Monkey Bar Reviews

Having read an online review of The Monkey Bar we thought we would try it out after our morning at the MoMA. The decor was great Art Deco - dark and cool for a hot summer day. The service was friendly and efficient. The menu seemed limited and there were no specials. The food was good. The luncheon crowd seemed to be largely business clientele. Glad we went for the retro atmosphere and vibe - I would recommend for a different experience.

The room is just wonderful. The lighting is superb. Mural is wonderful. No bad tables in the room, that I could see. Waiter was attentive and knowledgeable. But the chef has let them down. The food was just not very good. And the bartender went very light on the vodka in my martini. The place has a great NYC vibe. Bar up front was crowded. If only the food was much better....

We stopped in after reading other reviews. This restaurant/bar is a piece of history. The atmosphere and decor are truly old New York. The bar menu has old stlye cocktails with a new spin to them. Definitely worth a visit. Would have liked to try the restaurant but ran out if time!

This was a slight disappointment. The people and service was amazing. The cocktails also first rate. The room incredible. So we were so looking forward to the dinner. The food fell flat. First, the Truffle Monkey Bread. I can see why so many love it. Just wasn't our thing. The Caesar was simply not good. No garlic at all. The Crab Rangoon was the best of the starters but how good can that be? Our pasta was the Vodka Rigatoni and that was excellent. The Prime Rib French Dip that so many love was just ok for us. I thought the bread was overcooked and really had no taste. The deserts were also just ok. Wish I could say it was better. Our server was awesome, the place was amazing, but the food didn't have the same standard.

Monkey Bar in New York has always been one of those places that just feels special, and it still delivers. I used to go before Hogsalt took it over, and the best part is the vibe is still the same amazing ambiance that made it a classic in the first place. The difference now is the menu feels even more dialed in. The crab rangoons were ridiculously good and disappeared fast. The truffle monkey bread was insanely good, the kind of thing you order once and immediately start plotting how to get it again. We also did oysters and they were great, fresh and perfectly done. The NY strip was fantastic, cooked right and super satisfying. On top of all that, the service was incredible and attentive the whole time, which really seals it.

Each year when at the US Open I eat several times at the Monkey Bar. I always sit in the bar area rather than the dining room. I love the ambiance and the live music from the piano player. It's too bad Sinatra, Sammy Davis, Jr. and the Rat Pack are no longer with us to hang out. The food is good albeit a little pricey compared to other restaurants in the immediate area. I enjoy the hamburger and fries. Service has always been good.

If you want an "old world" place for drinks, this is your place. Great service with with personable bartenders and cocktail waitresses and the best humus I've ever tasted, Monkey Bar is the best.

Fantastic experience at Monkey Bar! I was visiting family and friends and we decided to try out Monkey Bar. Service was excellent (we were late and they were extremely kind and understanding)! Excellent sommelier, waiter service and the food was phenomenal! We had the Steak and frites, T bone steak and Wagyu Burger!! The puddings are huge and also phenomenal! Carrot cake is highly recommended!! Will definitely come back if visiting NYC again!

I was so looking to this restaurant but wasn’t impressed. Menu was limited. Ordered the fillet it was over cooked with just a meagre salad as a side. Service wasn’t attentive so I couldn’t hand it back. Room was stuffy. Would not return.

Service and ambiance were welcoming. The lasagna was so amazing that I cannot remember anything else I had. It was one of the best meals I have ever eaten. My daughter enjoyed her steak, but I would tell anyone, have the lasagna!!

We enjoyed a drink and snacks in the afternoon. The waitstaff in the bar are friendly and helpful. The atmosphere is relaxing after walking around NYC.

Enjoyed the Monkey Bar a couple of nights while staying at Hotel Elysee and would highly recommend it. Sean was our waiter and he made sure our martinis were so dirty and the cosmopolitans were icy. One night, we had not eaten dinner so we shared the warm homemade hummus with warm pita chips which was exceptional and a great accompaniment to our drinks. Great bar, exceptional service and their martinis were outstanding.

I made the reservation one month in advance as eating here was part of a surprise celebration for my sister in nyc. Our table was ready and we were seated at exactly the time of our reservation. I loved the ambiance as the restaurant had the feel of the 40's. The martinis were delicious and our entree's were well prepared and just the right portions.The smoked spaghetti was quite different and delicious as was the branding. A delicious dessert similar to a bread pudding came out with a birthday candle in it and 3 spoons for sharing. This restaurant provided the perfect ending for a 3 day trip to NYC!

There are no human interactions involved in trying to make a reservation. it's a horrendous customer experience. they don't answer the phone (so why have a phone number? no one wants to listen to an phone IVR system?) Go elsewhere.

We had a good evening here in the main dining room, which does have real atmosphere and felt pretty cool. Cocktails were great, service was good and food was good but not great for the prices charged. The wine was very pricey and our red wine was served slightly chilled which was a bit disappointing. We still had a lovely evening and we were pleased we went. It’s definitely worth a visit but be prepared for the prices.

From the moment you enter until you leave you know that you are in a great restaurant.The very good food (cotoleta, pasta, and the lemon tart bienisima). A very classy atmosphere and beautiful local decor.Price according to what it is to eat in Monkey and recommend it as one of the best in New York. Looking forward to come back and enjoy.............

I was greatly looking forward to having brunch at Monkey Bar, hidden away in The Hotel Elysee. Unfortunately, the feeling was apparently not mutual - and the issues started immediately upon arrival. The restaurant opens at 11:45am, so as you can imagine it was crowded yet when I checked in at 12:12pm for my 12:15pm reservation. After more than 15 minutes had passed, the lady who checked me in asked if I had checked in - that's never a good sign. Then it took another 10 minutes to be seated - ironically at the table closest to the check-in stand that had been open the entire time. Sadly, the service got worse from there, as it took forever to get menus - more than 55 minutes had passed before our party of two finally were able to place food orders. Servers would come to the table, say they would return in 2-3 minutes, and never be seen or heard from again. In total, it took us two hours and 55 minutes from our reservation time until we received the check. The food was good but not great, and I certainly won't be back given how discombobulated the front of the house was

We had a couple of drinks at Monkey Bar, it was nice but nothing exceptional. It is a decent place but there are some great, more professional, cocktail bars in the city.

Two of us had the duck and the other sea bass. Duck was good not great. We ordered a good bottle of wine - 2004 - that should have been decanted. Service was slow for the price.

We had dinner here with our niece and it was really good. The dining room is very well laid out and the murals on the walls are very good. The service was very attentive without being intrusive and the food was really good. Happy to recommend to others. Location for us was fantastic.

the food is not good. the ambien is nothing to talk about.the price is expensive. going through the fuss about making the reservation wasn't worthed at all. I thought, I was going there for a threat and that was not the case.

Wellfleet oysters, gruyere grilled cheese with tomato bisque & burger with fries (compote of onions & peppers complimentary) was what we had for lunch, today. Plus, Dewars on the rocks. Everything was delish. The interior is cozy & intimate with jazz playing in the background. Our server/bartender was excellent. Another memorable meal in NYC.

Really neat decor and "interesting" wait staff! The food was good, but of course expensive, as were the cocktails. A great place to go with a group.

The Monkey Bar was an interesting place to visit - very cool decor; great service. But the actual food left a bit to be desired. Probably somewhere to go for an informal lunch rather than a ‘flash’ dinner.

