I chose Stanton Public to celebrate my birthday a few Friday nights past based on CitySearch reviews. I would never have noticed this place because it's kind of off the beaten path, especially for LES. It was a great choice because I had an awesome night (can't remember some of it), the bar was able to accommodate 15+ friends comfortably, and I got to drink for free all night! I drank Southampton Double White (very tasty) all night, in addition to some random shots... We started off the evening in the outdoor ""beer garden"" that is cozy and comfortable on cool summer evenings, but by 11 pm it was PACKED! So as more friends arrived, I decided to move the party downstairs. There is a semi-private area down there with alcove seating, dart boards, flat-screen TV, and easy access to the ladies room. No one was downstairs, so we turned it into our own VIP section :-) The waitresses were very friendly and served my party both upstairs and down. My friends were a little disappointed that there was no food service that evening, but the amazing selection of beers and full bar made up for it. This is the place to go if you want a variety of drinks, or want to try something new. Even though I didn't have to pay for drinks that night, my friends told me that drink prices were reasonable, especially for Manhattan. Also, between the main bar area, garden, and downstairs, no one was bored. My only other issue is that the music was VERY loud, but that's the problem at most bars in the city. I would highly recommend Stanton Public for a chill weekday night out, or a weekend party. Call the management a few days before if you are planning to bring a big party, and plan to arrive early to grab the good seats.
Pros: Beer selection, multiple rooms, great for parties
Cons: Very loud music, spotty food service
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