The back section is a good spot for birthday parties. Sometimes they have special events like metal happy hour and gay night. Although those aren't really my thing it still was a really great time. Oh, they also have Big Buck Hunter!
(5)Lama B.
Todd and i came in at 8 pm on a Wednesday night for drinks. We were really one of the 2 sets of patrons there, but the bartender was a great gal, and made us a decent manhattan with the well whiskey. For 6 dollars we were out of there, and we were decently drunk and happy. I really love happy hour. Have I mentioned that I love happy hour? I think anyone who knows me for 3 minutes knows that.
(3)Samantha D.
The atmosphere and the all around vibe of this place is pretty neat. It wasn't to busy when I walked in, but there were still a good amount of people. The music was great and everyone seemed to be relaxing and having a great time. It's in a great location where there is a lot to do around so if you decide you want to barhop, you have a lot of variety around you. Beers were around $6; they had a special where you can get a free shot as well. I didn't stay too long to get that great of a feel for what they had to offer but this is definitely a place I want to come back to. When I do, I'll be updating my review!
(4)Dan C.
Looking for a divey East Village bar? Here ya go. I came here with some friends on a steamy Saturday night to have some drinks. In typical East Village fashion, the bar was downstairs, narrow, dimly light, and plastered in graffiti. I sometimes wonder if the owners of places like this either let this crap happen organically or pay designers gobs of money to achieve that "East Village" feel. The booze was cheap, people were dancing on the makeshift dance floor (a 7 foot by 5 foot open space in front of the dj booth on your way to the bathroom), the bartenders were friendly and the waify hipster dj was spinning some really good hip-hop. The only downside was that the doorman told me I looked like Ben Stiller. I hate that, but he was just trying to be friendly, which is a rare event for a doorman / bouncer. We came, we saw, we had a good time.
(3)Alexander T.
I was a bit hesitant upon arriving to Arrow bar, but this bar welcomes all! Let's start with THE BOUNCER. He likes to joke and interact with the crowd, something MANY bars don't do enough of. This makes me want to return to a business like this. The BARTENDERS! I think she had orange hair, but she was always attentive and made sure everything was fine with the booze-seeking audience. The second time I spent a couple hours at Arrow bar, only the really tall white guy was working. Although the service wasn't as prompt, he made sure everyone was satisfied and did a great job serving drink after drink to what seemed like a alcohol-deprived crowd. Props to that guy! These bartenders not only contributes to the customer-return rate, but good business. *Be considerate to your bartender, they work diligently to get you shit-faced! Happy hour is until 9, but it's definitely not expensive. You could have 2 cranberry vodka's for $6 and be buzzed! OH, they also fill your shot glass till the top. THE ENVIRONMENT & MUSIC One attribute I truly enjoy about Arrow bar is the diversity. You'll find and appreciate individuals of all kinds and unorthodox dance moves. Additionally, you'll probably have a conversation and possibly a debate about whether girls poop or not. On a more serious note, the crowd always seems to appreciate a good night and attempts to make this place vibrant. The age range of weak-kneed- booze-sippin crowd seems to be approximately 21-30. But hey, all are welcomed! Music is normally hip-hop and even a bit of dance-hall. You're thinking " I don't even like that music", but by the end of the night, someone will welcome you to dance foolishly. ONE CON Not that I had to violently erupt shit out my asshole, but apparently toilet paper tends to run out quick and remains missing for the remainder of the night. Pretty girls come here so I'm sure a lucky guy wouldn't want a girl dancing on him with a foul smell. =-o Overall, great place to interact with interesting people and not remember them the next morning. Good place to enjoy your night!
(4)David B.
I think that I'm over "dive" bars. This place is one of them. My girlfriend and I had to ask the bartender (possibly a new one) each time for the 2 4 1 deal, having first been rung up as paying for 2 identical beers each time. We were obviously together, and were clearly ordering to take advantage of the special, really odd. I noticed others were also missing out on the happy hour "deal". "Filthy" accurately sums up the decor.
(2)Jenny M.
What a dive bar should be. Dark. Great music and a sick happy hour until 9pm.
(4)Aviva G.
If theres one thing I absolutely hate, its wasted beer. And thats what Arrow Bar does for the most part, by letting its taps get SKUNKED. I came here due to their allegedly good happy hour deal (2 for 1 goes until 9) but when I tasted my beer it was immediately apparent that the beer had been spoiled. I asked the bartender if I could swap it out, but the other taps were also skunked. I then asked if I could get a bottled beer, but those are not included in the happy hour and the bartender would not let me substitute a bottled beer even though the taps were all bad. My friends who I was with both stuck with mixed drinks. They both got vodka cranberries, but their drinks looked and tasted different. (One was very strong, other very weak. no uniformity.) We sadly didnt want to get our second drink even though it was free because the place was so bad. No matter how good a deal is, it doesnt matter if the drinks are bad. I would rather pay more and not have to drink spoiled beer.