The food was somehow average and uninspiring. The interior suggest high class restaurant, but atmosphere is more of mid-level after work place. The service was inattentive.

So not worth the hype. Empty tables, rude staff telling people that the tables are booked as they sit empty for an hour ... average food and over-priced. The burger is fine but no better than anywhere else. This spot needs a reality check on service / value. Past its prime ...

We had a short time before heading to a late show and this was the perfect spot for a light dinner, drinks and lively atmosphere. The full menu looked delicious and the dining room in the back appeared full...the bar was at capacity, but it was still comfortable and we managed to grab a small table near the piano (complete with piano player wearing a classic straw hat.)

We stumbled into the monkey bar at the end of a long day of touring. All we wanted was a fast meal and since this was attached to our hotel we thought we would give it a try. This turned out to be a wonderful meal. My wife and I shared the pork chop and the smoked spaghetti we started with a wedge salad The service was excellent, the food came hot, and we had an extremely pleasant dinner. I would highly recommend this restaurant for just the quality and service of the food, but the music and ambience really adds to the evening.

Spectacular Ed Sorel mural is mere appetizer of dining room’s over-the-top charms. With six friends who like to critique, praise and share bites, we had the opportunity to sample amazing cocktails (Bandito, brilliant Caesars), imaginative takes on “standard” openers (Oysters from Maine, wedge salads), and hearty but nuanced mains (Berkshire Pork Chop, Pappardelle Mushroom). Lively atmosphere, attentive service, and the fun of that mural! Yes, it’s pricey...some experiences are worth every $.

This is a great spot for a casual dinner or a romantic outing. Ask your server for recommendations… that’s what we did and she knocked it out the park! Beautiful decor. I’ve already made additional reservations!

Around since 1936, in the Midtown Elysia Hotel, the split personality Monkey Bar is poised to serve, on one side American cuisine, while on the other side, it is a Steakhouse. The property is as vintage as it gets: the lighting is subdued, walls are adorned with murals (lots of monkeys.....but none jumping on the tables). The palette is deep red with polished dark wood, cutie pie table lamps, red banquettes and heavy duty table-clothes. With a fine reputation, the menu outlines delicacies like Crab Rangoon, Crab Cakes, Shrimp Scampi and a stash of meatier items. The stars of the food catalog are the steaks and I dove into a Wagyu Prime Rib (a stunner) with an 'off the charts ' French Dip. The Monkey has a robust drinking program with a huge wine list and a strong cocktail repertoire. This place scores a hat trick on the restaurant front with welcoming decor, exceptional service with waiters dressed like they were going to the prom and satisfying food............a slam dunk eating experience.

I visited Monkey Bar recently and had some good drinks as always. I feel like this gem stays off the tourist junket, and personally I'd like it to stay that way - although I will add I tend to have the best time with regularly visiting nonresident local types like myself. So interesting, the bar is small and cozy enough that one often ends up speaking to nearby revelers - I am from Atlanta and talked at length with couples from Memphis and Nashville on last visit! The pianist last Saturday was excellent, I must say. And a recurring highlight is Eddie, who's been tending bar every Saturday I have visited over the past year or so. He tackles his role with GREAT verve and strikes me as a larger-than-life character. Never a bad thing to have someone who looks like a movie star shaking the ice and liquids for ya! And did I mention, Irish?!

We arrived hungry and decided to eat right at the hotel in The Monkey Bar. They were very busy and we had no reservation (make one before you go) but they were very accommodating and found us a great table in the window of the bar. Food and service were excellent. I had the hamburger and it was cooked exactly as I like it. My wife had a delicious smoked salmon dish. Once, we arrived back to the hotel just as they were closing. Rather than refusing to seat us, they offered us a limited menu and we left pleased and satisfied. No wonder this is such a popular place!

We really enjoyed monkey bar. Intimate setting. Food was excellent and service exceptional. The cheeseburger was 10/10. Not cheap for family but everything is expensive in nyc! Make sure you book!

Stopped in for lunch. Love the atmosphere ! Professional wait staff, what a pleasure. We all loved the crab cakes,no filler & the perfect sized side salad. It is not a cheap place to dine.But,the portions & excellent food make up for that.

Very busy and in a great location, dark and moody with a fantastic atmosphere. Very good martinis and service. Great place for a treat but pricey. Crab cakes were excellent

We ate here many years ago, and although it was good, it was not on the radar screen during more recent trips to NYC. Recently we decided to re-visit the restaurant and were very pleased that all of us had absolutely delicious dinners. (For some reason, better than we all had remembered).

Classy place inside Hotel Elysse. Service was ok. Food was ok, I had burger & beer. My wife enjoyed a salad.

Had a lovely experience - great food - ambiance - lovely service - splurged on the Wagyu beef - perfectly cooked - expensive - easily split between two of us - mashed potatoes - insanely good - wedge salad - crazy good too - and…the carrot cake - massive - delicious - I’ve heard the chocolate cream pie is to worship - will try that another time - our waiter went way beyond in helping us find the perfect cocktail -

Had an amazing night at Monkey Bar. The vibe is classic NYC: moody, stylish, and full of character. Food was fantastic (highly recommend the steak tartare), and the cocktails were top notch. Service was warm and on point. Perfect spot for a date or a classy night out. Will definitely be back.

A real hidden gem mid town. I stayed just round the corner and tripped over this place by chance. Bar in the front, restaurant out back. Theme/decor of old town trad jazz. Great atmosphere. We eat in restaurant - delicious. Service fantastic. Highly recommend if in the area.

I wanted to love the monkey bar I really did! Was so excited to secure this hard to get reservation and the vibe is stunning. Sadly it was the worse service EVER in the city by our server Quave S. He took our orders after waiting about 15 min and he never acknowledged us again until dessert- no filling our drinks, no second drink orders, no checking on the food nothing. We were a table of 6 in a small cramped booth- more the size table for 3 people honestly… so I’m not sure if he knew he was getting a guaranteed $200 tip on our $1000 food bill because I saw him taking care of other smaller tables near us. He really ruined the night. Burger and fries the stand outs. Other food just ok for the hype and price. Waste of money and we left upset for my husband’s birthday dinner. Management looked busy doing not sure what because they never checked in either. Water boy Matteo actually helped me get a second glass of wine.

Had drinks at the bar, there are bar tables also, small selection of wines by the glass at the bar. Seated in the restaurant a booth, very nice. Food was good, ladies had halibut, very good, I had chicken, ok. Nice place to have dinner and drinks located in Midtown near Madison.

Bar next to a small mid town hotel. Bar area crowded and noisy but not oppressively so. Quite fun, youngish atmosphere. First come first served so an idea to get there soon after 6 if you want to sit down. Good range of not overly priced drinks and cocktails. I sat in adjacent restaurant where waiters happy to serve us drinks. Closed at lunch during weekend.

Went in on impulse as we were walking by on a cold and windy Saturday afternoon. Great place, easy to talk to each other without having to yell, not still lively and happening. Love the monkeys everywhere, the black & white TV, and the interestng retro/current vibe. Drinks were good, the burger was perfect (admittedly, I was hungry), and I enjoyed my spur-of-the-moment visit

Such.a.great.night! Food was fab and so was the staff. Such a cool scene. I like the main dining room but also loved the little bar upfront for more casual vibes. We got there late but the made room for us.

