Hold Fast Kitchen and Spirits

Hidden gem. Absolutely the best shepherds pie I have ever gotten. Holy smokes. Nuclear piping hot (as for it well done and crispy as a pro tip). I’m immediately saving to favorites to come back. So tasty, so crispy, super duper good. My mouth is in heaven right now.

We had tickets for a Broadway show and were looking to enjoy a relaxing dinner away from the hustle and bustle of Times Square. I discovered Hold Fast on the American Airlines Dining program, and the menu looked like a perfect fit for a pre-show meal.

Tucked away on a quieter street, Hold Fast feels like a true neighborhood gem. Although the restaurant isn’t large and their website didn’t offer an option to make a reservation, the staff was accommodating and welcoming. Upon arrival, we were politely asked if we had a reservation (we didn’t), but they kindly rearranged a few things and seated us promptly—a gesture we really appreciated.

The ambiance struck a great balance between cozy and vibrant, with charming décor and a relaxed vibe that set the tone for the evening. Our server was friendly and attentive from the start, making great drink suggestions and pacing our meal perfectly. We started with cocktails and appetizers, then moved on to our entrees. Everything arrived in good time and was absolutely delicious—flavorful, well-prepared, and clearly made with care.

Hold Fast was a fantastic find, and I’d absolutely return to explore more of their menu. If you’re in the Theater District and want a solid dining experience without the touristy chaos, this spot is well worth seeking out. Just consider calling ahead, especially on show nights!

Perfect little place. It felt like a secret hideaway down there. Cozy. Friendly people. Yummy food. Fantastic bar. We loved it.

Great wee bar . Went here after a show ,staff fab

Great little bar. Found by accident. Perfect!

Coolest vibe, great music, service, and the food is amazing!

Tasty cocktails, yummy food, and our bartender/waiter Jason (I think) was great!

Wouldn’t hesitate to go back. Friendly staff and good food.

Good vibe, good cocktails, friendly and attentive staff. What else do you need?! Worth going.

Great l’il dive bar in Hells Kitchen…wonderful bar staff and chili was excellent…a must try if you’re in the neighborhood.

Me and my friends had a good experience for a Friday get together. Definitely more rustic of a feel but the food was top notch.

Best bar in NYC. Best owners. Best food. Best staff. No notes.

My husband and I went this Hold Fast on a Sunday night following the NYC Half marathon. We booked a reservation earlier in the day to be sure we could get in and I’m glad we did. It was pretty full by the time we left.

We started with the deviled eggs…delicious and beautiful! We saw tons of people ordering these, so it’s certainly not a secret how good they are. Then we ordered two tacos - fish and steak. Both very good. The steak taco came with their in-house guacamole, which was amazing!

We also really enjoyed the Brussels sprouts and beets. Yum!

Our waiter was fantastic. The vibe was chill and the music selection was great - Interpol, Smashing Pumpkins, Florence and the Machine, etc. Definitely check this place out. There are a ton of options on this block, but you won’t be disappointed with this spot.

It's a must. Shane is fo funny and friendly and it doesn't stop at him he has a ln amazing crew. The food is so so so amazing. You definitely have to stop by you will definitely fall in love.

Lovely dinner at the bar tonight! We shared the charcuterie and cheese board, the portion was generous and the variety was very tasty. After that I had a cup of chili, my boo had 2 of the pulled pork tacos and we shared some crinkle cut fries. All home runs! Top tip, drop some fries in the chili. Cocktails were great, we each had 3 from the house cocktails list and all were delicious. Bartenders Erin and guy with the amazing chest tattoo (we didn’t get his name) were both wonderful! We’ll be back soon