(1)Liz C.
Hearkens back to the good old days of my Early-to-Mid-Twenties, when "going to a dive bar in Alphabet City" was the choicest itinerary for any night of the week: -Big Buck Hunter. -Carded and scrutinized at the door by a skinny dude with a beard. -A chatty, baby-faced brand-spankin' new Floridian import to NYC bought me all my drinks while pitching his screenplay to me. And didn't try to get my number. -Cash only. Oh, but I am wiser to the ways of the world now, and always carry cash! Sorry neighboring bodega; your ATM does not earn my transaction fee. -A chick wearing black eyeliner and Chucks gave me a clove and kissed me in a phone booth outside. She asked me how old I was; I told her, and she said, "Holy crap. I mean, that's beautiful. I turn twenty-one in May. Shhh." -Late-night carbs at Pomme Frites. -Generic brand mixed drinks, poured generously. Gin & tonic. Whiskey coke. Vodka soda. You know the drill. -Solid beats. Danced, danced, danced.
(3)ReviewHaiku F.
Skip this bar at night Sardine packed basement lair Sub-par photobooth.
(2)Jane K.
Elements of a good dive bar: - Off the beaten path, basement location - Surly bartenders that threaten to break your fingers when you crack a joke about swiping an extra beer while they're on a 20 minute cigarette break - Grimy, single bathroom covered in vomit crusts and graffiti - Buck Hunter and a photo booth, both of which only sometimes work and have a tendency to eat your cash - Amazing music that has you hysterically shaking your booty as you bump into other elated hipsters on the tiny dance floor - Cheap drinks and shot specials in addition to whatever happy hour special is running at said moment - Dark nooks and corners where you may or may not have once watched a heavily tattooed chick wearing a plaid uniform make out with a short guy with a sombrero on.
(5)Mike E.
A great spot to get drinking cheaply and effectively at the start of a big night out. Happy hour runs till 9:00 and a shot and a beer will only set you back $6 - a good deal considering the excellent location.
(4)Katie R.
This place was pretty cool... I'd say maybe 3.5 stars. The only major downfalls were that there was not too much of a dancefloor (was constantly being interrupted by people trying to walk by or through) and there was only 1 bathroom with a long line, which wasn't a big deal for me but was for my friends. But they had a nice bar area that was pretty big so you didn't feel crowded while trying to order a drink - although it was hard to get through the people sitting in chairs at the bar to get the bartenders attention to order a drink. My friend bought 2 bottles of champagne from the bar so that was a major win in my book lol. And let's see - the DJ was pretty fricking great. Awesome music, except for 1 random song that no one had any idea was and everyone literally stopped dancing as soon as it came on which he didn't seem to notice. Oh and you have to walk down some potentially treacherous looking stairs to get in so girls in heels beware & hold on tight!!
(3)Todd A.
Our second bar of the night, we happened to be on our way to a nearby bar and were getting thirsty. We got lured downstairs by the sign out front that said 2 for 1 drinks till 9pm. Inside, it was dark, dive-y and dead but pretty roomy. We each got a well drink which was pretty standard. We quickly drunk up and moved on. (continues at Cienfuegos)
(3)Justin L.
Two Tries I Gave but the Music was too Loud for talking and too bad for dancing.
(2)Abby B.
I am not a bar person, but I knew we were in for a good night when the bouncer was friendly and welcoming...and didn't give me a hard time for walking into a bar with an ice cream cone (I was almost done!). No pretense: just drinks at a fair price, 90's music, and a great bus staff. Don't miss the photobooth in the back, although I'd suggest using it earlier in the evening for best results.
(4)Vincent L.
2-for-1 drinks until 9pm? This is a good place to start off a good night of drunkeness. But don't expect to remember much after drinking here.
(4)Amanda A.
I honestly didn't know the name of this place until about a week ago. We always referred to it as Martins! My co workers and I always go barhopping after work on Thursdays and Martins is always the last stop before or journey to veselka for cheese pierogis! This a really fun place. Dark and dirty. They have a photo booth in the back. Beware of the stairs and heels!
(4)Michelle S.
i'm a regular at this bar, idk what it is but the cute bartender makes the perfect whiskey sour! on weekends the bar is packed &the environment is so friendly! you can find graffiti on the walls and videogames in the back as well as the bathroom covered in stickers, if that's not nyc culture.. idk what is. lol the bouncers are the shit, and they have a sign that says "free beer tomorrow" which isnt true but sure is a great laugh because people sure do fall for it! as for booze, drinks are so fairly priced so buy a girl a draaaaannnnk!!
(5)K G.
