Hudson Bar and Books

User Reviews of Hudson Bar and Books

Yelp.com Review - by Trent S.

5.0 of 5 stars. They do whiskey like Blind Tiger does beer.Don't ask them to be something they're not. Enjoy a whiskey, a cigar and a fantastic lounge and just know that it'll be smoky.
yelp.com - user review - 10/13/2009
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Yelp.com Review - by Aalap P.

4.0 of 5 stars. Awesome selection whiskys. The service staff is EXTREMELY knowledgable about the drinks. The cigar menu was a bit limited. This place gets packed super quick so make sure to make a reservation.
yelp.com - user review - 09/27/2009
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Yelp.com Review - by ryan b.

3.0 of 5 stars. You can smoke there and they make good drinks. That's all you need to know.
yelp.com - user review - 07/17/2009
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Yelp.com Review - by Jeremy K.

5.0 of 5 stars. This place is really awesome. Located near an over-hyped part of town, Hudson Bar & Books is a really great place to chill and get a drink with a friend or two. I was worried when I first walked in...
yelp.com - user review - 07/09/2009
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Yelp.com Review - by menaka i.

4.0 of 5 stars. This is no way to start a review - but I haven't actually been to Hudson Bar & Books. I have HOWEVER been to the one in Prague (I am studying here for a few months.) It's called Manesova Bar & Books...
yelp.com - user review - 11/10/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by diana m.

1.0 of 5 stars. Super cheesey! the staff is filled with nasty, ugly brits. (not that they're all ugly, they just happen to be ugly here.)
yelp.com - user review - 10/21/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Sam P.

4.0 of 5 stars. Way harsh, kids! I guess that'll teach whoever that unsmiling waitress was not to mess with Yelpers!My experience was not nearly as bad, in fact it was quite pleasant! The idea of drinking surrounded...
yelp.com - user review - 10/17/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Debbie W.

3.0 of 5 stars. I didnt have all the issues my fellow yelpers had. We wanted a place to smoke cigars while having a drink, so it worked nicely. We sat outside, had a few very creative fantastic drinks. Great...
yelp.com - user review - 06/27/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Parisa A.

3.0 of 5 stars. Yikes, harsh reviews for this place. Came here last night...I actually liked it. But then again, I enjoy a ciggie from time to time and it was refreshing to not have to leave my drink to enjoy one....
yelp.com - user review - 05/11/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jen N.

1.0 of 5 stars. "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli." Remember these wise words of Clemenza from "The Godfather?"This is what kept running through my head when I first walked into the place. Our fine host, Michael...
yelp.com - user review - 05/05/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Benjamin C.

3.0 of 5 stars. The wait staff here were attentive without being familiar. To a great degree, this leant the space a private-speak-easy feel. A guest's business was their own. Still, I am far more comfortable with...
yelp.com - user review - 04/30/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Peter K.

2.0 of 5 stars. The one bright side of Hudson Bar & Books: the library section in the rear. Everywhere else was a congestion nightmare. Case in point: the restroom. I think if you came here in a group of four or less...
yelp.com - user review - 04/29/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Kate B.

3.0 of 5 stars. I'm choosing to believe that the waitresses were smile-free on account of the heavy, Robert Palmer girl minidresses that were their uniforms. Their ennui didn't affect the service, though -- they...
yelp.com - user review - 04/28/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Matt E.

2.0 of 5 stars. My driver dropped me off in front of Hudson Bar & Books right on time at 21:30, Saturday evening. I had just finished dinner at Masa, and was meeting a party at the cigar parlor for some relaxation....
yelp.com - user review - 04/28/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Steven V.

2.0 of 5 stars. DOUCHEBAGS WITH CIGARS-Small place-Waiters in bow ties-Waitress who never smiles-Poor ventilation-Narrow and claustrophobic-Pack of Wall street guys blocking the restroom-Pool of testosterone on the...
yelp.com - user review - 04/27/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Julie M.

