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MONKEY BAR

Updated

Phone: (212) 404-0365

Address: 60 EAST 54 STREET 10022

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TLDR

A glamorous, old-school haunt featuring iconic murals and a menu of elevated American comfort food, perfect for a cinematic New York experience.

Reddit Sentiment for MONKEY BAR(based on 494 Reddit opinions)

53% Positive35% Neutral11% Negative

Reddit Sentiment Over Time

Unique Posts Over Time

Achievements and Accolades

Achievement logo
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Tags

american 103chinese 5steakhouse 4burger 67steak 14crab rangoon 14View All

Neighborhoods

Midtown

Instagram Posts References

The post highlights the excellent lighting at Monkey Bar, suggesting it's a great spot for photos. The author found the lighting so good that no filter was needed.

Monkey Bar is noted for its difficult-to-obtain reservations, which are released on Resy around 20-21 days in advance at 9 AM. The post specifically mentions that dinner reservations are extremely difficult to secure, especially on weekends, and gives it a rating of 9.5/10.

This restaurant is recommended for its burgers, specifically mentioning a 'burger so confident it has just cheese and a raw onion on it.' This suggests a classic, no-frills burger experience.

This restaurant is recommended for pre-theater dining. The image shows a pasta dish with asparagus, suggesting a suitable meal before a show.

Monkey Bar in Midtown is recognized for its distinctive and whimsical mural that covers the walls, depicting circus-like figures and animals. This unique artwork creates a lively and memorable atmosphere.

Monkey Bar is highlighted as a classic New York restaurant known for its exceptional vibe, food, and service. The dining experience began with highly recommended espresso martinis and continued with an unforgettable truffle monkey bread. Main courses included a Wagyu burger with French fries and vodka rigatoni. The meal concluded with an elaborate sundae featuring three ice cream flavors and a variety of toppings, especially for a birthday celebration. The overall impression of the restaurant was extremely positive, with the entire experience rated 10/10.

A classic New York institution in Midtown East, Monkey Bar is recognized for its elegant, old-school charm and refined American comfort food. It features a lively bar scene and a sophisticated dining room, making tables challenging to obtain.

Monkey Bar is a glamorous Midtown establishment recognized for its classic cocktails and as a frequent spot for celebrity sightings, including Taylor Swift, who dined here with Selena Gomez.

Monkey Bar is highlighted for its Wagyu Cheeseburger, which is generally well-regarded by the reviewer. While it is acknowledged as a good burger, it's mentioned that it doesn't quite meet the exceptionally high standards set by its sister establishments, 4 Charles and Au Cheval. However, the burger is still officially verified as one of the best in NYC and is the recommended burger choice on Monkey Bar's menu.

Monkey Bar has been revived with a renewed flair. Despite its busyness, it's notably more accessible than many other establishments on this exclusive list, offering a classic NYC atmosphere with room for guests to relax.

Other Article Mentions

Lists, round-ups, and guides where this restaurant is featured.

Mentioned In
New York's Ultimate Cheat Sheet for Getting Into the City's Most In-Demand Restaurants
positive

Monkey Bar, a revived swanky Midtown spot, now managed by the group behind 4 Charles Prime Rib, offers an extravagant menu of steaks, pastas, and classic cocktails. Walk-ins are accepted at the bar.

infatuation • Jun 22, 2026
Read More →
Resy
Mentioned In
The Best Old School Restaurants In New York City
lean positive

Step back in time at Monkey Bar, a 1936 institution known for its iconic monkey murals and a kitchen now run by the team behind Au Cheval. Don't miss the prime rib or shrimp cocktail.

Siobhan Reid • Jun 18, 2026
Read More →
Resy
Mentioned In
Somssi, From the Team Behind Atoboy and Atomix, Reinvents the Classic Bistro

Monkey Bar in Midtown East serves American cuisine with a $$$ price point.