Came last night with a small group of " industry " friends who all work/reside in the village and LES. Place was decent for a monday night and the DJ was playing GREAT music. The bartender, Danielle, was horrific. After being either too drunk or too stupid to charge me for my first drink, no complaints there, she proceeded to ignored us for ten minutes as we waited to order another drink. i guess chatting it up with the four other people at the bar was more important. The bouncer/barback? noticed we were politely waiting with money in our hands and asked if we needed something. He proceeded to tell her we were waiting. What does she do? Come up to the people next to us, and says.. " What can I get you, after you've been waving me down for ten minutes?" A) no one was waving, B) you're asking the wrong people anyway. Her poor attitude is the sole reason I will never return. Arrow Bar, choose a little more wisely next time you choose to hire someone.
(1)Scott L.
The best bar for the price in the east village. It's a perfect dive bar. Sure, the Guinness I had wasn't the freshest. But the well drinks are strong and the happy hour is great. I think it was 2 for one up until 9pm, or a shot and a Geney's for 6 bucks. After hearing that a Geney's is like a Natty Ice, I just went for the cheap Guinness.
(4)Danny P.
Picture your perfect New York night ... y'know, the kind they show in the movies about perfect-looking people who just happen to be drowning their sorrows in the perfect little New York hideaway. It's got that dark, intimate vibe going on, the candles on the little tables in the back flicker tantalizingly against the dark wood features of this subterranean bar. And then you look up, and ... What, am I your pimp? Go find your own hottie. For the life of me I can't figure out why this place was so empty on a Thursday night. It's halfway between the L at 1st Ave and the 2nd Ave F so perhaps it's too far for anyone not in the neighborhood to stop by but I thoroughly enjoyed meeting a couple of Yelpers here for a satisfyingly long two-for-one happy hour (through 9 p.m., except for the specialty beers and whiskey). I started off with Bud Light but after being shamed by the highly attractive bartender, and a few of my drinking cohorts, I moved on to the top shelf whiskey and bourbon. All were poured strong and were worth the price. I don't know how much of an effort I'd make to come here in the winter with the long walk to the subway, but in the summer this could really get added to my regulars list.
(4)Dean H.
stumbled in here on my way to a show one time and stayed for about an hour with a friend of mine. it's under a korean restaurant and is easy to miss but it's a nice place. not into punk or metal much myself but the music was a nice change of pace from regular bar music. 2 for 1 drinks during happy hour was pretty nice. decent beers on tap, not a huge selection though.
(4)Jules T.
Strong frozen margaritas 2 for 1. Can't beat it wit a stick I tells ya, can't be beat.
(4)Chris H.
Totally 100% awesome. Awesome divey, grimey vibe, with a dancey, but still pubby atmosphere. Great drinks at a reasonable price. Bartenders are generous with their pours. Bartenders are super nice and didn't complain when people spilled/dropped drinked. When I was there, there was a $7 any beer (including the premium imports) and well shot special. I hear it is 2 for 1happy hours. DJ played a good mix of music. Fun crowd of people. Not the cleanest place. Graffiti everywhere. You were warned. I would definitely recommend this place for a mixed group of dancers and non-dancers.
(5)Buo Z.
I came here on a Friday night. It isn't really my scene but it's a good place to just "hang out." Think underground super grungy dive bar. The music here was pretty retro so not too many people on the dance floor, but the DJs absolutely loved the music and danced to their own music the entire night. There was an interesting crowd here--lots of beards and hipster girls. I believe one guy was on drugs or something but he got kicked out later which was kind of funny. Anyway, this place wasn't very crowded so there was plenty of seating everywhere.
(3)Lisa R.
Don't get me wrong...this gal loves her dive bars, but Arrow does not make the cut. The HH special is buy 1 get 1 free, which is cool until I realize the actual deal when my friend and I went up to the bar and ordered two beers thinking it would cost $6 for the round...wrong! It was $12 with 2 coupons for later. Arrow Bar has potential to be great, so I'll give it another shot some other night.
(2)Nancy D.
The entire night here can be summed up in one word: "WHAT????" I couldn't hear a damn word any of my friends were saying because the music was seriously blaring. After 30 minutes of pain, I was relieved that the music had gotten quieter. But then I thought twice and realized it was more likely that I had lost a significant amount of hearing.
(2)Alexander T.
If you're planning a party for a group of friends who like to drink, dance and party- this is a great choice. They even served us a drink we requested and were incredibly helpful. On top of that-- the bar's vibe is phenomenal. Great music. Great location. Great times.
(5)roberta k.
Randomly walked into this bar last night and this may just become a regular place to visit when in the EV. - Great drinks at a reasonable price. Bartenders are generous with their pours. - Fun crowd of people - DJ played a good mix of music - photo booth
(5)DJ N.
Nice place for a drink after work. Go to the bartender with the beard, he's a swell bloke. If you tell him a good dirty joke, he'll stroke his beard and get you a shot on the house! Theres a sweet party there every 1st and 3rd Thursday, theres a Happy Hour with DJs.... Check out SniquePeek.Com for more deets!
