Monday, September 2, 2013

Bar 515 Third Avenue

There is a group of bar/restaurants on Third Avenue between 34th and 35th Street on the East side of the Avenue...

Let's see if we find anything on this one... 

Well, well, well...big range of opinions here so I am running a lot of reviews!

Bar 515

3.0 star rating
98 reviews Rating Details
515 3rd Ave
(between 34th St & 35th St)
New York, NY 10016
Neighborhoods: Midtown East, Murray Hill
(212) 532-3300
Nearest Transit Station:
33 St. (4, 6, 6X)
Grand Central - 42 St. (7, 7X)
Grand Central - 42 St. (4, 5, 6, 6X)
Hours:
Mon-Fri 5 pm - 4 am
Sat-Sun 4 pm - 4 am
Good for Groups:
Yes
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Parking:
Street
Attire:
Casual
Price Range:
$$
Good for Kids:
No
Takes Reservations:
No
Delivery:
No
Take-out:
No
Waiter Service:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Wi-Fi:
Free
Good For:
Late Night
Music:
DJ
Best Nights:
Thu, Fri, Sat
Happy Hour:
Yes
Alcohol:
Full Bar
Smoking:
No
Coat Check:
No
Noise Level:
Average
Good For Dancing:
Yes
Ambience:
Casual
Has TV:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes
Patrick H. said: "First off when you step into this place you immediacy feel welcomed.  The decor and lighting fit perfectly into the great sports bar they are.  The food is way above average. The have great drink and food specials all week. Staff is…" read more »

Review Highlights   What's this?

  • "Great Happy Hour specials on drinks and apps." In 18 reviews
  • "...this place on Halloween night, when my friends were over Joshua Tree." In 12 reviews
  • "I like seeing music videos displayed and it made for so much fun..." In 9 reviews
Rating Distribution | Trend
Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Elites' | Facebook Friends'

98 reviews in English

  • Review from

    Manhattan, NY
    7/26/2013
    Better than expected

    We sat outside this bar on a walk after dinner on the way to another bar, so our experience was fleeting. Like a lot of bars in Murray Hill, 515 feels like a sports bar, post frat hang out. Unlike other bars on 3rd, we didn't feel overrun by donkeys and douches. Like other area bars, we stuck with the simple two ingredient drinks. Unlike other bars, the service was very attentive.  She never forgot about us even though most of her tables were inside. She even gave us popcorn, which was a perfect reason to stay for another drink and skip the next bar completely.

    Good job Bar 515.
  • Review from

    • 23 friends
    • 34 reviews
    Dumont, NJ
    7/10/2013 1 check-in here
    Just stopped in to check it out for a friend's birthday. They immediately caught my attention with their beer selection. Pretty good for a clubby looking place. They had a bunch of IPA's, which is always good, along with other things. I've never seen Chimay on tap before this place. Liquor wise, typical bar selections; gin and tonic, whiskey on the rocks, jager bombs, etc. etc.

    The decor looked like the fanciest dive bar I've ever been to lol. Lights, waterfall looking thing? I didn't really scope the place out for it's pretty lights and stuff, I was too busy drinking dranks. They had a DJ, who was pretty good, kinda loud though.

    The price for a drink wasn't absurd like other places in NY. The only thing I remember distinctively was their house beer. It's a pilsner and honestly, if I wanted Bud light, I'll order Bud light. The beer was very plain and ordinary, nothing that made me want more. Maybe it WAS Bud light with their cool tap on it just for shiggles, who knows. Besides that, good time, good drinks, good place.
  • Review from

    • 56 friends
    • 44 reviews
    Kaneohe, HI
    Updated - 5/25/2013 1 check-in here
    I feel the need to update my review on Bar 515. After taking a lengthy break from NYC, I have been longing to return to my favorite 'after work' spot in Murray Hill.  My buddies and I stopped by to watch our NHL teams play.