This is an old established, once favored by the elite. The room is beautiful, but the food is average, not exceptional. We were there for a pre theater dinner, so we just tried to order dinner that did not take longer than one hour so we could get to Broadway. Perhaps if we'd had more time we could have had something scrumptious. The shrimp cocktail was good, but the crab cakes were over peppered.

As we stayed at the Elysee Hotel we used this bar often.Not just because you could access from the hotel,but because it just had a great feel about it.Cosy atmosphere,good bar-staff and a good bar menu.Just enjoyed sitting in their and having a drink. Beware closed Sundays.

Felt like a private room. Great brocollini. Healthy salad. Very amiable service. Easy for conversation. Open space. Good acoustics for conversation. A new favorite

Not gonna lie, one of the best all around experiences I've ever had in New York. The staff is superb, the food is amazing, the ambience is old Hollywood glamour. We loved every thing about it. The monkey bread to start is out of this world. We enjoyed it all! This will become one of my new restaurants to book when in the city.

hustle bustle trendy and vibe. Nice decor in back room. Food was very good. Waiter friendly and patient. burger and prime rib sandwich were good, So was potato pancake and fish. smart casual dress, make reservation as asap when available. fun time. Fun artwork too.

Had a drink at the bar before we went to dinner. Very nostalgic only wish the nuts at the bar could have been on the house.

Let's admit it, the immediate attraction to Monkey Bar would be the fact that it's been there since 1936. And what's more amazing is that they serve real good food that come in properly sized portions. We had tried the food 2 ways: restaurant dining and room service to the adjacent hotel. In the restaurant of course you get to appreciate the ambiance, the subtle music, the eye catching mural, and excellent cocktails (took the recommendation of the house for Moscow Mule, it was splendid). We had the crab cake, their signature burger, and pork chop. All excellent! And which is why we ended up getting room service for 2 more days, where we had tried the roasted chicken, smoked spaghetti, and salmon. The smoked spaghetti, which we've ordered twice during our stay, is highly recommended.

Would give this a 0 if I could! Hostess needs a lesson in how a business works. Tables free for over an hour - while we waited in the ‘queue’. Not good for visitors to the city. Tourists avoid at all costs!!!!!

My friend and I had lunch here on a couple of occasions and the service was outstanding. The food was delicious. And the atmosphere is amazing.

great food and service and journey back 60 years ago. wall mural is really neat im sure many a movie been filmed . was the home of 1930s talluah bankhead quite a character

Meet old friends here for dinner on recent trip to the city. What a fascinating little place this proved to be. Top notch menu and service. The food was wonderful. Would recommend a reservation as it is rather small venue. We also were pleasantly surprised that on a Monday evening the piano player serenaded us through dinner. Ask about how this place was named....one of the gems of the city, that is for certain!

Had nice cocktails and dinner. Monkey bread served to each table at arrival. Our 3 pieces of Monkey Bread were quite stale and inedible. Then...more bread! Appetizer was the daily special of pork pate, very good but served only with toast points. Crackers would have been welcome. Lots of bread. Very good service. Recommend.

I had big expectations about the restaurant but I didn’t find anything special. The decor is nice, the food is expensive and not worthy, very small portions and either very spicy or tasteless. We had fish and pastas. Service was good.

Was really looking forward to eating at the Monkey Bar. Service was good, but food was just ok. I really struggled to pick anything from the menu and I was hungry.

Classic jazz age ambiance, with very good food, food service and great ambiance, Great place to dine to capture classic New York dining,

Just went to get a couple of small dishes prior to theater. Seated in the back away from the noisy bar. Crab cakes seemed made on premises and good; smoked spagetti was an unusual dish but very tasty. Prices are a bit high for the area. Server was a bit haughty....guess he expected a big dinner, and resulting big tip. Neither happened (attitude issue).

Great speak easy ambience. Food was just what they said. Get service then we headed to piano bar for coffee. Casual but upscale ambience and attire

We ate here because all the streets were blocked off due to the United Nations opening sessions. My wife ordered the strip steak. Frankly for $54 we expected a lot better. I’ve tasted it and I’ve had better strip steak at Outback and Longhorn for half the price. The best part of the meal was the dessert, a chocolate hazelnut tart. Would I return? Probably not.

The restaurant itself is quite beautiful! My friend and I entered through the bar area and were escorted to the dining room. Decor was lovely and the setting is very comfortable. Wait staff came over immediately with menus. We did not order a drink. My friend and I ordered from the restaurant week menu. Rolls were brought to our table-I would suggest skipping eating them. selections were limited with three selections for appetizers and three for main entrees. My companion ordered the gazpacho soup and lamb pita. I ordered the tomato and mozzarella salad and the grilled salmon. My friend did not care for the soup but the lamb pita with French fries was tasty. My appetizer was small but flavorful. The salmon with spinach was very good. I would consider going back and trying their regular menu. Wait staff was efficient.

It is very unfortunate that I have to leave this review for one of our favorite iconic New York restaurants. My wife and I had reservations for our anniversary brunch at 2:30pm. The food was on point as usual. When we received our bill we noticed that the charge for the dirty martini was for a double shot at $32. I politely brought this to our servers attention by mentioning that we did not order a double shot in my wife’s martini which did not taste like a double shot to begin with. The server politely told us that she will be right back. We were waiting for a good ten minutes assuming she will return with an adjusted bill. This is when everything turned for the worst. Instead of our server we were approached by the lady named Shelly who stated that she was the manager. Right from the start instead of apprising for miss communication her first words were in a very aggressive manner “let me explain something to you!” And with her finger started forcefully pointing at the menu that all martinis have a 3 oz pour. While thinking to myself why this was not explained to me while I was placing my order, I’ve decided not to indulge in her aggressive attitude. I said let me get the bill please. Without any hesitation or offer of apology she threw the bill book on the table and left. This experience was a complete opposite of hospitals expected from a restaurant of this scale. Our experience was completely ruined, we felt completely disrespected. Upon paying our bill before leaving we came up to Shelly to ask if the general manager is on site, and she responded with the same aggressive tone “NO!” While pointing in the direction of the host. It is so unfortunate that due to a complete lack of hospitality from the manager Shelly and complete disregard to simple customer service, we will not be coming back. Just a terrible experience.

We had a great experience this time because we got there at 3:30pm and were able to get a nice table at the bar, hear each other speak, order great bar food and not feel crowded and smooshed, like it was when we left at 5:00pm.

We had the best time at this wonderful restaurant which has an unmistakable NYC vibe. It was so peaceful and we were treated to excellent and very helpful service. Great wine selection and we will long remember the excellent halibut we fully enjoyed. Can't wait to go back when we are back in the city.

I didn’t enjoy the food and wouldn’t return. The lobster bisque was ok, kind of bland. The rolls were warm but hard. The entree wasn’t that tasty. The wait staff was acceptable, but not impressive. Overall, it was meh.

Hostess not friendly. Waiter same. Served dinner rolls that were hard/stale but warm like they were microwaved. $30 hamburger would be rejected at McDonalds. Nicely furnished room.