(4)Leighann F.
For further evidence that this bar rules, Jameson shots can be knocked back for just $5 each and the bathroom is covered in a delightful amount of graffiti, thus to distract you from how absolutely filthy it can get during their busiest hours.
(5)Diana D.
I went here for a friend's birthday which was very enjoyable. Good, strong drinks. Good music to jam to.
(4)Briana M.
I've been here about 3 times. I think. I find that it's best to arrive here already wasted around 2:30 AM. This way, the music doesn't really matter, and the too hip for life patrons don't matter either. But both times I was here REAL LATE I thought the music was fantastic. I shook my booty and the bouncer laughed at my white girl moves. Whatever.
(3)A K.
Has anyone experienced the weird and inappropriate bouncer? He totally set the mood for my night. Creepy and seedy...and this bar looks like a punk rock band got their hands on chalk and magic markers.
(2)Andy E.
Arrow is a solid, divey bar that's always a good place to start out your night. It's usually not very crowded (to the point that I'm actually surprised they've lasted as long as they have). On Saturdays they do have a DJ that for the most part is usually good. The beer selection is solid and you won't pay more than what you would normally pay in any NYC bar. Arrow isn't usually meant to spend more than an hour or two in, but for what it's worth it does the job
(3)Renee C.
This bar literally had a flashy arrow pointing you in the right direction, you can't quite miss it! ...other than that...nothing memorable.
(2)Tay M.
While I wouldn't really call this a 'dive bar,' i do enjoy myself here. It's usually not crazy packed and it wasn't last night (Friday). I'll agree with unoriginal decor, but there are some nice spaces for groups, which is what we had. The sign at the top of the stairs does not say "Arrow," but is instead just a big, lit-up arrow. Cute. $6 for a Stella? Not so cool. But it was dark and I couldn't see my bills very well and when I gave the bartender $13 instead of the intended $7, he very kindly brought my extra $6 back (+1 star for quality service). Thanks again, man.
(4)Stephy S.
Now THIS is a bar that is totally up my alley! I came here last night to see my boy, DJ Anton Oy Vey spin, well, not really spin, but rock the bar with the soothing sounds of heavy metal and it was awesome. Heavy Metal Happy Hour is every Friday night here and they rotate different DJ's every week. I met 2 of them last night and all really cool guys and I loved that they came out to support each other. Always awesome. As for the bar itself, it's pretty sweet. The ceilings are decked out in copper and I want it for my house now! It's also nice and dark and the people hanging here and workin here, yeah I'm talkin to you Chuck, are good ones. Would I come back? Of course, it's East Village, it's chill and hello, Heavy Metal Happy Hour! Tres rad!
(5)P J.
Meets all the requirements for an East Village dive bar. It's in a basement, mostly locals, two-for-one happy hour till 9 nightly. Heavy Metal Happy Hour on Fri is for jump starting your weekend not low-key unwinding, but fun if you've still got a pint of energy left in your day.
(3)Victor L.
2 for 1 makes me want to punch myself in the face, and then punch the person next to me in the face. I guess fighting with Hi-Fi for the whole buyback policy (they use tickets instead of chips) is admirable. You can opt to discuss with the management here about hosting your own party for a set block, DJing from your own iPod as they have a set of turntables with two iPod docks. A lot of regulars here, and the music blares unevenly (it's too loud in the front but the back is quiet), but it's a good mix of heavy rock, metal, and punk. The basement bar aspect helps with that musical quality, and the patrons certainly aren't chi-chi. You walk downstairs from the street and pull up either by the bar, by the sill with pint holders, or move to one of the couple booths or a funky open seating area just past the bar on the left. Pirates of the Caribbean pinball and Buck Hunter round out the back along with the bathrooms. The staff is friendly, everyone is pretty nice and there are smiles all around. The lighting isn't flattering, and that's pretty great. You can test your drunkability here.
(4)Anne K.
This past Thursday, I accidentally stayed at this bar until 4am. It was completely unintentional! Classic story: working girl is cautious about going out on weekday, working girl loves fun, working girl decides to sacrifice Friday morning happiness for fun. You know what? It was worth it. This place is a gem, but it is slightly hard to spot. The only indication of its existence was a large arrow sign pointing down to where music was wafting up from the slightly opened door. This place was almost completely empty, but all you need when you go out to a bar there are 4 things you need: good friend, nice bartender, good dj (even that is a plus), and booze. The bartender was extremely friendly and generous. He kept filling a pitcher with half popcorn and half cheese doodles, completely unprovoked! As long as he kept pouring the doodles, I stayed to keep eating them... At the time, it made perfect sense. The later it got, the more people showed up. There definitely were people still at the bar after closing hours. Did I just stumble on the new after hours joint?
(5)