    First off I would like to congratulate Bar 515 on the newly renovated interior. It  always had a pleasant and welcoming appearance, but the most recent upgrades to the interior took me by surprise. All the furnishings as well as the bar had been upgraded which reveals a more welcoming and modernized appearance. It also appears that the Bose sound system and HD TV  projector screens have been upgraded to the most recent models. This was the biggest improvement in my opinion because I can spend a few hours at a time watching my teams play. I didn't count the number of screens but there is easily 15 screens throughout. You can watch multiple games at one time from anywhere you are seated.

    The bartender and waitress were tentative despite the large crowd size. My friends and I NEVER had to get the attention of our waitress for a refill on our drinks.  She magically seemed to appear right there every time one of us needed something.  Another reason why I love this place.

    The bartender Damian updated me on the many beers that are on tap as well as the rather large inventory of  bottled domestic and imported brews. I believe their endless list of beers is one of the reasons why many of my friends frequent this place.

    The menu has new options since I visited last. My hang-out crew consists of both vegetarians as well as carnivores.  I had the salmon that came with broccoli and cauliflower and a huge salad. My friends had an assortment of chicken wings, nachos and shrimp. I think we ordered everything on the menu that night including the salsa and tortilla chips between orders. I kinda wish that they would offer a more spicier salsa because I prefer my mouth to be on fire.  Our food was made and served without delay and the portions were surprisingly generous.

    I met a handful of new friends. It's good to be back  in NY and even better knowing that I have a place to unwind after work to catch a game. The menu never gets old and the service is on point.  Once again I had a great night  at Bar 515. See you guys soon!!
    Listed in: Best Happy Hour

    1 Previous Review: Show all »

    • 3/19/2009
      I frequent 515 quite often. I was first a fan of Joshua-Tree next door but got turned off due to a… Read more »
  • Review from

    • 100 friends
    • 269 reviews
    San Francisco, CA
    9/1/2013 1 photo
    Sangrias, margaritas, beer, & shots. Happy hour till 11pm. Loud music, and high top tables in the back to chillski.
    • Round of white sangrias
  • Review from

    • 4 friends
    • 11 reviews
    New York, NY
    8/11/2013 1 check-in here
    While the bar has a decent draft beer and booze selection, the bartender was rude and unaccommodating. I've only been here once but likely won't be back. I came (unwillingly) with a group of friends after a housewarming in Murray Hill. Honestly, the bar is just a typical Murray Hill bar - over-priced drinks ($7 for a well tequila shot, come on) and douchey clientele. It makes sense that the bartender would be the same.
  • Review from

    • 3 friends
    • 20 reviews
    Manhasset, NY
    7/31/2013
    Went in on a whim last night because of the outdoor seating. Ordered buffalo wings and the misses got a chicken pita. Beers were cheap due to happy hour still running (it was 9). I wasn't complaining. Both meals were pretty good and the service was okay. Inside was pretty nice, tons of TV's and this waterfall thing going on in the back. Wouldn't mind coming back for drinks sometime.
  • Review from

    • 30 friends
    • 28 reviews
    New York, NY
    7/10/2013 2 photos
    I went here on July 3 to grab an evening snack and drinks with friends. The bar was relatively empty and we had our pick of tables. We sat and watched a couple baseball games while playing small scale table drinking games and eating a few wings. Prices were very reasonable since it was a Wednesday night. The best part was probably that the AC was real comforting on a 90+ degree weather. However, I'm not sure how effective it is when the bar is more full. I would recommend it if you're looking to watch a sports game on a weeknight and grab a couple beers, but I can't speak to the rest of the week.
    • Potato Skins
    • Honey BBQ Wings with Ranch
  • Review from

    New York, NY
    3/26/2013 1 check-in here
    Urm... an OK bar in Murray Hill.
    I came here around 2am, went to the bathroom, and found a grown up lady (probably 30s or 40s) puking.There was a small dance floor with creepy people dancing.
    We managed to snag a table easily. I had a cider and left.
  • Review from

    • 4 friends
    • 8 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    3/29/2013 1 check-in here
    Went here with a small group to grab some happy hour drinks on a Friday evening. Was drawn in by the prospect of $5 lychee martinis for the girls and $3 beers for the guys.