Tough place to get reservations but well worth it. This was my second time back since re-opening and the place is hopping. The food remains superb and the service excellent. A lot of choices on the menu. I've had steaks, seafood and salads since reopening and all have been impressive.

One of my favorite places in NY, everything is very good, the cocktails, the food, the wine selection, the service and the atmosphere. I will definitely be back soon.

This restaurant was conveniently attached to the Hotel Elysee where I was staying with my Mom. The atmosphere is very nice, and our waiter was excellent. Very attentive. The meal comes with fresh rolls served with soft butter, very good. We had the appetizer special, a beet salad. I enjoyed the salad, my Mom felt the dressing was bland. Mom had a $17 glass of wine which was very expensive especially when it wasn't a decent pour. I had the Colorado Lamb served with polenta. The chops were perfectly cooked, but the polenta was bland. Mom had the duck. The duck was tender but the skin was not crisp, and she wasn't keen on the Asian sauce. The sticky toffee pudding was warm and served with ice cream, yummy! The meal was definitely too expensive for the food and drink we received.

SO freakin cool! Amazing place, with excellent service and food. There is scaffolding outside right now, so it's not all that easy to find... particularly if you're walking on the north side of 54th Hahaha! The decor is seriously cool! DEFINITELY going back next time!!

So disappointed. Was going to take my fellow associates for lunch until I noticed a $2.50 per person reservation fee. Phone reservations are not available - I tried. I can assure you that what this establishment lost in revenue from my business lunch far exceeded the nickel & diming reservation fee. In the scheme of things, this fee is nothing compared to the cost of dining here, however I refuse to pay for simply making a reservation. This is where I draw the line. I have enjoyed lunch here in the past, but will continue to take my 2x weekly business lunches elsewhere where no reservation fees are charged.

We stayed at Hotel Elysee, and finished our days with drinks at the Monkey Bar whenever possible! Great service, and wonderful vibe with the Pianist, that is a rare find these days!

The Monkey Bar has been on my list to check out for a while. We were able to get a lunch reservation for Christmas Day. The atmosphere is classic jazz age, beautiful murals and red booths. But overall the food and service are uninspiring. Not a large selection for vegetarians or pescatarians. Maybe brunch would have been better choice.

I have to share my disgust!!!!! I waited until exactly 9 am to make reservations!!!!!! I found the right time I needed, when I tried to pay for it the system showed that the spot was taken. All spots were taken!!!!! 5 seconds after 9 am!!!!! Seriously!!!???? What kind of ——- is this??? When you click on a certain time, it should be reserved for the next minute at least for a customer to pay for it!!! Not even 5 seconds!!! Good luck making reservations! Seems that the system is rigged. May be the restaurant reserves for some chosen people ??? Good for thought!!

We always visit this restaurant when in New York. Staff so friendly, excellent cocktails and seriously good food. I had the lobster bisque and it really was so very good. The halibut was stunning and the NY strip was very good. Sticky toffee pudding was to die for…. Throughout the meal we were served by our waiter – Andrew I think his name was and he was very slick and attentive. We’ll be back!!!! Definitely try this restaurant if you like good food and excellent cocktails.

Everything was great, from the food and cocktails, to the ambiance and the service. It was all delicious, but particularly good was the Truffle Monkey Bread, the Prime Rib French Dip and the Carrot Cake.

it's an experience. The history is on the walls, well preserved the place is spotlessly clean. Food and wine choices excellent, it's not big in the front room, so yes go early like I did.

What a cool restaurant. The design is really great, and the food delicious. We truly enjoyed our dinner here, and can highly recommend it.

Went with some friends, it was not a good experience overall. I got there a few minutes early, as many other restaurants in NYC they don't sit you until the whole group is there. They also limit the use of the table to 1.5 hours. So i get there and the bar is packed, there is no place to wait so i have to stand next to a door where servers come and go, staying alert the whole time not to move and accidentally hit or push a waiter. My friends get there on time. It was 6 of us and they sat us on a booth that could fit 4 comfortably, 5 tight... imagine 6! Obviously they had no other tables available to move us so that was that. Service was bad, with servers being pushy and rude, rushing us to order quickly. Once our order was in we had to ask 4 different waiters to finally get our drinks. After getting the food there never was another waiter nearby so good luck if you need anything else after your food is served. Did i mention the prices are outrageously high? Well, you get the idea... never again.

If you are staying at the Elysee, you must dine at the Monkey Bar! It is a classic, New York restaurant with old-school decor and excellent service. The whiskey sours are exceptional, a great way to start off a wonderful meal. It offers a varied menu, and you can't go wrong.

Very difficult to book but worth it. My Wife's Truffle Pasta the best she has had in the USA. Service very friendly and excellent. My Rib of Beef a must.

Following a friend’s recommendation, we had lunch at the Monkey Bar, it was a very good experience, with wonderful drinks and the food was excellent though a little pricey. The staff was very helpful, like our server Sergio who was very nice.

On a recent Saturday night, perhaps emptied out by any theatre-goers, the Monkey Bar was practically empty, its circular red banquettes even more stunning when vacated. Personally, a quiet romantic dinner was better than any crowded Manhattan hot-spot, and the comfort of the legendary Monkey Bar was as much in its history as its enduring way of surviving. Key to that survival is its one-two punch of delicious fare (classics with unexpectedly tasty twists) and super-friendly service. The former was found in the Monkey Bar burger, with its trio of Monterey jack cheese, stewed peppers and magical aioli - while the latter was courtesy of an attentive but not overbearing server. A clever cadre of cocktail offerings was a pleasant reminder that the bar may be one of the primary draws of this establishment, but it would be a grave error to omit trying the entrees on the menu. The smoked spaghetti dish is one of the more famous dishes, but I'll have to save that for our next visit.

I love Monkey Bar. Through the years, it's a reliable gathering place and standby in midtown. Wonderful for drinks, burgers and cocktails with an upscale ambiance and smart, put-together professional crowd that shows up after office hours and stays a few hours. Always mobbed for happy hour, the dinner crowd is split between the casual Monkey Bar, (if you can land a table or booth) while some spill into the adjoining dining room of the Hotel Elessye. The ambiance here is reminiscent of Bemmelmans Bar at the Carlyle Hotel, only more casual. The artwork on the walls is similar a only with a monkey/ exotic animal theme. The music is light and jazzy -- all of which adds up to a casual sophistication that's harder and harder to find today. Ladies who frequent here get a VIP card offering 50% off drinks.

It had been at least five years since I dined at the monkey bar. I always loved the menu, the quality of the food, the handsome staff, the lighting and the ambience of this place. Walking in with a dear friend tonight brought back a lot of memories and everything was as great as I remembered.sorry it got out of my mind for a while and I didn’t frequent it but now I’ll be back soon!

This is an under utilized location that had a big name decades ago. It is a power lunch spot that you can always get a table at and arguably some of the best food you scan find around. Had the lobster bisque followed by the halibut which was incredible.....really. Enjoy the decor and the murals of all the famous customers over the years. Great place.

We came here for dinner and sadly, because it was the 4th of July weekend, the main dinning area was closed off and we had to sit in the bar area. The food came out fast and tasted terrific. Our server was very nice and attentive. The atmosphere was excellent. I really wish we could have sat in the main dinning area, but other than that this restaurant really hit the spot!

