Smith's Bar

This bar started out fine. While our server was slow and the beer selection was limited we were having an OK time and glad to be out of the cold. Things went south when the shift changed and our server made us cash out since she was leaving. We were ok with that and understood.

A grungy looking guy came over and asked if we needed anything. He didn't introduce himself or say he was going to be our new server. Actually, we didn't even know who he was. We didn't need anything at that time, so we told him we were OK. He never returned to check on us, so we went up to the bar when we wanted another round. After two plus hours of us serving ourselves, he actually came over and grabbed one of ours beers and told us to move to the bar since we were not letting him serve us. We explained we did not care who served us as long as someone did, but we were not going to move. He proceeded to tell us we needed to take our glasses into the kitchen and wash them ourselves. Then, he threatened to call the police, and finally, he took the beer and walked off.

Of course, we got a manager to come over because we were not going to be treated that way. It was not our fault he failed to ever come back by and check on us. The manager was minimally apologetic and returned the beer that had been taken into the back. She didn't give us a new one, it was the same one with the grungy guy's fingerprints all over the glass. She literally did not care that he had grabbed a beer off our table and yelled at us to move to the bar. There was no offer to make it right.

In a city full of great places to go I would never go here again. Find somewhere that is happy to have your business and will treat their customers with a little respect. Go somewhere with a manager who knows how to be professional and a wait staff who wants to wait on you.

Pros: Still trying to think of some...

Cons: Bad service; staff threatened us; I doubt they know what customer service is.

Posted 01/31/09

There was a change in ownership. The wonderful old fashioned " bartender's for life" are no longer there. I did not know this when I walked in last week. I visited this location 3 years ago and loved it. I could not wait to get back. When I finally got there it was complete dissapointment. The real bartenders were gone, the music was extremely loud and was being turned up even more by a customer at the end of the bar. This was a very sad shame.
P.S. I am the same person as "almam" that left a good review before. I truly apologize to anyone that visited this place based on that review. I did not know all the good of the old place was going to be flushed down the toilet.

Pros: its the old location

Cons: VERY LOUD and THE NEW PATRONS

Posted 07/26/08

It seems like whenever my friends and i are in NYC we seem to end up at Smith's at some point or another.
The drinks are not expensive for a NYC bar, and if your looking for a quick bite, the food is pretty good. I recommand the HELL'S HOT WINGS great bar food. The staff on a whole i would rate a B+.
They have live Music most nights, I have seem 3 different bands and i would have to say that all were pretty good. Also a plus it that they have alot of Flat screens so if you looking to watch a sporting event they most likely will have it on. I would have to say that if you want to see an old school NYC bar they visit Smith's.

Pros: Live Music, lots of flat screens TV's and a old school look.

Cons: only 2 bathrooms 1 for man & 1 for the women

Posted 02/27/08

I've been a lot of places and I dine out all the time so I consider myself a some what of an expert on nightlife
experience...I will travel many miles for a place I like..( Like Four Street in Portland Maine..the absolute best food I have ever eaten. Smith's is definatly one of them. It is one of the friendliest bars I've been. My friends slide by..The music and guests are fantastic seems like there are new people to meet. Every time we left there we always had a smile on our face for the whole human race! If you like hamburgers, Sandwiches
some various pastas chile this is it. Also they serve a great breakfast....

Pros: Great area....

Cons: None that I can think of

Posted 04/02/07

There are actually two SMITH'S BARs. One, old one, on the corner. That is full of old New York atmosphere, along with assorted street creatures and other interesting spectacles. The other, right next to it, is a newish bar/lounge where bad bands do Van Morrison covers. Naturally, we sat in the scummy bar. The sound of the barband was pumped in anyway, but not overwhelmingly so. The waiter was terrific! He anticipated our order just by the way we looked at the bar! Yow! The booths are kind of small for a group larger than 4, but you'll make do. It's worth it. The food was only passable, but the old New York feeling and great waiter make this place fit like an old pair of jockey shorts. We'll be back! --Drink Club is a roving group of NYC drinkers

Pros: Great Service, Great Atmosphere

Cons: food only OK

Posted 03/09/06

Spent a great night at Smith's. Great local hangout with a diverse crowd of theater folks to concrete workers. Bartenders are tops! Brad, one of the new bartenders, let me bend his ear and was quick to crack open a cold beer. The deli/steam table has traditional NY bar food from Hot Pastrami to boiled dinners. Plenty of TV' s for sports and good rock 'n roll music on the juke box. I'll be back so keep a cool one ready for me !!

Pros: Service, Location, Locals

Posted 01/19/06

I stopped in with a friend last Tuesday and had such a great time... we went back the following day!
We were staying at a hotel across the street and Smith's ended up being our "hang out" while in the City. I'm from a small town in the Midwest and never expected to feel so welcomed in a neighborhood bar in NYC.
The food was excellent, the drinks plentiful and the service superior.
Special thanks to Derek the bartender for showing a couple of out-of-towners a really great time!

Pros: service, locals, food

Cons: none

Posted 11/05/05

First time in New York and we just happened to be lucky enough to be staying across the street. We did not go to Smith's the first night. We went to a rude, boring, and very indimidating bar down the street. The next night we found Smith's. We loved it. The best bartenders "real bartenders". We are from a small town in Texas. It was very special to visit a place that was just the way I had always pictured a new york corner bar to be. I will be going back to New York and We will be staying at the hotel across the street, not for the hotel, for Smith's.

Posted 07/26/05

I stumbled into this fantastic place about 10 years ago by complete accident. It is by far the best neighborhood bar in NYC. Great people and the best bartenders in NYC. Peter, Paul and Barney. Bartenders are born into these positions. No kidding. Ask them. Good food. Always a good show out the windows. I always stop here for one (at least) whenever I am in the city. My favorite NY landmark. A real irish pub and good old New York corner bar.

Pros: Best bar tenders, great pub atmosphere, kill you w/ kindness

Posted 12/07/02

A beacon in the wasteland of Times Square chicanery, Smith's rocks my socks off! There are precious few of these old cafeteria/bars around anymore, and this one, tho divey, is a cut above the rest. I couldn't believe the waiter was all dressed up, a cloth on his arm, even! and all for some cheap (but good) eats. Bartenders are awesome, they all still wear white shirts and smoke stogies, as all good bartenders do. If you find yourself in the pit of Times Square, scoot over to 8th and be saved!

Pros: Old School Waiter, Smoky (that's good)

Posted 11/04/02

Was turned onto this place by a friend. If your looking for the old neighborhood place this is it. Steam table food. Long old bar. Corn Beef and pastrami are the best inthe city and they don't rip you off like the Carnige or stage deli. Nothing trendy here. Great Guinness. Great bartenders. They remember your drink and name. I stop in when ever I'm in manhattan. Tell Vinny the bartender I sent you, maybe he'll buy me a beer

Pros: Good Food, Good Prices, Great People

Cons: Crowded at lunch

Posted 10/31/02