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THE POLO BAR

Last Updated: 8 days ago

Phone: (212) 207-8562

Address: 1 EAST 55 STREET 10022

TLDR

A swanky, exclusive American spot w/ a coveted, hard-to-get reservation. Think classic dishes & vibes.

Sentiment Overview(Based on 251 Reddit comments)

23% Positive51% Neutral26% Negative

Achievements and Accolades

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Tags

american 40american (new) 6restaurant 2burger 42pigs in a blanket 9lobster roll 9View All

Neighborhoods

Midtown

Instagram Posts References

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Details

Step into a world of refined American dining at The Polo Bar, where classic dishes are elevated in an atmosphere that whispers exclusivity and old-world charm. It's a place that promises an experience as curated as a Ralph Lauren runway show, offering a taste of timeless elegance in the heart of New York City. While reservations are notoriously hard to come by, securing a spot is a testament to its enduring allure and the coveted dining experience it provides.

Food Overview

The cuisine is classic American with a focus on upscale comfort food. Standout items mentioned include the corned beef sandwich, popovers, and various desserts like the coffee ice cream and coconut cake. However, some diners have found the food, including burgers and steaks, to be mediocre or not worth the effort of securing a reservation.

Highlights / Recommended

"While opinions vary, some diners highly recommend the corned beef sandwich and the coffee ice cream. The popovers and certain appetizers like pigs in a blanket have also received positive mentions."

Mentioned Dishes:

  • burger(8)
  • french dip(5)
  • corned beef sandwich(5)
  • coffee ice cream(4)
  • wagyu burger(4)
  • cheeseburger(4)
  • lobster roll(3)
  • sundae(2)
  • fried olives(2)

Customer Sentiment

Customer sentiment is divided, with many praising the restaurant's ambiance and exclusive feel, while others find the food underwhelming and the reservation process overly difficult.

Reddit References

Highlighted Posts

This comprehensive post details a mixed experience at The Polo Bar, with the reviewer finding the ambiance great but the food underwhelming, comparing the burger unfavorably to a golf course burger and noting the pigs in a blanket were nothing special. The discussion in the comments touches on many of these points, with some agreeing and others defending the food.
This thread discusses the difficulty of securing reservations at popular NYC establishments, with The Polo Bar being a frequent topic. Users share tips on how to get a table, including calling exactly when reservations open and dealing with long hold times, highlighting the challenge of getting into this restaurant.
In this discussion about hyped restaurants, multiple users express that The Polo Bar did not live up to its reputation. This highlights a recurring sentiment among some diners that the restaurant's fame doesn't translate to an exceptional dining experience.
This post and its comments delve into the general vibe and experience at The Polo Bar. While some find it great, others suggest focusing on the experience and atmosphere rather than the food itself, as it can be crowded.
This post mentions The Polo Bar among other trendy NYC restaurants known for managing reservations and clientele carefully. It suggests the restaurant is part of a scene where exclusivity and reservation management are key aspects of the dining experience.

Recent Mentions

From post: New Spots For An Old Nycer

"This user suggests calling Polo Bar right at 4 PM the day before for reservations, as that's when cancellations are often confirmed."

Neutral
Feb 1, 2026View Comment →

From post: New Spots For An Old Nycer

"Polo Bar was recommended by a user who also suggested other restaurants like Bungalow and Monkey Bar."

Positive
Feb 1, 2026View Comment →

From post: Any Clue What Restaurant Shes Talking About In

"A former employee of the store attached to The Polo Bar mentioned that the food was excessively salty and that drug dealing was occurring in the kitchen."

Negative
Jan 18, 2026View Comment →

From post: Any Clue What Restaurant Shes Talking About In

"The commenter clarified that Martha Stewart mentioned 'Polo Lounge' which is likely The Polo Bar, noting she got the name slightly wrong."

Neutral
Jan 17, 2026View Comment →

From post: Any Clue What Restaurant Shes Talking About In

"This commenter confirmed that the restaurant mentioned is The Polo Bar."

Neutral
Jan 17, 2026View Comment →

From post: Any Clue What Restaurant Shes Talking About In

"This commenter expressed a negative experience at The Polo Bar, citing a very bad steak and the worst espresso martini they've ever had. They feel the restaurant is more for celebrity sightings than for food quality."

Negative
Jan 17, 2026View Comment →

From post: Any Clue What Restaurant Shes Talking About In

"A commenter identified The Polo Bar as the restaurant mentioned in the post."

Neutral
Jan 17, 2026View Comment →

From post: Any Clue What Restaurant Shes Talking About In

"This commenter provided a link to The Polo Bar's website, confirming it as the restaurant being discussed."

Neutral
Jan 16, 2026View Comment →

From post: Dress Code

"This user mentioned that The Polo Bar encourages jackets but does not require them."

Neutral
Dec 22, 2025View Comment →

From post: What Are Places In Nyc That Match This Winter

"This user recommended the Polo Bar."

Positive
Dec 17, 2025View Comment →

From post: What Are Places In Nyc That Match This Winter

"This user recommended Polo Bar and Bathtub Gin."

Positive
Dec 16, 2025View Comment →

From post: What Are Places In Nyc That Match This Winter

"This user recommended Polo Bar."

Positive
Dec 16, 2025View Comment →

From post: What Are Places In Nyc That Match This Winter

"This user recommended Polo Bar for its cozy vibe."

Positive
Dec 16, 2025View Comment →

From post: Three Weeks Off Between Jobs What Nyc Restaurants

"This user clarifies that while waiting in line for a table at Polo Bar might not be standard, walking in at the bar could be a possibility."

Neutral
Dec 15, 2025View Comment →

From post: Three Weeks Off Between Jobs What Nyc Restaurants

"The original poster expressed surprise at the possibility of waiting in line for a spot at Polo Bar."

Neutral
Dec 15, 2025View Comment →

From post: Three Weeks Off Between Jobs What Nyc Restaurants

"Polo Bar is mentioned as a suggestion, with a note that while reservations might not be possible, walking in at the bar could be an option."

Neutral
Dec 15, 2025View Comment →

From post: Post Theater Recommendation For A Sunday Night

"The commenter strongly recommends Polo Bar if the user's concierge can secure a reservation there."

Positive
Dec 12, 2025View Comment →

From post: Christmas Bars

"Polo Bar was listed as a suggestion."

Positive
Oct 31, 2025View Comment →

From post: Ideas For 150pp Dinner In Midtown Or Easily

"Polo Bar is recommended as an American dining option in Midtown."

Positive
Oct 29, 2025View Comment →

From post: Is There A Restaurant With A Similar Vibe To Polo

"Found Polo Bar's food and drinks to be good but detests the reservation process, arrogant service, and 'waspy' vibe."

Negative
Oct 24, 2025View Comment →