My husband and I had a night out together without our son and went to the Monkey Bar. It was full on a Monday night, so we definitely recommend reservations. We thought the food was absolutely delicious, the wine list excellent and the service very attentive. The dining room is warm and welcoming. The murals featuring caricatures of famous people are fun. Overall, it was a really nice atmosphere. I thought the octopus appetizer was especially good, very tender. The wine steward's recommendation was incredible as well.

Went here on a Friday night; booked a table for two at 7pm and needed to push back an hour. They were fine and accommodated that without an issue. Despite the 8pm Friday booking it wasn't too busy; a fair few free tables. We shared the lobster bisque which was rich and creamy. I had the halibut which was excellent; perfected cooked, very flaky with a crisp top. The wine list is extensive with glasses from $17 and bottles up to $500; something for everyone although I did overhear the waiter at the next table who seemed a bit clueless. Now for the but... In a restaurant of this class and cost there was one very odd feature... paper tablecloths!! Paper. Tablecloths. PAPER. I'm paying $100-$200 per person and we have paper on the table. Please remove guys... we're adults. We know how to eat a $30 plate of food without making a mess. Otherwise, all spot on!

The Monkey Bar has the atmosphere of a fine New York spot from the 1950s. The lighting is warn and low, the rooms are nicely decorated in heavy, dark wood; the tables are good sized and comfortable. The feeling is not "hip", but "class". No one in jeans or sloppy shirts, so the feeling is well to do, but not snotty. The service is excellent and our waiter was particularly helpful and attentive. The food is quite good without being "cute". Many tasty items, all well prepared; and good sized portions. The prices are not modest, but for a midtown place of this type, not out of line. Our group found the cocktails to be particularly well made and generously proportioned. For those seeking a classic, stylish dinner (or lunch), without penny pinching, you will be well rewarded.

This place has a great atmosphere. We had arrived some 6 hours prior to visiting Monkey Bar for dinner. So a little jet-lagged, we were escorted through the extremely dark bar area, which was packed, into the main restaurant. Instantly we fell in love with the decor and lighting. I have a thing about lanterns/lights on a table anyway but each table having one really added to the overall ambience. The service was efficient and friendly. We ordered the crab wontons (you get like 12 as an appetiser) which were delicious and very filling. We followed that up with their famous cheeseburger (1 each) and shared a portion of fries (portion so large we couldn't finish it). The burger was outstanding and the fries were good too. All washed down with a bottle of Cote du Rhone ($60 odd dollars). NYC is expensive but this didn't feel too bad compared to some of the other places we ate. My only issue was that the meal felt a little rushed and the food came out too quickly. All in all, a great place to visit if you're lucky enough to get a reservation...

A fun place with great food, service and ambiance. On the expensive side but worth it since we were on vacation. Had the large Tiger Shrimp scampi split and broiled- yummy. A very comfortable restaurant where a conversation could be made and heard. The seating and atmosphere was great. Definitely recommend this restaurant located on E. 54th St., close to everything. The restaurant photos are entirely accurate.

Had a lovely dinner at the Grill and just wanted to have a last drink at a nice bar. Monkey bar was all but nice. Very quiet atmosphere and quite unfriendly bartender. Cocktails were average. Not recommended.

We had the burger and a salad and they were very good! Nice lunch spot! The service was good, everyone seemed to be ordering Arnold palmers so I’m assuming they must be known for them.

We came here as we were staying at the hotel Elysée upstairs and didn’t feel like walking too far. Well, aren’t we glad we did. We ordered 2 of their signature cocktails which were the best we’ve had while in the USA (strong and not too sweet). The food was PHENOMENAL! Every single bit was delicious. Our waiter (we didn’t catch his name) was a doll. Throw in all the history and the memories for sex and the city fans like me and all in all a great night.

Nicely decked out dining area. Friendly helpful service. Found the tables were a bit crowded together. The food was OK, was probably expecting a bit more at the prices, but overall a good experience and would return.

This is a classic old NYC bar. Great atmosphere. Excellent cocktails. It's got class in an old school way. Whenever we visit NYC its a stop for cocktails and appetizers. We had Southside Fizz Cocktails (Gin, Seltzer, Cucumber, Mint & Lime). We had the cheese plater. We enjoyed our drinks and snack. They have piano player.

I had heard that Monkey Bar is somewhere that one should eat when in upper Manhattan. My friend and I arrived for our “not super easy to come by” dinner reservation, and were not disappointed by the space! So unusual and inviting - beautifully lit with rich red leather booths. I was very excited for our dinner based on the location, and space alone. Although the food was quite good, I would say, for the most part that several of the dishes were quite old-school in their caloric content and heaviness? I did start with a deliciously light yellowtail crudo of sorts, but we also had the fish and chips, a truffle pasta dish, and potato pancakes. I realize those sound like heavy dishes, but I think we assumed that because the space was so modern, the food wouldn’t be that heavy? That it would be a modern and lighter “take” on heavy dishes? We clearly didn’t order the right items. I feel like the many upwardly mobile 30-somethings in the room knew better what to order, and we would do better next time. I do hope to return when we are in NY again. If only for that gorgeous space!

I was here in the afternoon/evening for drinks and small snacks. It was tasty and good, but not exceptional and naturally tended to be too expensive. But of course, that's New York. I was a little bothered by the extremely poor lighting, which turns out to be a challenge, especially when eating. Conclusion: Cool location, crowded, loud, expensive and (for my taste) too dark. Typical Midtown Manhattan.

The burgers are as good as the ones from Au Cheval and 4 Charles, which means they're one of the best in the city. We had the regular burger and the wagyu one, and while I didn't think there was much of a difference, my partner thought the wagyu ones were much juicier. Regardless they're both excellent. We ordered the potato pancakes and they were disappointing. They were a little dry and the oil used tasted a lot like the ones used by McDonald's - not good. I shouldn't be comparing this place to McD's. Good service and the ambiance is very much like an old speakeasy.

Great hidden Spot in Manhattan NYC, amazing service, great atmosphere and good food. A very unique place . It is a classic.

Visited prior to going to the Polo Bar. Had a few drinks including a great Gin Martini - good atmosphere and service with pianist later on. Part of a hotel of which I don’t know the name - all good really. Nothing totally special yet totally appropriate.

Holiday weekend with every tourist in New York (and us). Prime rib overdone and small for $100, mac& cheese great, French dip sandwich fine No comparison to its "sibling" 4 Charles. NYC has numerous very good - excellent steakhouses -- this is not one of them. Will not return (except for cocktails in the bar). What a shame -- this is a venerable NY establishment.

We had dinner in the bar area because we could not get reservations in the restaurant. The bar is perfection! The ambiance is 1930s, excellent music, excellent food, great service. Truly a perfect experience and exactly what I imagined for NYC!

Great place for lunch or drinks. Amazing burgers. Different areas to sit in. The bar gets really busy and is very lively. The restaurant section is quieter.

Ate here twice. Very impressed with the friendly and efficient service. All the food we had was delicious. Crab cake to share, sirloin steak for me and the special steak cooked in a wine sauce for my husband. We shared ice cream for pudding. We had cocktails and a nice bottle of wine. Second time I had the duck, cooked to perfection and my husband had the spaghetti. Obviously It is not the cheapest place to eat but well worth going there for a special meal. They are happy for you to share starter and pudding. We sat in one of the booths each time and would recommend reserving one. The wall decorations are unique as are the lamps which feature a small monkey at the base. Fun place to eat and enjoy the surroundings

Loved the bar and great service. Food and drink was quick and good and drinks were made with excellence. It’s a little loud, but it’s nyc!

