Walked in and walked out.For a place called employees only, I was expecting a bit more…. casual I guess. The door guy set the vibe and I wasn’t impressed. Dark Mediocracy would be a better name. If I go back and actually try something I might review again, but it’s unlikely
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Anton S.
Atmosphere 6.5/10Place is half restaurant, half bar. But Bar being main element. Very loud and overcrowded inside. Yelling and tackling people required to order a drink. But pretty stylish back bar. Felt to me like an upscale dive bar.Drinks 7/10Nice menu design and a good cocktail selection. Ordered the recommended (50 Best Bars review) EO Espresso Martini and Mata Hari. Very average tasting and looking Espresso Martini. Mata Hari tasted really good though - fruity/refreshing. Also very average presentation - standard/same glasses for different drinks. No coasters.Service 4.5/10As mentioned above, no service without yelling and aggressively trying to make eye contact for 5-10min to get an order. Everyone has to put glasses on the bar counter, “ruining” the ambience for people at the bar. Average prices for NYC. No reservations possible for cocktails - prepare to wait in line in front of the bar.This is officially #15 North America’s Best Bar 2024. To say it nicely - there are enough bars in NA, deserving the spot more, IMO.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 3
Ian Criddle
Doorman over the top full of himself asking for ID, not going argue as huge guy ?. Don’t really get it as the place was very busy with a young crowd, while we left unimpressed for #14 in North America best bars (#99 world best)
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
Roberto Campisi
Used to be the place, now worst bar in the west village, 0 customers service also the bartman told me to take off my hat. I mean so out in a liberal place like New York!They try to be fancy but they don’t deserve your money! Chose another bar
David Makris
Employees Only has been and continues to be my favorite bar. I’ve visited 3 times in the past year and it’s always a home run. The drinks are always perfect, whether you’re trying one of their originals or a classic. When i have a dinner reservation nearby, there’s no place I’d rather be getting my night started, than EO. I haven’t tried their food YET, however, with the service & care they put into their cocktails, I have no doubt that the food is delicious as well. Employees Only is a must visit, whether you’re getting your night started, or finishing it with one last drink.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Natalia Kovylkina
Good food, nice cocktails, but hard to get a seat and very loud atmosphere that makes it very uncozy.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 3
Mariano Affranchino
Amazing place. Stop by and feel the vibe
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Andrés Zamudio
This is my favorite NY bar. I met some of the team when they had a guest bartending in Mexico and wanted to come since then. Cocktails are really good, shout out to the EO Espresso Martini and the Naked City that were my favorites. Food is also nice, you can sit at the bar or have a table for something more quiet. Service is top, great hospitality from everyone and amazing atmosphere. It gets really crowded late night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Jusbel Olivo
Employees only offers a wide range of delicious cocktails and ample seating. A great spot to catch up with friends! Highly recommend sitting at the bar if there’s space
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Danny 1
Don’t even bother going unless you know the doormen or are a 20-something skinny, pretty white girl. If you do happen to get in, place is overcrowded, too much pushing and shoving, and music is too loud. Don’t waste your time.
It usually gets pretty busy but I almost never had a problem find a spot. Food is not remarkable but drinks are top notch!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
Yiğit Sönmez
was bullied by the staff the entire night :(
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
Alison Pouw
one of my fav bars. fantastic cocktails. get the clarified drinks. a bit busy at all hours but worth the wait once to experience it. top 50 bars in the world.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Sandeep Malhotra
Definitely overrated. Cocktails were average. In fact the Manhattan was terrible, tasted like syrup. The service was pathetic. Arrogant staff. The decor was ok but the place was overcrowded and overpriced. A lot of bumping and shoving. My drink was knocked over by another guest.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Jose Guillen
Great speakeasy to pay a visit...great cocktails and very nice
Walked in and walked out.For a place called employees only, I was expecting a bit more…. casual I guess. The door guy set the vibe and I wasn’t impressed. Dark Mediocracy would be a better name. If I go back and actually try something I might review again, but it’s unlikely
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Atmosphere 6.5/10Place is half restaurant, half bar. But Bar being main element. Very loud and overcrowded inside. Yelling and tackling people required to order a drink. But pretty stylish back bar. Felt to me like an upscale dive bar.Drinks 7/10Nice menu design and a good cocktail selection. Ordered the recommended (50 Best Bars review) EO Espresso Martini and Mata Hari. Very average tasting and looking Espresso Martini. Mata Hari tasted really good though - fruity/refreshing. Also very average presentation - standard/same glasses for different drinks. No coasters.Service 4.5/10As mentioned above, no service without yelling and aggressively trying to make eye contact for 5-10min to get an order. Everyone has to put glasses on the bar counter, “ruining” the ambience for people at the bar. Average prices for NYC. No reservations possible for cocktails - prepare to wait in line in front of the bar.This is officially #15 North America’s Best Bar 2024. To say it nicely - there are enough bars in NA, deserving the spot more, IMO.
Atmosphere: 4
Service: 3
Doorman over the top full of himself asking for ID, not going argue as huge guy ?. Don’t really get it as the place was very busy with a young crowd, while we left unimpressed for #14 in North America best bars (#99 world best)
Atmosphere: 3
Service: 1
Used to be the place, now worst bar in the west village, 0 customers service also the bartman told me to take off my hat. I mean so out in a liberal place like New York!They try to be fancy but they don’t deserve your money! Chose another bar
Employees Only has been and continues to be my favorite bar. I’ve visited 3 times in the past year and it’s always a home run. The drinks are always perfect, whether you’re trying one of their originals or a classic. When i have a dinner reservation nearby, there’s no place I’d rather be getting my night started, than EO. I haven’t tried their food YET, however, with the service & care they put into their cocktails, I have no doubt that the food is delicious as well. Employees Only is a must visit, whether you’re getting your night started, or finishing it with one last drink.
Atmosphere: 5
Service: 5
Good food, nice cocktails, but hard to get a seat and very loud atmosphere that makes it very uncozy.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 5
Service: 3
Amazing place. Stop by and feel the vibe
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
This is my favorite NY bar. I met some of the team when they had a guest bartending in Mexico and wanted to come since then. Cocktails are really good, shout out to the EO Espresso Martini and the Naked City that were my favorites. Food is also nice, you can sit at the bar or have a table for something more quiet. Service is top, great hospitality from everyone and amazing atmosphere. It gets really crowded late night.
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Employees only offers a wide range of delicious cocktails and ample seating. A great spot to catch up with friends! Highly recommend sitting at the bar if there’s space
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 5
Service: 5
Don’t even bother going unless you know the doormen or are a 20-something skinny, pretty white girl. If you do happen to get in, place is overcrowded, too much pushing and shoving, and music is too loud. Don’t waste your time.
Atmosphere: 1
Food: 1
Service: 1
Restaurantji Recommends
It usually gets pretty busy but I almost never had a problem find a spot. Food is not remarkable but drinks are top notch!
Atmosphere: 5
Food: 4
Service: 4
was bullied by the staff the entire night :(
Atmosphere: 3
Food: 4
Service: 1
one of my fav bars. fantastic cocktails. get the clarified drinks. a bit busy at all hours but worth the wait once to experience it. top 50 bars in the world.
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 3
Definitely overrated. Cocktails were average. In fact the Manhattan was terrible, tasted like syrup. The service was pathetic. Arrogant staff. The decor was ok but the place was overcrowded and overpriced. A lot of bumping and shoving. My drink was knocked over by another guest.
Atmosphere: 2
Food: 3
Service: 1
Great speakeasy to pay a visit...great cocktails and very nice
Atmosphere: 4
Food: 5
Service: 5