2.0 of 5 stars. I used to smoke. So when I used to, this place was great! However, cigars reek and the stench stays in your hair, clothes, skin, etc. The inside is very dark, mahogany, rich, lots of books... almost...
yelp.com - user review - 04/02/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Jin K.

2.0 of 5 stars. I hate to give a cigar bar less than stellar review (especially given the limited number of them in NY), but I have to say this is my least favorite of the cigar lounge/bars in the city.The cigar...
yelp.com - user review - 02/27/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Sarah D.

2.0 of 5 stars. I generally love any place with a nice combination of old books and scotch. Add smoking into the mix and you've got a real winner. Since all three of those things can be found in spades at Hudson...
yelp.com - user review - 01/30/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Angela G.

2.0 of 5 stars. It's my second time to Hudson Bar and Books. The first time was two years ago when I was on a cigar bar stint. I went again yesterday at nine pm. It was nearly empty, except for two patrons by the...
yelp.com - user review - 01/23/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Alexis A.

3.0 of 5 stars. I have such mixed feelings about this place. They have good wine and I like the coziness of it. I don't like being charged to not smoke. Also, the smoke. I took a date who is a smoker, I am not....
yelp.com - user review - 01/01/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by Darbi W.

3.0 of 5 stars. I have to agree with Ali and Alexis. I love and hate this place. It's obviously a good choice if you are hanging with a militant smoker or want to live out your Rat Pack dreams in the West Village....
yelp.com - user review - 01/01/2008
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Yelp.com Review - by julia r.

5.0 of 5 stars. we totally stumbled upon this place today and thought it was fab. felt like christmas inside. we also had the luxury of sitting in the back by the faux fire and amongst the book lined shelves and red...
yelp.com - user review - 10/28/2007
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Excellent cocktails, decent cigar list, good service, expensive.

I put off trying this place because of the negative reviews about the service (note those reviews are all pretty old, from '02). Finally went last night and found out what I was missing. It is very expensive,...
citysearch.com - user review - 10/09/2007
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Excellent

The warm, masculine environment and top-notch cocktails make this my go-to bar. Benjamin is among the best in the city, and his meticulous mixing is reason enough to stop here. Not to mention that one can...
citysearch.com - user review - 10/08/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Pam S.

4.0 of 5 stars. Accidentally deleted my whole post for this place. Darn it. In summary:Good - cigars, drinks, service, atmosphere, for groups, conversation, for a chill night outAlright - chips, ventilation (could be...
yelp.com - user review - 10/04/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Jen P.

4.0 of 5 stars. I quite like this bar although it's not for a rollicking time out drinking. It's definitely more for when you're in the mood for some well poured drinks and conversation. Even if that conversation...
yelp.com - user review - 08/13/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Chris S.

4.0 of 5 stars. If you can handle the smoke, this is the perfect place to live out your WWII-era New York fantasies. Located on a pleasant block in the West Village, Bar & Books provides a comfortable, non-phoney...
yelp.com - user review - 02/16/2007
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Yelp.com Review - by Yora K.

4.0 of 5 stars. They make great mint julep and other classic cocktails!
yelp.com - user review - 01/03/2007
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Great atmosphere, service, environment...

I completely agree with this person and always refer my friends to this place..."The place is beautiful and laid-back, the service prompt and accurate, good tunes rocking through the place, and other bar...
citysearch.com - user review - 11/29/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Erica C.

3.0 of 5 stars. One would think that a cigar bar would actually have some ventilation? Not at Hudson Bar & Books, where an hour will leave even smokers like myself grateful for the smoking ban. Pluses: good...
yelp.com - user review - 11/26/2006
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Avoid the asian hostess/waitress

The place is smaller than I expected it to be. Good if you want it to be intimate, bad if you have a few bags with you and care about space restrictions.If you go, find seats either at the bar or in the back...
citysearch.com - user review - 11/13/2006
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Avoid the asian hostess/waitress

The place is smaller than I expected it to be. Good if you want it to be intimate, bad if you have a few bags with you and care about space restrictions. If you go, find seats either at the bar or in the back...
citysearch.com - user review - 11/13/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by Robert B.