$23 shrimp cocktail app was tiny. $28 steamed mussels were not flavorful in least and were the smallest portion I have ever received. Grilled crostini accompanying it was equally unflavorful. As was the $35 cobb salad. See where this is going? No idea why the fuss in the least.

Basicaly l hate earing in the hotels but this is very exceptional case. Atmosphere is unforgetable, food simply perfect, drinks and service awfully good, in a few moments you feel like at home as well as like in Elysee hotel. Monkey bar is a place to get back every time.

Came here for lunch Sunday—not sure why but it’s so hard to get reservations here but we got lucky! Got seated in a corner booth, was a bit snug and a bit too close to the other tables next to us. Ambiance here is pretty nice and has a fancy vibe! Service was good. For starters, we liked the King Crab Rangoons. For entrees, we got the 16oz. Dry-Aged New York Strip Steak and 10oz. Ribeye Steak—strip steak was a bit bland, ribeye was more well-flavored. Both came with choice of egg style and hash brown which is a perk during lunch! The Creamed Spinach was okay. For drinks, the Cucumber Martini was tasty.

No wonder this place ends up in movies and books. Absolutely delightful and good food and drinks, of course.

We had drinks and appetizers - next to the piano - truly excellent evening. Try the aviation cocktail and the oysters.

Have eaten here many times. Love the elegant atmosphere- 1920s New York. Tables are not crowded together, and it is easy to have a conversation. Service is always excellent. Food is good, but not quite as good as the atmosphere. A great overall dining experience.

Took a chance without having reservations. Waited for a while in the queue and eventually sat at the bar. Super fun experience. Drinks were great. Food was great. Bartender was fun and the night was complete with some celebrity appearances.

The Monkey Bar dates back to the mid-1930s, and has retained its classic look with ocartoon monkeys and monkey figures visible throughout the Bar. While we felt the bar area reminded us very much of similarly old-school restaurants like Musso and Frank's in Los Angeles, the bar remains a great place for well-made drinks and bar food. The Monkey Bar Burger, a staple of the bar menu, was worth the (Midtown) price.

Graydon Carter's The Monkey Bar suffers from the success of his other properties, specially the Waverly Inn. It is not that good. The bar upstairs has a totally different vibe from the downstairs restaurant, all red banquettes. We arrived too late and famished and couldn't go elsewhere but the first room. Had some very good comfort burgers and one of them in a gluten free bun. It place

They had Live music and our ciew was really nice . I really enjoyed the food and place . Highly recommend if you came to dubai

Monkey Bar has a great history as a gathering place for the prominent of NYC commerce, arts and politics, going back to the 1930's. This is emphasized by a marvelous, more recent, dining room mural by Edward Sorel, depicting many of those people. ID info is available online. I went for Restaurant Week. To their credit, they not only didn't hide he RW menu, as some places do, but they made it the only lunch menu. Our waiter was a bit standoffish, like being a waiter wasn't his real job, but he was helpful when asked. Food was first rate. I will go back (and that is what Restaurant Week is supposed to be about!).

We enjoyed a delicious meal and cocktails while listening to the piano. It wasn’t busy at all (eventhough it was Easter weekend). We’d booked (as it was suggested to do so- is still recommend that you do so that you don’t miss about). Great atmosphere, attentive service and a relaxed vibe.

Came here during restaurant week, has an old school feel to it, very classic. The mural is amazing and it was fun to look at all the monkey decor. The food was fantastic.

Have wanted to go here for a while ,so maybe had some expectations? We went for a booth in the bar, cozy. Ordered martinis..nice pour...and checked out the menu..lots to choose from I think. Decided on roast chicken and chop salad to share...but our waitress disappeared? Flagged down a different waiter who was not happy he had to cover for his co worker on a break. Can he take our order? Eye roll. Food was great service was not and its a bit loud. Dining room looked fun...maybe next time?

I’m quite surprised to see the recent mixed reviews – we came for the first time in early December and had a blast. The food, service, and ambience were all top tier. I would still rate 4 Charles over Monkey Bar, but the latter is still quite good. We shared the wedge salad and steak tartare and I got the French dip – both were excellent. The ambience was the real winner of the night – I felt like I was in a whole different era in NYC.

So thankful to score a reservation for lunch at The Monkey Bar. We had a lovely server and really enjoyed the cool 30’s theme along with the jazz music. My daughter ordered pasta and I had the prime rib French dip. So yummy!

Went there recently. The place is old, but does have a reminiscent feel to it, if that's what you want. The AC wasn't working great and they didn't even tell us until we sat down and ordered drinks. The food, while good, was WAY overpriced. There is simply no reason to overpay like this. What I found really an insult to injury was that the waiter did not offer to comp any of our bill for us suffering without AC for part of our meal.Would never go back.

We walked into the Monkey Bar without a reservation. We arrived at around 4:15 in the afternoon and late lunch early dinner. The hostess was so friendly and polite we waited about 5 mins and she sat us at a great table in the bar area. The place has a great vibe. Our waiter Aram was super friendly and attentive. He recommended some dishes to us since we have never eaten here before. We started with the Monkey Bread it was delicious. We also had the Crab Rangoon also fabulous. For our main courses we had the French Dip and the Wagyu and of course fries! Absolutely delicious meal with great service. We will definitely be back. Just a tip they told us because it’s very hard to get a reservation but the bar area is first come first service and they do take a wait list.

My spouse and I visited the Monkey Bar for dinner on a Wednesday evening in late August 2018. The Monkey Bar is open for lunch weekdays and dinner Mondays through Saturdays (closed Sunday all day). We make a reservation using the online Open Table system. The Monkey Bar opened in the 1930s in Midtown East’s Hotel Elysee (on East 54th Street, between Madison and Park Avenues), although it did not receive its official title until the 1950s. It was so named because of its many mirrored wall panels in which guests mimicked each other in a “monkey see, monkey do” way. In the 1950s, the mirrors were replaced with the painted monkey caricature murals that still decorate the walls today. Famous guests like Tennessee Williams (who actually died in the hotel), Tallulah Bankhead (who lived at the hotel with her pet monkey and pet lion), Babe Ruth, Isadora Duncan, and Ava Gardner visited to enjoy the off-color jokes and double-entendre songs of the performers. (There wasn’t any of that on the night we dined; just a pianist at the upright in the bar.) The Library Hotel Collection group operates the Monkey Bar, as well as other NYC hotels including the Elysee, Library, Giraffe, and Casablanca; they also own properties in Toronto, Prague, and Budapest. The bar room is more casual than the dining room, featuring a cozy dimly lit atmosphere accented by red-and-white checkered tablecloths on its few booth and tables (two of which are high tops) and lots of monkey decor (including light fixtures and the famous wall murals). In the more elegant Art Deco dining room (for which we have twice held reservations and for which we have twice [disappointingly] been seated in the bar instead), a three-panel Ed Sorel mural featuring caricatures of Jazz Age icons (including Frank Sinatra, Fred Astair, Duke Ellington, F. Scott Fitzgerald, Dorothy Parker, Langston Hughes) dominates the walls. (Not only weren’t we seated in the dining room, but during our meal in the bar, the host drew the heavy velvet curtains across the entry to that room so that we couldn’t even take a peek inside at the famous painting. The Monkey Bar offers American-style cuisine. We started with two drinks: the Bandito (jalapeno tequila, grapefruit, St. Germain) and the Park City Old Fashioned (their version contains pear liqueur and cinnamon). We snacked on delicious tiny yeasty rolls and butter while we perused the menu. As an appetizer, we shared the excellent steak tartare served with toast points. As our entrees, we ordered their classic cheeseburger (served on a brioche bun with a side of French fries) and the half-roasted chicken (served with Romano beans). For dessert, we shared the sticky toffee pudding, served with vanilla ice cream. Although we enjoyed our dinner at Monkey Bar, the bar was extremely loud and crowded on the weeknight that we dined. We were hugely disappointed that for a second time, we were seated in the casual bar instead of in the more glamorous dining room.