Various Authors • Jun 5, 2026
Read More →
Resy
Mentioned In
Somssi, From the Team Behind Atoboy and Atomix, Reinvents the Classic Bistro

Monkey Bar in Midtown East serves American cuisine at a $$$ price point.

Resy Staff • Jun 5, 2026
Read More →
Resy
Mentioned In
Take Us Out to the Ball Game: Yankee Stadium's Best Food and Drinks
neutral

Celebrity chef Bobby Flay's Bobby's Burgers offers classic American burgers, including a veggie option, with sides and milkshakes.

• Date unknown
Read More →
Eater
Mentioned In
The 38 Best Places To Eat Lunch In Midtown
positive

Noah Devereaux suggests visiting Monkey Bar at lunch for easier reservations, describing its old-school New York haunt atmosphere and menu highlights like miso black cod and vodka rigatoni, though recommending the burger.

Will Hartman • Date unknown
Read More →
Infatuation

Details

Known for its transporting, old-school New York atmosphere [11, 62], this Midtown institution serves refined American comfort food that earns frequent praise for its indulgence [4, 107]. While some diners consider it a worthy splurge [107], others feel it is over-hyped compared to similar classic establishments [106, 126]. Reservations are notoriously difficult to secure, though many consider the struggle worth it for the signature vibe [13, 80, 114].

Food Overview

The menu focuses on elevated American classics; the truffle monkey bread, French Dip, and decadent desserts like chocolate pie and carrot cake are consistently highlighted as standouts [51, 80, 107]. While the burger is a popular choice, it draws mixed reviews, with some diners finding it inferior to versions at nearby competitors [41, 107, 126].

Highlights / Recommended

Mentioned Dishes:

  • •burger(49)
    The burger is frequently mentioned, with opinions divided. Some find it excellen...
  • •french dip(17)
    The French dip receives strong recommendations, with some calling it potentially...
  • •truffle monkey bread(16)
    The truffle monkey bread is a highly recommended and remarkable dish, described ...
  • •crab rangoon(15)
    The crab rangoon is highly praised by multiple reviewers, with some calling it t...
  • •caesar salad(14)
    The Caesar salad, including the whitefish variation, is consistently praised as ...
  • •chocolate pie(12)
    The chocolate pie is a standout dessert, described as expertly executed, perfect...
  • •carrot cake(7)
    The carrot cake is described as an absolutely unreal and divine dessert, generou...
  • •steak(6)
    The steak at Monkey Bar is highly rated and recommended for various occasions, t...
  • •tartare(5)
    The tartare appetizer is described as fantastic, delicious, and potentially the ...
  • •fries(5)
    The fries are noted as excellent and fantastic, especially with the aioli sauce....
  • •wagyu burger(5)
    The Wagyu burger is found to be great by some, but others felt it was too decade...
  • •martinis(4)
  • •wedge salad(4)
  • •lemon meringue pie(4)
  • •vodka rigatoni(4)
  • •creamed spinach(3)
  • •chocolate cake(3)
  • •prime rib(2)
  • •mushrooms(2)
  • •sides(2)
  • •desserts(2)
  • •crab cakes(2)
  • •mac and cheese(2)
  • •sundae(2)

Customer Sentiment

Patrons are generally enamored with the classic atmosphere and festive energy [11, 107], though many express frustration over the difficulty of securing reservations [13, 62, 114].

Reddit Opinions & Reviews

Top Reddit Posts About MONKEY BAR

Week around New York in review: Torrisi, Monkey Bar
A highly detailed, positive review of the dining experience, highlighting unique standout dishes like the whitefish Caesar salad and chocolate pie.
Monkey Bar walk in
A discussion on the reality of walking into the restaurant, including feedback on specific dishes like the crab rangoon and chocolate pie.

Recent Reddit Mentions

From post: What Burgers Should I Eat During A Week Off From

"Listed Monkey Bar as an upscale burger option."