    Got inside and it seemed like a good atmosphere. Unfortunately the waitress was too aggressive with getting us to order; she kept coming over to ask if we wanted more drinks before anyone had even had half a drink. And the lychee martinis were absolutely disgusting. Very sweet in an intolerable way. I thought it might just have been me but the other girls couldn't have more than a few sips either. We only stayed until the guys finished their beers and then left. Don't think I'll be coming here again for the martinis but if I ever want a cheap beer for happy hour (unlikely) I would give this place another shot.
  • Review from

    • 32 friends
    • 34 reviews
    Queens, NY
    12/13/2012
    Hit this place for a late Happy Hour last night for a friend's birthday. It was nice to be able to still get happy hour pricing later in the night, it went until 10 pm I think, and it was $3 domestic drafts, $4 for other beers, and $5 margaritas and sangria. I had the sangria -- it was pretty good, especially for $5. Oh and $3 Soco-Lime and Jager shots....which I only know because the birthday girl insisted on shots. Ugh.

    The ambiance was pretty chill here. Cool waterfall against the back wall, some lounge-y lighting, big booths for group seating. We fit 6 of us in one comfortably. The waitress was sweet and put up with us, even though we were a total pain-in-the-ass kind of group, taking forever to order. Wasn't even remotely crowded but then again it was a Wednesday at 8:00. Very laid back spot. Nice to just chill and enjoy some cheap drinks.

    Some other details: The food was alright, nothing special, although I did like the guacamole and pico de gallo. There are a lot of TVs around so I'd imagine this is a good spot to catch a game.

    Verdict? I'd come by again for cheap drinks since their happy hour is longer than most, but not my favorite spot in Murray Hill by any means. Fairly good spot though for what it is.
  • Review from

    • 27 friends
    • 11 reviews
    New York, NY
    4/11/2013
    Went here for happy hour on a Thursday... the atmosphere and food gave me "college town" vibes, but the DJ/music gave me "Las Vegas!"   Got a burger and it was big, so that was a plus... but really nothing special.  Overall not a bad spot, but definitely not a top choice.
  • Review from

    New York, NY
    2/18/2013 1 check-in here
    A bar that is lacking identity.

    A couple of friends and I recently stopped in here on a cold Saturday evening.  It was the only bar in "Fratty Hill" that didn't seem to be crowded.  The space is large, with a decent-size bar.  There are booths, high-tops, and tables all around.  In the back, there is an indoor waterfall.  They also have a ton of TVs.  We quickly found a place to sit considering there were only a handful of people in there.  We asked what beers they had and they offered Sam Adams Alpine Spring.  As a HUGE Sam Adams fan, I was thrilled.  Our beers were quickly brought to us by a waitress (who looked bored due to there being little to no business).  The music playing was the typical Today's Hits.  We kept looking around this large space and going, "This place lacks identity!"  Once we finished our beers, the check came and each beer was only $4.  $4 in Manhattan.  I will come here, identity crisis or not, if I can get a good beer for 4 bucks.
  • Review from

    • 36 friends
    • 310 reviews
    Manhattan, NY
    5/20/2012
    Ambiance is ok. I like the actual lounge itself. The waterfall is cute.

    average looking crowd, but probably still better than the other bars in the area like Joshua Tree and Mercury Bar

    bartenders kinda suck though - a lot of standing around when people like myself are waiting for a beer! wth?
  • Review from

    • 2 friends
    • 5 reviews
    ASTORIA, NY
    3/25/2013
    If I could give this place 0 stars I would.
    Bar 515, although not amazing was our Friday happy hour go to spot.
    My co-workers and I would drop thousands of dollars here....
    The music is average (they repeat the same songs all night long), but danceable and the drink specials are great!

    Last Friday a group of us went to 515 after another bar. The racist bouncer would not let my Asian friend in b/c he was "too drunk" (bs).  If too drunk means leaning on the wall while waiting for the bouncer to check our ids then he's guilty, but he wasn't even close to being drunk. This place should seriously reconsider who they hire at the doors, b/c first of all its not all that amazing to begin with....

    This place lost our service and a lot of money...
    Not worth your time unless you're really drunk and don't care about a crappy establishment.

No comments:

Post a Comment

Please leave a comment-- or suggestions, particularly of topics and places you'd like to see covered