Whiskey Ward

This is one of the classier "dive" bars that I've been to in NYC. The atmosphere is relaxed, the place is clean, and the crowd tends to be non-pretentious. For whiskey lovers, the owners (really nice folks) make sure to stock the bar with excellent premium label bourbon, rye, single malt, and Irish whiskeys.

But don't let the name fool you...The Whiskey Ward has an excellent beer and wine selection and really tasty cocktails. The unlimited peanuts in the shell are also a nice touch. And of course, the bartenders are friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable. I like this place so much that I visit at least weekly after work to play a round of pool and knock back a couple of rye whiskeys. But I also like swinging by for a few drinks when I go bar hopping.

Pros: Great liquor, excellent service, and a relaxed atmosphere

Cons: More

Posted 07/28/09

You can keep your Libations and Fat Babies, I'll take the Ward. Staff is friendly and unpretentious and skilled. Music is top notch and the jukebox is the best on the LES. Drinks are well priced, and there's FREE peanuts. You probably haven't even read the end of this post because you've already left to go sample it for yourself.

Posted 10/23/08

After bumming around the City looking for a good place to throw back a few, I remebered this place. Glad I did. Relaxed, friendly, good beer/whiskey and cool crowd. Definitely one of the good ones.

Posted 10/28/07

The bar is classic "neighborhood". Pool tables, stained wooden floors, everyone drinks beer with no fancy cocktails, the jukebox plays the same 6 songs over and over. Not my scene, but if you like that sort of place, then you'll probably love this one.

Posted 10/20/06

turn the corner from the hipsters on ludlow st. and actually walk into a bar where you don't feel like a piece of meat. whiskey ward is the best bar in all of new york city! Actually, the best bar I have ever been to ( and... I have been to a lot)..The staff is inredible- sandee, the owner is one of the most interesting and endearing person one could ever meet, by walking into a bar- plus tough as they come! drinks are great, the bartenders are sweet as pie, the music is perfect and any night of the week you can find yourself having an intersting chat with someone. Through the years this place has become my second home!

Pros: staff, drinks, vibe

Posted 09/05/06

This bar has everything you could want in a neighborhood bar and more! The bartenders are great and always remember your name and your drink. The owners, Sandy and Joey and relaxed and accomodating, and the general vibe is mellow and friendly. A great place to go for a quick drink with a friend or for a more raucous night with a big group. The jukebox too never fails - this place is a diamond in the rough!

Pros: Inexpensive, good music, laid-back vibe

Cons: Crowded

Posted 12/26/05

excellent liquor selection (especially the whiskey). friendliest bartenders & staff. killer dj's. good mix of local crowd and newcomers. not a long wait for the pool table. what more can you ask for in a neighborhood bar?

Posted 12/20/05

The staff is horrible, always making you feel that you did something wrong. They offer peanuts but come to tell you not make a mess. You order a drink and they come to tell you not to spill it. One of my friend spilled his drinked and the staff refused to serve him again!!!!!!!! I don't recommend this place if you go out with friends. Great spot if you like to be yelled at though.

Posted 11/15/05

cold beer, beautiful people, feels like home. warm, friendly staff. good music, good toilet, affordable, and well conditioned hair all around.

Posted 09/07/05

The Whiskey Ward gives you everything and more...great owners, hot bartenders, zombie djs, a pool table and of course miss bettie page! If you want a home away from home this is it. If you want a fun night out this is where you should go. You see the Whiskey Ward isn't one of those second rate, knock-off, rip-off bars you find in the city these days, it's the original and still the best.

Posted 08/31/05

if you want a bar where the crowd is hip, the service excellent and the drinks not overpriced, whiskey ward is the place!!!! no hip hop music here. put your money in the juke box and play music from the cure to zeppelin. shauna is my favorite bartender and the owner sandee is the best!!!! she'll be right beside you throwing them down!!!!!!

Pros: inexpensive, hip, good crowd

Posted 08/28/05

Although the neighborhood has changed for the mundane, one can still go to the Whiskey Ward, order a Parker all the while conversing with the drink special's name-sake and rock to the dj's eclectic collections. This is an establishment that cares about the community and takes active measures to participate in worthy causes. Whether it is to run campaigns to save animal shelters, or to stand up to unfair laws, by patronizing this taproom one is partaking in the benafaction of all the 26 wards in NYC as well as getting great drinks at great prices by great people.

Posted 08/26/04

I come over to New york from England pretty regularly, but only just discovered Whiskey Ward last week...can't recommend it enough. Got a big glass of Jack and a beer for $6....the crowd was laid back and friendly, the staff were the same and the jukebox pumped out an endless stream of Led Zeppelin classics!!! What more could you ask for??

Pros: Cheap, Friendly

Posted 05/13/04

Great Place! Clean...Not Crowded...Great After Hour! I highly recommend this place to my friends!

Posted 01/14/04

The Ward is without doubt one of the coolest places in New York. I almost dont want to spread the word on this rare gem. The space is big enough to go in groups yet there is plenty of room to saunter away into a corner for a little intimacy. One thing I have noticed is the bar can go from having just a few people to very crowded and the level of service never drops off, there is always an extra hand on hand to jump in. The mix of people can get interesting, regulars, real drinkers, groups, romantic couples, pool players, the occasional biker and yet all are made to feel comfortable. The quality of drinks, the prices, the people and the service make The Whiskey Ward one of the best in the city.

Pros: Service, Atmosphere, prices

Posted 11/26/02

I went to this Whiskey Ward yesterday (Thursday) and I have to say it was one of the best "drinker's days" in over a year! We all know Thursday is the best day to drink in NYC, and now I've found the best place to do it. Great cold beer, excellent selection of top-shelf whiskeys, beautiful girls and great people all around. The DJ was awesome and very open to requests. What more could you want????

Pros: Good whiskey, Inexpensive

Posted 08/11/02