Old-school NYC haunt w/ sexy vibes. Gr8 cocktails & burgers. Best desserts, French dip also tops. Resos tough but worth it.
Monkey Bar offers a classic New York experience with a glamorous, old-school vibe that patrons describe as a "sexy and cool" haunt with a "transporting atmosphere." The establishment is frequently recommended for its excellent cocktails, particularly martinis and espresso martinis, and a menu that includes highly praised dishes like the French Dip, Wagyu burger, crab rangoon, and standout desserts such as the carrot cake and chocolate pie. While many find the food and ambiance exceptional, some note that reservations can be difficult to secure, the bar area can be crowded, and certain dishes like the burger have received mixed reviews compared to sibling restaurants.
Monkey Bar is celebrated for its American cuisine with a classic, upscale feel. Standout dishes frequently mentioned include the French Dip, praised by multiple users as possibly the best they've ever had [1, 2], and the Wagyu burger, which is considered very good, though some find it less remarkable than burgers at sibling establishments [3]. The crab rangoons and appetizers like truffle monkey bread also receive strong recommendations [4, 5]. For dessert, the carrot cake and chocolate pie are consistently highlighted as divine and memorable [6, 7]. Some users noted that certain dishes, like the creamed spinach, can be overly seasoned with bleu cheese, and a few found the burger to be "criminally overrated" [8].
"The French Dip sandwich is frequently lauded as a must-order, with some users calling it the best they've ever had. The Wagyu burger is also highly recommended, as are the crab rangoons and standout desserts like the carrot cake and chocolate pie."
Overall, customer sentiment towards Monkey Bar is highly positive, with frequent praise for its unique ambiance, excellent cocktails, and standout dishes like the French Dip and carrot cake. Some minor criticisms include the burger's quality compared to sister restaurants and reservation difficulties.
Important Note
Reservations at Monkey Bar can be notoriously difficult to secure, especially for larger groups. Some patrons have found the bar area to be very crowded and noisy, which might detract from a relaxed dining experience. Additionally, while the restaurant is generally considered upscale, there are differing opinions on the value proposition, with some finding certain dishes, like the burger, overrated or the overall experience not worth the price.
"The original poster notes Monkey Bar no longer takes reservations but plans to join the waitlist."
Neutral"This commenter advises that reservations might be needed for Monkey Bar to avoid being turned away, as walk-ins are not guaranteed."
Neutral"Had a solo lunch at Monkey Bar and they comped a beer upon mentioning it was the user's birthday."
Positive"This commenter advises against Monkey Bar for an old-school steakhouse experience before a show, citing it's often crowded with limited bar seating, and suggests Gallagher's as a better alternative."
Negative"The original poster plans to walk into Monkey Bar for a classic old-school NY feel before a Broadway show."
Positive"The original poster mentioned Monkey Bar for drinks and apps as part of their itinerary."
Neutral"The French Dip from Monkey Bar is mentioned as a great beef option, noting it shares owners with Au Cheval."
Positive"This user recommended Monkey Bar as a good option but suggested Torrisi might be better for taking advantage of sunny weather due to Monkey Bar's dark interior. They also noted it might be hard to get into."
Neutral"This user mentioned 'Monkey Bar' in the context of carrot cake recommendations."
Neutral"This user mentioned Monkey Bar in the context of carrot cake."
Neutral"This commenter confirms that the burger at Monkey Bar is essentially the same as at 4 Charles, with only one minor difference."
Positive"This commenter notes that the burgers at Monkey Bar are similar to those at other Hogsalt locations, including those in Chicago."
Positive"This commenter recommends Monkey Bar."
Positive"This commenter found the burger at Monkey Bar exceptional on their one visit."
Positive"This commenter enjoyed the burger at Monkey Bar, noting it's from the same company as 4 Charles and Au Cheval and is a great bar overall."
Positive"User expressed appreciation for the reminder to visit Monkey Bar, a place they haven't been to in a long time."
Positive"User recommends Monkey Bar for its beef stroganoff, acknowledging it might not be a 'stuffy' option."
Positive"The French Dip at Monkey Bar is similar to the one at 4 Charles and Au Cheval."
Positive"This commenter agrees that Monkey Bar is great and also mentioned having sublime lobster scrambled eggs there previously."
Positive"Monkey Bar is recommended for its French Dip sandwich."
Positive
