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THE POLO BAR

Updated

Phone: (212) 207-8562

Address: 1 EAST 55 STREET 10022

TLDR

Iconic, club-like NYC hotspot known for equestrian decor and high-profile glamour. Expect tough-to-get reservations and a quintessential "old New York" atmosphere.

Reddit Sentiment for THE POLO BAR(based on 73 Reddit opinions)

34% Positive45% Neutral21% Negative

Tags

american 21american 6burger 5steak 4View All

Neighborhoods

Midtown

Instagram Posts References

The Polo Bar, a Ralph Lauren establishment, offers a dining experience captured by the author. Images include the restaurant's menu, a steak dish with sauce, and the general ambiance with leather seating and equestrian-themed art. The author's caption "Momma, I made it." and the use of the hashtag #nycdining suggest a notable visit. While no explicit rating is given by the creator, the overall presentation implies a positive experience.

The Polo Bar, while renowned for its excellent ambiance and prime people-watching opportunities, requires selective ordering to fully appreciate its culinary offerings. The restaurant is an upscale steakhouse with a classic American menu, offering a range of starters, salads, main courses, and indulgent desserts. The establishment's signature dishes include robust steaks cooked to perfection, a hearty burger, and classic sides like mashed potatoes and fries. The dessert menu features options like sundaes and a highly-regarded chocolate cake. Despite the overall positive experience, the post emphasizes making informed choices from the menu.

The creator visited The Polo Bar and enjoyed a delicious sundae. The post highlights the classic New York dining experience associated with the restaurant, focusing on the dessert and the general ambiance.

This image presents the interior of Polo Bar, a restaurant with a classic and sophisticated decor. The ambiance is warm and inviting, with rich wood paneling, elegant artwork, and well-appointed tables, suggesting a refined dining experience.

The image shows a Negroni cocktail at 'the polo bar', with a menu visible in the background. This suggests a well-established establishment known for its drinks and dining.

The Polo Bar is a very exclusive restaurant where reservations can only be made by phone and must be booked exactly 30 days in advance at 10 AM. The post rates it a 9/10, highlighting its difficulty in securing a table.

Ralph Lauren's Midtown restaurant has been fully booked since 2015, known for its dark wood, equestrian decor, and an atmosphere that perfectly embodies 'old New York done right'. It's a highly sought-after dining experience in the city.

Ralph Lauren's sophisticated restaurant in Midtown East, The Polo Bar offers classic American fare in an elegant, club-like setting. It is known for its exclusive atmosphere, celebrity clientele, and stylish decor, making reservations a significant challenge.

The Polo Bar is celebrated by the reviewer as an all-time favorite New York City dining destination, praised for its consistent excellence across multiple visits. The establishment is lauded for its exceptional service, the captivating design of its upstairs bar, and the overall high quality of its food offerings. The dining room itself is highlighted for embodying the classic elegance and sophistication expected from the Ralph Lauren brand.

The Polo Bar is presented as a highly sought-after and elegant American restaurant in New York City, celebrated for its stunning and sophisticated interior that attracts a discerning clientele of models and industry figures. Despite a suggested dress code, the staff is described as kind and welcoming, creating a comfortable environment even for families, though strollers are not permitted. The cuisine features classic American dishes, with special commendation for the initial popovers and the corned beef sandwiches. The overall dining experience is rated positively for its atmosphere (5/5) and value (4/5), while taste (3/5) and child-friendliness (3/5) are considered good. Reservations are strongly advised for access to the main dining area.

Featured Articles

Dedicated reviews and comprehensive features focusing directly on this restaurant.

The Polo Bar Is Reportedly Moving. That Seems Like a Bad Idea.
neutral

The author explores the rumors surrounding the potential relocation of The Polo Bar, a restaurant famed for its exclusive, club-like atmosphere and carefully curated design.

Jul 30, 2026
Read More →
Grubstreet

Other Article Mentions

Lists, round-ups, and guides where this restaurant is mentioned alongside others.

Mentioned In
The NYC Restaurants Where It’s Still Impossible to Get a Table
positive

Ralph Lauren's The Polo Bar is a preppy, subterranean Midtown establishment known for its scene and celebrity sightings. While the food, including a notable corned beef sandwich, is good, the primary draw is the exclusive ambiance.

Bryan KimDate unknown
Read More →
Infatuation

Details

Known for its sophisticated, equestrian-themed interior, this Ralph Lauren-owned spot offers a quintessential "old New York" vibe [6]. While it is a highly sought-after destination for its ambiance and celebrity sightings, potential diners often face significant challenges securing a reservation [3], [4]. Opinions on the experience are deeply polarized, as some guests enjoy the classic American fare and desserts [2], [10], while others find the food quality inconsistent or overpriced for the hype [7], [12].

Food Overview

The menu features classic American comfort food, with highlights like the corned beef sandwich, steaks, and decadent desserts like the chocolate cake [1], [8], [10]. However, quality is frequently debated, with some diners calling dishes like the burger and steak mediocre or disappointing relative to the price point [7], [11], [12].