Positive
Jun 29, 2026View Comment →

From post: What Burgers Should I Eat During A Week Off From

"Recommended Monkey Bar, noting it's easier to get to than 4 Charles and also suggesting the French dip."

Positive
Jun 29, 2026View Comment →

From post: Monkey Bar Nyc Reservation Lunch Or Dinner

"The commenter expresses a personal aversion to dining at any establishment with 'monkey' in its name."

Negative
Jun 29, 2026View Comment →

From post: I Get Approached By Animal Activists Polo Monkey

"One user expressed a negative opinion of Monkey Bar, calling it a "fleece job" with sub-standard food."

Negative
Jun 27, 2026View Comment →

From post: I Get Approached By Animal Activists Polo Monkey

"In response to a comment about Monkey Bar closing, the user provided photographic evidence that it is open."

Neutral
Jun 27, 2026View Comment →

From post: I Get Approached By Animal Activists Polo Monkey

"The user clarified that their fiancee was surprised by their dessert order at Monkey Bar but praised her drink recommendations."

Positive
Jun 27, 2026View Comment →

From post: I Get Approached By Animal Activists Polo Monkey

"The user found the food at Monkey Bar to be excellent, stating they would order the same dishes again."

Positive
Jun 27, 2026View Comment →

From post: I Get Approached By Animal Activists Polo Monkey

"A user mentioned that their fiancee works at Monkey Bar and that the food is delicious."

Positive
Jun 27, 2026View Comment →

From post: I Get Approached By Animal Activists Polo Monkey

"The user humorously responded to a question about ordering multiple desserts at Monkey Bar."

Neutral
Jun 27, 2026View Comment →

From post: I Get Approached By Animal Activists Polo Monkey

"A user questioned if ordering multiple desserts at Monkey Bar was excessive."

Neutral
Jun 27, 2026View Comment →

From post: Monkey Bar Nyc Reservation Lunch Or Dinner

"Due to the lack of windows at Monkey Bar NYC, the ambiance is largely consistent throughout the day. While dinner might be slightly calmer with fewer drink orders, it's generally not a loud setting."

Positive
Jun 26, 2026View Comment →

From post: Monkey Bar Nyc Reservation Lunch Or Dinner

"The commenter believes the vibe at Monkey Bar NYC is the same for lunch and dinner, as the dining room is always full and there's no natural light to distinguish the time of day."

Positive
Jun 26, 2026View Comment →

From post: Monkey Bar Nyc Reservation Lunch Or Dinner

"This commenter prefers the lunch experience at Monkey Bar NYC, noting that the bar can get quite busy at night."

Neutral
Jun 26, 2026View Comment →

From post: Monkey Bar Nyc Reservation Lunch Or Dinner

"The commenter states that Monkey Bar NYC is a great place regardless of the booking time and encourages the original poster to go and enjoy it."

Positive
Jun 26, 2026View Comment →

From post: Which Restaurants Recently Exceeded Your

"The user highlights the truffle monkey bread at Monkey Bar as exceptionally good."

Positive
Jun 24, 2026View Comment →

From post: Looking For A Good Prime Rib Spot In Manhattan

"The original poster expressed intent to try Monkey Bar based on the recommendation."

Positive
Jun 23, 2026View Comment →

From post: Looking For A Good Prime Rib Spot In Manhattan

"This user commented that the prime rib French dip at Monkey Bar looks fantastic."

Positive
Jun 23, 2026View Comment →

From post: Looking For A Good Prime Rib Spot In Manhattan

"This commenter recommended Monkey Bar for its great prime rib."

Positive
Jun 23, 2026View Comment →

From post: Top Trendyhigh Vibe Restaurant Around

"Monkey Bar was listed as one of several restaurant suggestions for a client dinner."

Neutral
Jun 16, 2026View Comment →

From post: Top Trendyhigh Vibe Restaurant Around

"The commenter used an emoji to recommend Monkey Bar for a client dinner."

Neutral
Jun 16, 2026View Comment →