Nice place for food and drinks. Smaller bar area but very quaint. Bar staff is outstanding and will recommend the best food and drinks if you give them some insight. Burgers are 100%.

In-place, which should be reserved well in advance. Meat was good, we didn’t like the side dishes: the fries had many black spots, with the Truffle Mac&Cheese we couldn’t detect any truffle taste.

I met with some friends at the legendary Monkey Bar (at the Elysée Hotel) last year during NYC's Restaurant Week and had a pleasant evening. We enjoyed good food, tasty drinks and excellent service - the cool monkey decor is a bonus.

We were staying in the Hotel Elysee and were really looking forward to dining in the Monkey Bar, and were even planning on eating there more than once during our eight days in the city. We had reservations but it was a week night and the place was far from full, so they weren't necessary. Even though it wasn't full, service was slow. My wife had the steak which was cooked to order but otherwise unremarkable. The French fries were limp and greasy. I had the lamb chops and, when served, were cold - not lukewarm, but cold. They were taken back and heated but, of course, I was sitting there while my wife ate her dinner. I started with the lobster bisque and, honestly, I've had much, much better lobster bisque from Costco. This didn't have much flavor. Photos are attached. Getting cold food at any restaurant is inexcusable but it seems even worse when a restaurant had pretensions and prices its menu accordingly. Travel tip: if you decide to eat here I recommend you tell your server to bring out the food as it's plated rather than waiting until all orders are ready. Thanks for reading. I’ll appreciate a thumbs up below if you’ve found this helpful.

I never leave reviews, but I feel obligated to say something about my recent experience at this bar—particularly involving a bartender. Phillip served me and was initially professional, but things quickly crossed a line after giving him my business card. What started as normal interaction quickly shifted into behavior that was inappropriate and made me feel disrespected as a guest. I’ve been to this bar several times and always enjoyed the atmosphere, but this recent experience left me deeply uncomfortable. I’m writing this review because women deserve to feel safe and respected in spaces like this. I hope management addresses this issue, because this kind of experience shouldn’t be brushed aside. Although Im from the UK, I’m a regular at this place, but after this, I don’t know if I’ll return. Do better Phillip.

Getting a reservation is extremely stressful. Must be done 13 days in advance at exactly 9:00 AM. All decent times are taken within 30 seconds. People resell reservations for $50-$100. Food was disappointing (limited, uninspired, and disjointed menu; small portions). Desserts at $19 claimed to feed several people but really just fed 1-1/2. Service was much better than expected based on other reviews. Drinks were good and well-made. We were seated at a big round booth on the upper side level of the restaurant. If you don’t sit in the central open dining room, there’s really no point going here at all. Cannot understand why people would spend this much money for this quality food and eat in the bar. Our backup reservation was at Neeraj across the street, where we had pre-dinner drinks. I think we would have enjoyed it more than Monkey Bar, which is all form and little function,

This is a very plush, cool restaurant and bar. The food is fabulous and it is perfect for a romantic dinner. The service was great and it is obviously very popular with the locals. It is a bit of a splurge place but is totally worth it!

Very nice indeed! A friend of mine who lives in Manhattan, took me to eat here on my first visit to New York and I loved the atmosphere and the food was stellar. The restaurant did have a nice dark ambience to it as one of the reviews mentioned, which I did like but their amazing service is what sparked my night! I would definitely recommend this place to anyone who hasn't been here.

My husband and I talked about going to the Monkey Bar for years. We finally made reservations, and it was just wonderful. Inside the Hotel Elysee, the Monkey Bar itself has great, fun murals of monkeys all around the bar. Monkeys having a birthday party, teasing a zebra, riding an elephant, recovering from a hangover. You walk past the reception desk at the back of the bar into the dining room. Around the red leather banquets (booths) there are bronze lamps of monkeys, that look and are acting human. Across the walls is a mural all around the restaurant by Ed Sorel featuring caricatures of famous celebrities who dominated nightlife in New York City during the 1920s and '30s from Fiorello LaGuardia to Ella Fitzgerald, Irving Berlin and Babe Ruth to Fats Waller and Toscanini. It's like walking back in time. The food was delicious. My husband ordered a bone-in ribeye steak large enough for two...and ate every bit. The lamb chops were broiled perfectly. Wonderful wine selection and the service was excellent. Sometimes you go to famous bars or restaurants and the food and service is not so great. This was so much more than we expected and well worth the money. We would definitely go back.

What a find!! Amazing bar, beautifully decorated, fabulous ambience and THE BEST cosmopolitan I had during my trip! Thank you!

We had a quiet dinner at the Monkey bar last Friday evening and had a wonderful experience. First off, the bourbon smash is worth its price....if you're a bourbon lover, by all means try it! my husband had the Scottish Salmon with spaetzle, English peas, fava beans, asparagus, with a red wine reduction, and I had the Rohan Duck with black rice, rapini, honey turnips. My husband said his was the best salmon he had ever had, and my duck....well words cannot do it justice! It truly was that delicious! Dessert was the Sticky Toffee Pudding chocolate walnut toffee, vanilla ice cream, and it was to die for.... The Monkey Bar is famous for all the artists who often visited. It was fun being in the place and knowing the ghosts of those greats were probably still hanging around trying to get seconds. Our waiter, Bob was a hoot, and took care of us with great care. Will definetely return on our next trip to NYC.

Went in after dinner, for drinks and dessert. Really cool bar area with funky monkey decor! Our drinks were good and our warm apple crumb with ice cream was decilous! Staff was quick and service was good!

What a fun place. It feels like a place that locals would go to. Great drinks, great food and a really great vibe. And at least when we were here there was a fantastic piano man. Nice touch.

Everyone should have the smoked spaghetti....it is without a doubt one of the nest smoked dished I have ever had! Wonderful!

This was old gothic new york in it's original form. Not much left in that category. From the time I got here till the time I left I felt like I was in pre-recession pre-internet new york.

I felt transported back to the 20s as soon as I walked into the restaurant. The service was effective yet not intrusive. The menu is extensive and every dish I had was satisfying. I love the darkness of the place, very intimate. Live music adds a special touch.

