Max Fish

This used to be a good place to go in the LES, but lately I have seen the signs of ageism and racism. I was called a deutsch bag because I called Harry the bartender by his name. He had been standing around for about ten minutes talking to whom he called the boss. Whatever,,,, I am called such a name because I wanted a drink. I will never go to this bar again. Really these are fighting words but why would I fight with this type of person who is just a worthless bartender and waste my time. The owner knows who I am and I have been around there for at least 20 years and have been subjected to this racism before. I just chose to ignore it. Now I am sick because I am called a deutsch bag because I wanted a drink. I say kiss my brown ass more

wow. never have i felt so unwelcome. max fish is run by pretentious hipsters who will judge you by the color your flannel rather then the content of your character. The tall unshaven prittyboy bartender and short grumpy asian bar back are the worst of all offenders. The staff's high horse does not justify their awful service - they are the hipster equivalent of club promoters for the upper w 20's (ie marquee, pink elephant, and all that bullsh*t you are obviously avoiding because you want to go out in the les) There is one good bartender - the guy with long black hair - hopefully you catch him and don't have to suffer dealing with the rest of the staff. But the safer bet is to avoid Max Fish all together and catch a better bar further south down Ludlow or east on Rivington. Screw Max Fish. more

I like this bar - all the reviews are true though. The bartender can be rude, and mixed drinks are not their specialty (you'll either get ALL booze or NO booze). There are also some regulars who are extremely protective of the bartender (whatever you do, don't call him Dave Grohl!). However, if you want to hang out and have a beer with your friends or play pool, this is the place. There is no dancing, there is always at least one fight, and there are always a ton of people who moved to New York last week - at any rate this all makes for good conversation. Also, hipster chicks love this place and basically come here to get picked up; I've never gone home alone if I put in a little effort. Beware of, avoid, or embrace the same pseudo-intellectuals you'll find anywhere else in this part of town, and you should have a good time. Pros: Good overall crowd, good music, pool, cheap drinks, good location Cons: Regulars, tourists, hipsters more

i like this place for the pool table and classic pinball machines. the bar is nothing great, but they attract local neighborhood people to mingle with more

The service was poor and the bartender rude. Anyone can serve beer, mixed drinks thats another story. The bartender refuse to fix the mistakes he made because he knew will never be back to that bar again. Nice job! Pros: Crowded, Bright Cons: Service, Staff, Atmosphere more

This place is cool as hell, but come early. by midnight this place is so jammed with LES "chillers" that you cant get to the bar. More room in back which makes it cool. Come with friends snag a seat and you will have a good time. arrive late and you are squeezed to death from all angles by smelly sloppily dressed confused dorks wearing mesh hats who get bills paid by daddy. Worth a visit, respectable dive. Pros: FUNKY PEOPLE, BATHROOMS BIG, FUNKY MUSIC Cons: SMALL BAR, GOOFY PEOPLE more

Fun bar to hang out at...be sure not to drink too much, as the walls will start to move on you in the back of the bar......the configuration sucks becuase people block the way to the back, by standing at the bar. So going outside for a smoke can take quite awhile...i did say outside..right? more

Max Fisch had an intellectual, sexy, bisexual crowd the first time I visited ...perhaps beginner's luck since I just moved to the city. Since then, I've been twice and the people were less daring, less bohemian or simply put: less interesting. I have yet to see someone dancing in this bar, but the pool table seems to be quite popular. Max Fisch is hit or miss on weekends, but a good bet on weekdays. Pros: Hip, Sexy, Low Key Cons: Lame, Superficial, Pool Psychos more

I've gone to Max Fish occasionally - but regularly - for about 10 years. It hasn't changed - even most of the bartenders are the same. Great, friendly place - most of the people I became friends with in NY I met here. No attitude from the staff. Only drawback is that it gets SO crowded sometimes - and smoky - especially on weekends - but who goes out on weekends? And as for the brightness - I think it's good to see who you're talking to. There will be no cases of strobelight honies! Pros: Consistent, Great service, Good Vibe Cons: Crowded, Smoky more

too bright and too crowded, plus it takes a year and a half to get a drink. some hot girls make it tolerable though. more