Loreley Restaurant

I felt like Othello. Upon arrival we were told if we knew the 3 more people inside trying to sit next to us, it was no good. But if they were total strangers, then that was fine. Outrageous. Some of the staff were awesome about it. Some acted like they were doing us a favor. After inquiring, they said "management" would scream at them and that the neighbors would take issue with the volume. Then don't have a beer garden if you oppose merriment. I wouldn't go here if they gave the beer away for free. The food is inedible as well.

Pros: good sized beers. For parties of 8 or less you might enjoy.
Cons: Service, food, rules, management, attitude and the fact they advertise for parties.

The Good: HUGE beer mugs and a shaded outdoor eating/drinking area, picnic tables and large indoor benched seating- plenty of space for a big group, would/should be the perfect place for a party...which leads me to....The Bad: The entire staff at Loreley establishes right off the bat that THEY are doing YOU the "service"- and not in a charming German/New York way. It's hard to explain in words with it not coming off as an exaggeration- but rude service is an understatement. It might be fine if you want to grab a drink with a couple of friends (but no more than 5- because they won't let you sit together...literally- we got there at 2pm, there were 5 open tables in the garden, and the staff blocked 3 friends from even coming outdoors because we knew each other...it sounds crazy, because it is- these were sober adults made to sit indoors and wait for us, who at that point we were sober too. I made a reservation for 20 a week in advance and asked for the "party corner", which is advertised on their website...but, I was told that I couldn't have it because it was for parties of 25 people or more (the day of the party it remained empty for the 8 hours we were there). And compared to everything else, this is almost not worth mentioning, but I had to put a $200 deposit down to reserve an indoor table for 20- which I've never heard of paying for a reservation before, so... that should have been a sign...The Ugly: Our party ended up having a god time, but I'd emphasize that this was IN SPITE of the atmosphere that the staff at Loreley creates. In a city like New York, if your looking for a good time, you can definitely do better...from my experience and the others that I've read, it makes me wonder how this place remains in business. The consensus from our group (which was well over 40 by the end of the night) was that no one would ever return. It's a shame and it makes you wonder, why a place that's SO uptight would bother to have a "biergarten". You can do better.

Pros: great mugs of beer, great space, should be fun novelty place
Cons: shockingly rude service (which trumps any "pro")- you may have to see it to believe it

I have never found it harder to get drunk, than I have at Loreley's. The staff (through "management's rules") enforces more rules than even Mayor Bloomberg could think up... No large parties in the garden. Well, explain to me the difference between 2 groups of 8, and 1 group of 16? Somehow this matter;s to Loreley's

It is a simple formula - Big Beer glasses + big groups of people = good times. Somehow Lorely's manages to mess this up with absurd rules and nonsensical enforcement of them. There are rules I haven't seen elsewhere, which makes me wonder why they are here..

The sad part is that I could have had a long fun relationship with this bar. Instead, I must continue my hunt for a good beer garden.

Pros: great beer selection
Cons: the rules that ruin a good time

Just found out that Loreley is showing all the EURO 2008 Soccer games live! I love this place, have been there many times and enjoy the friendly service, great German Biergarten feel and delicious food. Food service is excellent, very fast and the food is always freshly prepared. They must be turning food like crazy judging from how busy this place is!
I can't wait to watch some exciting "Fussball" Games there with plenty of cool brews to go with them...

Pros: Beautiful waitstaff, great athmosphere, best beer selection
Cons: loud on weekends, try to go beginning of the week

If one is looking to pay extraordinary sums for beers and get harassed/pushed by the wait staff, then Loreley is the place for you. A manager of Loreley instilled a culture of entitlement with the waiters/waitresses that is unmatched in any bar or restaurant that I have ever frequented in NYC. Or anywhere for that matter. To wit: staff believe they should have a clear Autobahn to speed between the bar and the beer garden. Should a paying customer stand in their path one can expect nothing short of a firm push in the back, a dressing-down akin to something one probably hasn't experienced since Grade School and, if one has the gall to repeat the offense of milling about comfortably one will surely be read the Riot Act. If one is looking for a relaxed and enjoyable atmosphere, I implore, go elsewhere. However, if one is looking to be barked out like those on a train bound for Auschwitz then Loreley should be the next bar you visit. For a much more enjoyable experience I recommend Zum Schneider on East 7th Street in the East Village.

Pros: None
Cons: Wait Staff, price, that it is still standing