Had a mini-reunion with a table of 5. Loved that we were never rushed like at many places. The staff realized we were there to enjoy each other's company and they were excellent at not pushing us to order too quickly. Excellent wine list though somewhat expensive (we splurged on a Chardonnay bottle which I believe was the lowest price at $98/bottle) it was worth it for a special occasion. The food was excellent...Orricette pasta, shrimp cocktail, oysters and tiramisu. The ambiance here is what really makes it a special place. It's quiet enough to have conversations and the lighting is just right. Will definitely return! PS we were staying next door at Hotel Elysee and it is worth noting that Monkey Bar provides room service to the hotel. Would love to see the offerings broadened to include more options.

Went here with my 16 year old daughter for dinner. We shared the Lobster Bisque as a stater, which was ample for two and very good. For dinner my daughter had the Norwegian Salmon and I had the Stuffed Berkshire Pork Chop, which was outstanding! I recommend this location if you're looking for a casual dining experience without breaking the bank.

Okay, not great. Full of noisy tourists which significantly detracted from the dining experience. Comparing this to 4 Charles is totally wacked.

the three of us had an appointment at an antique book store so we only had time for one drink the decor was very 40's and they had a small black and white tv playing olp movies over the bar the dining area had old banquettes and leopard carpeting i had an old fashioned and my brother had a singapore sling, both were top shelf we need to visit again for dinner

We met at Monkey Bar for dinner and had a delicious meal, nice wine, and very attentive service. Nice atmosphere. Definitely, recommend!

Food was amazing!!!!I couldn’t get over how wonderful the food, ambiance, service was. Cannot wait to go again. Amazing!!!!

This is a very nice place to eat and drink something, any time of the day. Really good service and quality, besides the beautiful atmosphere.

Classic place to come for a drink, very cool vibe. Enjoyed a few beers here after work. Did break the bank though since each beer was $10!!

Very unique atmosphere, good service and food. Although we were sitting in the bar it was a positive customer oriented experience. Good list of wines and cocktails- martini espresso was great! Even if availability doesn’t exist try and go. They will do their best to find a table.

Amazing how time flies. My hubby stayed at the Elysee Hotel on his first trip to NYC with his father half a century ago. He enjoyed his return to the hotel and the attached Monkey Bar especially. Both the bar and the dining room have those wonderful murals (and the art deco letters are still on one of the walls where the hat check once was - what ever happened to hats...?) and the service in each - bar and restaurant - we found friendly, professional, discreet and efficient. The bar has booths - one of which we nabbed - but it was a little noisier than the restaurant side so we moved there. (Which already made us annoying guests, I suppose, but no-one raised an eyebrow, everything was seamless.) The food was uniformly very well-prepared, the wine list terrific and a special shout-out to the restaurant manager, a lovely young Scot named Laura, who made sure every detail was exactly right. She truly made our evening perfect. The prices are on the high side, even for Manhattan, so be advised. But for a nostalgic splurge in a lovely room it was worth it for us.

This restaurant has a great location and very interesting history, some of which is displayed on the walls. It's location and history give it the potential to be one of NYs best. Unfortunately, the food and service do not live up to the location. We had a party of eight. Three people ordered the halibut. It was a OK but consumed in literally four bites. Two people order salmon and it was the same. The smoked spaghetti had a nice flavor but it was also small and contained three small shrimp and three pieces of small pieces of cut up scallop. The duck dish was the best. The waiter, an aspiring opera singer, appeared totally disinterested in providing service. If you really want a good meal, I would not go here. If you don't care that much about the food or service but want to experience a landmark restaurant, you might like it.

They were filming a Netflix show here so we couldn't go as much as we wanted to. We were smart and went at 4:00pm so we could sit in a quiet setting, converse, and have great bar food like deviled eggs, pigs in a blanket, fries and great wine.

After a tiring 2 hour wait to get through passport control at Newark airport, we were in need of a pick me up. So glad we decided to go to The Monkey Bar. We’ve been here before on previous trips & the atmosphere & friendly service from the bar staff never disappoints. They have a great selection of wines & cocktails & a delicious menu too. We just sat at the bar chatting to Ed the bartender & nibbled on warm hummus, cheese & charcuterie. Perfect. We arrived with frowns & left with smiles.

When I called for a reservation at the bar, I was told they did not take reservations...OK Since I was looking for a place to have drinks and conversations with dear friends, I asked if there were tables or booths in a quiet area. I was told that it doesn't get crowded until about 6:30...WRONG. it was so crowded and noisey at 5:30 that there was no way we could hear each other. We promptly left.

Dined at Monkey Bar and had a great experience overall! The staff was super attentive and gave solid recommendations, which made the meal feel special. The truffle Monkey Bread is a must-try—absolutely delicious and a total gem. The prime rib was tasty but a bit small for the price. Creamed spinach was good but a tad salty, and the mac and cheese needed more flavor. The salmon was nicely done, and the chocolate cake was a great way to end the meal. The vibe here is awesome, with a cool, old-school NYC feel, and the service definitely makes up for any minor food misses. Would come back for the atmosphere and that bread!

Server was not on her best game. Starters and Mains well cooked. Probably fair priced. Wines are all expensive. I did not feel that the final bill was reflected in the meal and service. Even the jazz pianist in the bar seemed half hearted. Overall I felt this could and should have been better

We stopped in at Monkey Bar after graduation last Saturday, early in the evening without a reservation, and managed to get a table for three at the bar. It was very enjoyable. The waiter was first rate. He listened to what we were considering and made some great suggestions. First he suggested that the French Dip could be cut into small pieces and served as an appetizer. We asked about Monkey Bread and he recommended it. He also bought a complimentary Crab Rangoon. All three apps were fantastic. At just the moment we were contemplating our sticky fingers from the Monkey Bread the moist warm towels appeared. As for entrees, he said with the apps, some sides, and the generous portion sizes we could easily split a prime rib among the three of us. It was delicious and perfectly cooked, and we struggled to finish it. Our sides were fries, which were good, and mushrooms. These were cooked in a cream and sherry sauce and they were terrific. We didn't order real vegetables, but we were celebrating and we can can catch up on those when we get home. The wine steward saw me struggling with the wine list and offered to help. After listening to type and price we were looking for he made a great suggestion of a wine we really enjoyed. All in all a great experience at Monkey Bar. Not inexpensive for us out of towners but fairly priced in Manhattan. My one suggestion – the seats at the bar looked pretty comfortable but at the high tops we had a basic stool that wasn’t comfortable for a full dinner. But I'd gladly sit on one again for the same experience.

Service was good but the shrimp scampi sub par. Red lobster served a better shrimp scampi. Overall the food is over rated. When I visit New York again not on my wish list

On our recent trip, my boyfriend's first to the city, we wanted to eat somewhere that felt quintessentially New York. After some research on Tripadvisor we settled on The Monkey Bar and we're very glad that we did. This is a smallish restaurant with a lovely atmosphere; not too loud, nice and relaxed, smart without being stuffy. The decor is fabulous, the food was delicious and the service was excellent. We had a couple of cocktails which were lovely, the price being about what you would expect somewhere like this. We ordered the duck and the steak and both were extremely good. The steak came with amazing fries and the duck was cooked in just the right way; crispy skin and perfectly pink in the middle. It also tasted beautiful and I enjoyed it immensely. For dessert we shared a sticky toffee pudding. We're from England where we know our sticky toffee puddings so trust me when I say, this one was divine! A very pleasant evening.