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244 East Houston (at Avenue A)
New York, NY 10002

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(212) 982-3532
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Stay - New York, NY
Stay - New York, NY
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Stay - New York, NY
Stay - New York, NY
Stay - New York, NY
Stay - New York, NY
Stay - New York, NY
Stay - New York, NY
Stay - New York, NY
Stay - New York, NY
Stay - New York, NY
Reviews
( 38 )
( 13 )
( 4 )
( 3 )
( 8 )

Best

Great place!...been open for years and always stop by when I'm in the area. Good music and crowd is the usual.

Worst

So lets get realistic. I've been to Stay three times in the past year and its one of those places which gets worse each time you go. I consider the LES to be the dingiest area o...

Stay 5/8/2011

Great place!...been open for years and always stop by when I'm in the area. Good music and crowd is the usual. more
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HORIBLE EXPERIENCE 8/6/2010

Parking Sucks..Over-priced , watered -down drinks..Got very hot inside.. Shared bathroom was terible and absurd..VIP area in basement was horible and NO hot chicks at all. Bartenders were friendly though but Weird how about 40+ reviews here were positive.hmmm..fishy two words..DON'T STAY more
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Great place 6/12/2010

I just had my sister's surprise party at Stay and it was perfect! The event planner was great to deal with. She made sure we didn't have to wait on line when we arrive and that we had two large tables reserved since we had over 50 people. Our waitress took care of us all night. Couldn't ask for me...thanks for making it so easy! Pros: Music, service Cons: Too crowded more
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Great birthday after party at Stay 11/8/2009

I had a birthday gathering for about 15 people at Stay this weekend - the staff was incredibly friendly and helpful as I was setting it up. The place is intimate and fun...the DJ got better and better as the night went on. All my guests had a great time. We will definetly go back! Pros: Friendly staff, good DJ, good seating (table service) more
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Great Music & Lots of Fun 10/26/2009

I recently hosted my birthday party here- it was great! Rob was very helpful and accomodating. The drinks were good and the music was awesome- one good song after another! The place was very nice but it did get a little hot once more people came in. Overall, it was great and I would definitely go there again! Pros: Good Music, Good Drinks, Nice place Cons: Too hot inside more
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SENSUAL AND SMOOOOOTHE!!! 9/26/2009

I recently had my Fundraiser event at STAY and it was fantastic!! The crew, Rob, Lance, Zargo, Zasha were amazingly kind and accommodating. The guests loved the atmosphere and the drinks were incredible. I love this space and I would say it is a perfect location to get cozy on a first date , have a party with your close friends or have a business social event. It's sensual and warm. And trust me I will be back as I'm sure many of my guest that attended for the first time. STAY makes you want to STAY. :-) Swaggerliciously SENSUAL! Pros: Great Area and Staff more
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Potent Drinks 7/20/2009

I was referred to Stay from a coworker who had a drunken escapade worth remembering. Making the reservation was easy and had no complications at the door. By 2am I was floating after drowning in cafe patron shots. Thanks! Goodtimes! Pros: Great Music and No cover Cons: Parking more
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Amazing 7/4/2009

I'm shocked that the LES has such a hidden gem. I booked my 28th bday with 20 friends and had a blast. What's great is there's no hassle at the door,your guests get priority, and a snob free enviroment. The only downfall was a friend of mine couldn't get in with shorts. I'll be back for sure. Pros: Great Staff Cons: bad area for parking more
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nothing special and overpriced 4/17/2009

So lets get realistic. I've been to Stay three times in the past year and its one of those places which gets worse each time you go. I consider the LES to be the dingiest area of Manhattan and I go there for good deals and sloppy drunk fun. Stay randomly thinks they can charge $10-$15 per drink even though its just a dive bar on Houston Street. The bartender gave me attitude when I refused to pay my $100 tab for 7 drinks. It was totally absurd. The downstairs "VIP" area is a windowless basement with low ceilings and after 10 minutes in there I need air. I would not recommend this place--it will disappoint. Pros: good music Cons: overpriced drinks more
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Awesome Birthday!~ 2/1/2009

So, I planned this the week of my birthday and everything went smoothly. I was so scared b/c I didn't pick a place and when I called other venues in the LES, I was told to try Stay. Rob Koda, helped me set up a table which was no charge and no charge at the door. The place wasn't that packed either on a Saturday night. I could walk and move around lol. Later the VIP downstairs open which had more dancing. One of the best birthdays ever! Thanks Again!~ Pros: Ambience, music, service Cons: Parking, get there at a reasonable time more
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Kickin in 2009 1/1/2009

Hey guys I applaud you for having an amazing party! The deal was sweet. Everything went smooth and the music was on the money. See you all again less intoxicated! Pros: Fun Staff,Great Music Cons: Parking more
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One shared bathroom for the whole bar---Pathetic!!!! 12/22/2008

Spent more time on the ass-gasket line than chatting with friends! What good is the 2 additional bathrooms in the basement if they're "off-limits". BTW, No cuties and the drinks were horrible! Pros: None Cons: lighting, bathroom, ambience, more
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Boring bar with nothing going on 12/17/2008

This bar is NOT a good place to go if you're looking for some fun. Boring! Bad sound system and odd layout. No hotties and one bathroom. Pros: none Cons: couldnt even find it more
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best birthday spot! 12/14/2008

I had my bday party last Saturday and we had so much fun. Bartenders were super friendly too. We didn't reserve a table, but 14of us could easily find seating and tables. Good music, good ambiance! We loved the fact that i was not crazily packed.! Pros: everything!!! Cons: cocktails weren't the best. more
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Great Birthday Spot! 11/9/2008

