Blue Owl Cocktail Room

GO - I'm just telling you to GO. Seriously - you will not be disappointed! Pros: Great location. more

If you like to drink this is NOT the place for you. If you do, however, like to sit at bar with an empty glass and get blasted by cold air when the door opens then you've found your home! Pros: Lots of losers hitting on you whilst sober Cons: The wishing for a rufee to make the night end more

I went to the Blue Owl this past weekend for the first time with a friend and - wow - we were definitely surprised. I didn't know anything about the place before we showed up and ended up having a great time. The drinks were delicious, staff was attentive and well-versed, DJ was one of the best I've heard in a while, and the bouncer kept the place from getting too packed. It's a beautiful spot in a convenient location that isn't drenched with NYU kids. Don't miss this place! Pros: ambience, service, music, drinks Cons: nada more

We had a party in one of the backrooms and had a terrible experience. We were required to make an agreement upfront which is totally normal if you want to have private space in a bar or club these days. The agreement was that for 2hrs in one of their back rooms, we would guarantee spending $1000. Seemed totally reasonable until we got there and discovered how small the room was. The room was so small it barely fit 20 people. Since we had 30+ show up, many were forced to hang out in the hallway and at the bar in the room next door. In the private room, there was no bar, it was very hot and being as packed in as we were in there, the service was extremely slow. The whole setup made it impossible to come even close to drinking $1000 worth in that time. At exactly, 11pm the manager and bouncer kicked us out of the room and asked us to pay up. We were obviously short a few hundred dollar on what we had agreed, particularly since the service was so slow. The manager was completely unreasonable and wouldn't give us any credit for buying a couple hundred dollars of drinks at the bar. He even refused to buy us a round of drinks to compensate us a bit for the shortfall. After 10minutes of arguing, we paid the difference and left the bar, vowing never to return again. With this kind of treatment, I would not be surprise to see the Blue Owl go out business... more

The unique drink menu is just the start of what makes this place so great! Upon descending into the ""lair"" that is Blue Owl, you are greeted with great music, piping through at a reasonable volume. I'm a huge fan of the olive, meat and cheese options as I like to nibble while I drink. It can be difficult to find a place to sit depending on what time you visit, but it's worth it even if you have to stand and drink. Highly Recommend trying the Blue Owl. Pros: Drinks options, atmosphere, good music! Cons: Can get super-crowded. more

We checked out this spot while visiting from SF. We go to New York a lot and are always seeking out fresh new spots to hang, minus the flotsam and jetsam -- this place fits the bill. Excellent cocktails, good vibe, phat tunes, and a staff that makes you feel like you're a member at a private club. Gotta a real old school speakeasy vibe, yet the music and drinks are definitely new school. more

Absolutely one of the best bars in the city. Outstanding drinks and service, great music, and a really friendly, open atmosphere. A great place for a date, as well as for meeting people. Really, really, hip. Pros: Outstanding drinks, Great food & service, Hip music &atmosphere more

Maybe the weekends are different, but I stopped by for a drink Tuesday evening with some friends and thought the lounge was nicely decorated but lacked the ambiance. The lights were TOO bright and the service was mediocre. The music was okay - ipod. The Tempranillo red was too tart and possibly old.... But the pinot noir was v. nice. The staff wasn't v. friendly but wasn't rude... Just... Mediocre... Pros: Decoration, Pinot Noir Cons: Mediocre Service, Bright lights, Music more

I recently threw a private party for 20 in the much talked about ""secret"" VIP room. Although it did initially seem pricey, it was TOTALLY worth it. The delicious drinks were flowing, the private entrance and secret password were a HIT, and the VIP bathroom was an added luxury after a lifetime of waiting in line for no toilet paper and sticky floors. Although the room seems narrow it is more than ample space to accomodate 20 people. We also had the freedom to spill out into the hallway. Between the drinks, the incredible meat and cheese spread, super cute waitress, and the IPOD JACK!, my friends and i had an awesome time. Pros: VIP ROOM, Louge Feel, GREAT DRINKS Cons: smallish- lines form more

I just checked out the Blue Owl last week and was very impressed. I highly recommend the private party room in the back, which requires a password and has a separate entrance for a VIP quality. With the gourmet food and unlimited drinks that accompanies the reservation of this room, it's the perfect solution for a small intimate gathering. The sliced meets, fine cheeses, and olives were very tasty and went perfectly with the designer drinks. Overall, I would really recommend checking out the Blue Owl for a private party, after-work happy hour, or your Saturday night main event.... It's just what the East Village needed. Pros: Cool, Private space, Trendy more

Check this place out before the word gets out. I went on a Monday night and it was packed. The drinks were strong, and the decor was very luxe yet chill. I tried the drink of the month, which was amazing, but what was even more amazing was the drink (a brazilian rum concotion) matched the music (brazilian street music). The bartendar was a little unattentive. But, I highly recommend this place! Pros: Drinks, Ambiance Cons: Service more

Some of the best music Ive heard in the city with a sexy speak easy atmosphere .. you must check this place out! Pros: intimate, great music, awesome location more

I highly recommend this swank, yet chill, spot. The service is excellent and you feel like you are inside a glowing nest of hot people, great music and lovely beverages. Prices are reasonable and the location is excellent - it's a very short walk from Union Square. When I went, I met the owner, who is an incredibly gracious and cool guy. I also enjoyed the VIP room, where a medium-size group can hang out in a sort of cave-den of decadent splendor. CHECK IT OUT. Pros: Good music, Good prices, Beautiful setting more

Had a great time at Blue Owl the other night. The Party/VIP room is well wired for thumpin music, well couched for tired bums, and well-served for dry throats. Highly recommended! more

I had a fabulous time at a private party my friend threw in the VIP room downstairs. Sexy lighting and a delicious Caipirinha in hand, my boyfriend and I lounged about with friends and the music of our choice. It was only as we were leaving through the main room of the bar did I see the full extent of how sexy and elegant the place really is. A must visit! more

The place is definitely cool- nice people, not too crowded (the bouncer outside makes sure it never gets uncomfortably packed). After a little while, we were all able to sit. But while it had a good vibe, the drinks took FOREVER to be made and were really weak when they arrived. For @12- a drink should be sufficiently alcoholic. Pros: Atmosphere, Crowd Control, People Cons: Expensive, Weak Drinks, Slow Service more

When I first walked into the Blue Owl with a group of friends I was taken aback. It was a dimly lit crowded room that didnt seem capable of accomadating my group of 6. However, after we ordered our drinks (we were promtly approached by a waitress), she came back to let us know of a few seats that had just come available that we sat comfortably in for hours. The atmosphere is amazing. The crowd was fun & friendly and the waitstaff was, as I said prompt, and very knowledgable. Their interesting cocktails is part of what has me hooked. I was very impressed and already have plans to go back this weekend. My friends and I had a great time. more

On Saturday night, The Blue Owl was rockin' and rollin'. Owner and staff were friendly and welcoming. Great drinks. These guys understand the meaning of hospitality. I'll be back! more

I went to this place when it opened and am very happy to see it's really found its niche. Wednesday the cocktails are half off until midnight (not that's what I call happy hour) and oh so refreshing now that spring has finally arrived, you can even drink them outside. I love the cool vibe, very cozy, very friendly, a great place to meet a friend or a few. My favortie new old hang! Pros: friendly staff, unique drinks, romantic, great DJs more

I came in on a Friday night and had a great time. Knowledgeable HOT staff- girls and guys- great cocktails- and a really fun/class vibe. Cheers! more