Highlights / Recommended

Mentioned Dishes:

  • burger(8)
  • corned beef sandwich(6)
  • french dip(5)
  • coffee ice cream(4)
  • wagyu burger(4)
  • cheeseburger(4)
  • lobster roll(3)
  • sundae(3)
  • pigs in a blanket(3)
  • chocolate cake(2)
  • fried olives(2)
  • steak(2)
  • shrimp cocktail(2)
  • the polo bar burger(2)
  • popover(2)

Customer Sentiment

Sentiment is highly divided; fans praise the beautiful atmosphere and exceptional service [10], whereas critics frequently describe the restaurant as an overrated, pretentious destination with arrogant staff [7], [10].

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About THE POLO BAR

This post draws a comparison between the restaurant and the fictional 'Dorsia,' noting its 'gatekeeping' receptionist, exclusive reservation process, and focus on social prestige over elite culinary quality.
A discussion illustrating the frustration diners face when trying to manage or change difficult-to-secure reservations at the restaurant.

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: Bots Booking Up Reservations Is This A Things For

"Mentioned as a high-demand restaurant potentially susceptible to reservation-bot activity."

Neutral
Aug 5, 2026View Comment →

From post: What Restaurant Is Most Similar To Dorsia From

"The author argues that while the social dynamic matches, the food is not at the ultra-high-end 'haute' level of what Dorsia represents."

Neutral
Aug 3, 2026View Comment →

From post: What Restaurant Is Most Similar To Dorsia From

"The author describes the place as pretentious and suggests it should shut down."

Negative
Aug 2, 2026View Comment →

From post: What Restaurant Is Most Similar To Dorsia From

"The author claims to have had an amazing shrimp cocktail at the restaurant."

Positive
Jul 31, 2026View Comment →

From post: What Restaurant Is Most Similar To Dorsia From

"This place fits the 'Dorsia' vibe well, featuring a gatekeeping receptionist, difficult reservations, and fine but not great food."

Neutral
Jul 31, 2026View Comment →

From post: Corner Store Reservationwalkin Questionsuggestions

"Used as a comparison point for a restaurant that relies on prestige rather than substance."

Neutral
Jul 26, 2026View Comment →

From post: Polo Bar Solo Tonight At 6pm What Are My Chances

"Notes that getting a seat without a reservation is highly unlikely."

Neutral
Jul 16, 2026View Comment →

From post: Polo Bar Solo Tonight At 6pm What Are My Chances

"Reflects on an old experience where they were told food was only served in the dining room."

Neutral
Jul 15, 2026View Comment →

From post: Polo Bar Solo Tonight At 6pm What Are My Chances

"Clarifies that the restaurant does indeed have a bar food menu."

Neutral
Jul 15, 2026View Comment →

From post: Polo Bar Solo Tonight At 6pm What Are My Chances

"Previously believed they did not serve food at the bar, though others corrected this."

Neutral
Jul 14, 2026View Comment →

From post: Polo Bar Solo Tonight At 6pm What Are My Chances

"Expresses that the restaurant is overrated and not worth the effort."

Negative
Jul 14, 2026View Comment →

From post: Polo Bar Solo Tonight At 6pm What Are My Chances

"States that the restaurant does not accept walk-ins."

Neutral
Jul 14, 2026View Comment →

From post: Polo Bar Solo Tonight At 6pm What Are My Chances

"Reiterates the need to call the restaurant to clarify reservation policies."

Neutral
Jul 14, 2026View Comment →

From post: Polo Bar Solo Tonight At 6pm What Are My Chances

"Confirms that the restaurant takes reservations for the bar."

Neutral
Jul 14, 2026View Comment →

From post: Polo Bar Solo Tonight At 6pm What Are My Chances

"Suggests calling right before opening to check for cancellations as there is essentially no chance of a walk-in."

Negative
Jul 14, 2026View Comment →

From post: Polo Bar Solo Tonight At 6pm What Are My Chances

"Asserts the restaurant does not take walk-ins."

Neutral
Jul 14, 2026View Comment →

From post: Polo Bar Solo Tonight At 6pm What Are My Chances

"The user believes the chances of getting a bar seat at Polo Bar without a wait are very low."

Negative
Jul 14, 2026View Comment →

From post: I Get Approached By Animal Activists Polo Monkey

"The user responded to a comment about attire at Polo Bar, stating they were wearing Rick Owens."

Neutral
Jun 27, 2026View Comment →

From post: I Get Approached By Animal Activists Polo Monkey

"The user noted that the staff at Polo Bar were excellent, and their waiter had a very comforting voice."

Positive
Jun 27, 2026View Comment →

From post: I Get Approached By Animal Activists Polo Monkey

"Another user found the food at Polo Bar to be mediocre but praised the service."

Neutral
Jun 27, 2026View Comment →

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