I was searching high and low for a nice lounge for my boyfriend's surprise birthday party, I didn't want the average expensive place with a lot of attitude and drama. I'm glad to say that is not what happened at all. I booked the VIP table for the price of 1 bottle (great) and that was it. All my guests got in easily and didn't have to wait in line, the service was great, they allow cupcakes for birthdays (try sugar sweet sunshine bakery around the corner from here- it's open late) Some people here have said it can get packed, I went on a Friday night and it really wasn't too packed at all, there were a lot more people as it got later, but it was really fine. The place isn't huge at all, and one sucky thing was that there is only one bathroom total. But honestly the DJ was good, the service was great, there were no problems what so ever, and everyone had a good time. Just be prepared, if you get the VIP table (highly suggested for groups of 10 and up), it is right under the DJ, so if you don't like it loud... you may consider a regular table or another place. Pros: Ambience, Service, Music, Crowd Cons: The name "STAY" isn't on the front so look for the street address, 1 bathroom only more
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Downtown heaven for an Uptown guy!!! 10/10/2008

This bar is quintessential New York. I like a bar that has an eclectic mix and Stay is certainly that. I've been there a dozen times in the past 3 years and the crowd is always diverse; just what you would expect on the lower east side of Manhattan. Maybe it's because the owners are so diverse themselves. One is Filipino/Polish American, one Thai American and the other American/American (the one with the "body"). I've been there when the mix was African American and Asian American and another time I was there when the crowd seemed to be half Un-American and European. Another time I stopped by for a quick drink and it was like I was in New York Model heaven. One of the interesting aspects is how the crowd changes from early evening to late night. I really like the music for the same reason. It is always different so I suspect they have a diverse group of DJ's. In any case, these three owners must be doing something right cause the place is still going strong for at least 3 years that I know of. (A rare thing in a city where bars seem to open and close on a moments notice). I'm an uptown guy but when I head downtown for dinner I like stopping by here before or after I eat. In these tough economic times STAY lounge is here to stay. Pros: Great mix of people Cons: Can be crowded at times more
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nice modern bar 9/18/2008

My going away celebration at STAY this past weekend was an fun. I didn't like the fact that I had to ask for my complimentary bottle of champagne, they should just have given it to me upon arrival when they seated my group. The male bartender with the french accent in the front was really sweet but slow as a turtle. I counted at least 7 or 8 people waiting on drinks. Not good. The vibe inside was ok, typical lower east wanna-be hipsters filled with mostly Europeans and to my dismay not as diverse as I expected. Other than that I'd like to point out that the music made my night and everyone loved the DJ, oh and the bouncers are awesome! never met security that was so cool. Pros: Music Music Music , DJ, clean Cons: not as crowded as hyped up to be more
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Best bday 9/14/2008

I had my 25th bday party at STAY Saturday,and had a blast and worry free time. No hassles at the door,immediate seating, and comp champagne to celebrate. The bartenders were generous and friendly. I met one of the managers,Lance,and he hooked us up with some yummy shots. He's so hot!!!! The only issue was it got a bit packed and the smoking section outside is tight. Pros: fun staff Cons: crowded more
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Don't "Stay" 9/6/2008

I had my birthday party here last night. First of all, they sent me an email saying there was a "premium" open bar from 9-10, it only included well liquor no beer. The resident DJ was really bad and was not open to requests. His playlist was pretty lame, his newest song was from 5 years ago. The decor was pretty bad also, one bathroom, one huge couch. The floors were old laminate tiles. It looked like a dingy hallway. The cocktail cups at the bar were plastic! The bartenders were nice though. It's hard to believe that all 47 reviewers had a great time here, smells fishy. Pros: nice bartenders Cons: dj, decor, plastic cocktail cups more
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Chill, great vibe 1/28/2008

Went here last weekend on a last-minute get together w/ some friends...no BS at the door, great staff and the drinks were pretty good, decently priced. The music was pretty good too, a nice mix of things. Overall a very good vibe, relaxed atmosphere, and the inside looks great. A friend of mind plans on having her bday here next Saturday and I'm looking forward to being back. Pros: Great staff, chill atmosphere, good drinks Cons: small space, but it adds to the coziness more
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Menu for Stay


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A seductive style and easygoing East Village sensibility at this modernist lounge.

Owner Message

  • It may be the 60's retro decor, the diverse mix of DJ-spun tunes, the specialty cocktails, or the cool, attractive downtown crowd which make you stay, but once you arrive, you're going nowhere.

Editorial

  • The Scene
    A very subtle sign on its front window makes this nightspot feel discreet--despite its well-traveled Houston Street location. A mod, curvaceous couch lines one wall, '60s-style lounge chairs provide additional seating, and retro-futuristic pendant lamps cast a sexy red glow. The only thing that's missing in this chic space is a snooty attitude; instead, there's a welcoming, inclusive, laid-back vibe.

    The Draw
    Thanks to a generous no-cover policy and mainstream-friendly house, hip-hop, and '80s DJs, an unpretentious crowd packs the house on weekends, and full bars at either end of the long, slim space ensure service without much of a wait. The affable staffers deftly pour several popular house cocktails, including the achingly sweet and naughtily named Punani, a blue pina colada served in a martini glass. The bar covers all the bases, with beer, wine, and bottle service available, too.

  • 6/16/2005 Provided by Citysearch
Additional information
  • Hours: Tue-Wed 6am-3pm Thu 6pm-4am Fri-Sat 8pm-4am
  • Payments: American Express, Master Card, Visa, Discover
  • Neighborhoods: Lower East Side, Downtown
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