3.0 of 5 stars. I've been here twice, in an attempt to feel really pretentious. I succeeded both times and left reeking of smoke. Since I'm not a cigar smoker, and I've gotten used to a smoke-free bar environment, I...
yelp.com - user review - 10/17/2006
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Yelp.com Review - by ali l.

3.0 of 5 stars. i have mixed feelings about this place. i really like the look and feel of it, a smallish space with plenty of books and a definite library feel - we got the space in the back, which is prime seating...
yelp.com - user review - 02/10/2006
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I like this place, but don't love it.

It has well-crafted drinks, a classy atmosphere, and the service is generally efficient and professional. However, there are a few annoying problems. The service is cold and standoffish at times. They're not...
citysearch.com - user review - 08/15/2005
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very cool spot by Grandmaster C. at InsiderPages

This place has a very cool atmosphere and has seating outside to read or to socialize. It is very relaxed but very stimulating. It is on the edge of west village. It is a very interesting spot. I highly...
citysearch.com - user review - 07/21/2005
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User review by amirchandani

Meticulousy hand crafted cocktails. Fine Cigars. One of the only places in New York to legally light up a cigar and enjoy a fine cognac, whisky, port. Remember - they have an uptown location (a bit more...
citysearch.com - user review - 06/06/2005
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Don't Buy These Lies

Wow, I'm not sure why so many people are spitting vitriol about this place. Granted, I've only been there once and it was right after work. The place is beautiful and laid back, the service prompt and...
citysearch.com - user review - 04/30/2003
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Try it for a change of pace.

It's not as snooty as people make it out to be. Go on a weekday for a quiet beer, the bartender is really nice and there is a mellow feeling, no hype, no pressure.I believe that some people immediately go to...
citysearch.com - user review - 01/30/2003
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Try it for a change of pace.

It's not as snooty as people make it out to be. Go on a weekday for a quiet beer, the bartender is really nice and there is a mellow feeling, no hype, no pressure. I believe that some people immediately go to...
citysearch.com - user review - 01/30/2003
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Rude

I went to the Hudson bar with my boyfriend and the guy at the front door was extremely rude. I was told there some real snobs in there, but he was the only one I encountered. It's too bad "the help" has such a...
citysearch.com - user review - 12/16/2002
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GREAT for masochists

So they can mix a drink, big deal. I'd rather have a bunch of monkeys slinging bottles behind the bar than these creeps. The maitre d' really puckers up for the aging eurotrash then explodes violently on the...
citysearch.com - user review - 11/30/2002
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strives for classiness

I have always wondered what the attraction to this bar is - the few times I have been there, I have been struck by it's overpriced drinks, it's utter pretentiousness, seen the manager (?) be incredibly rude to...
citysearch.com - user review - 11/26/2002
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Pretentious

In one word: pretentious. I think they are going for classy, but the atmosphere is fake and silly. Even worse, the service there is horrible. They overcharged me for a couple of glasses of wine (which are...
citysearch.com - user review - 11/22/2002
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Chic and Relax

What a great combination! The drinks are prepared with such meticulousness, I finally found a place that makes great negroni. The ambiance is very classy and somehow relaxing. As for the menu, you'll find the...
citysearch.com - user review - 10/08/2002
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Better than yoga

Looking for a place to relax? Stop looking, just get over Hudson Bar & Books for a succulent drink prepared and served by friendly staff in a refined and tasteful environment. It's inviting and very relaxing...
citysearch.com - user review - 10/03/2002
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Cosy, Classy, Whiskey

When I discovered Hudson Bar and Books, it was the Whiskey's night. I decided to try it out and was very impressed by the experience. I also had a cigar and some finger food wich were delicious.The perfect...
citysearch.com - user review - 10/03/2002
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Better than yoga

Looking for a place to relax? Stop looking, just get over Hudson Bar & Books for a succulent drink prepared and served by friendly staff in a refined and tasteful environment. It's inviting and very relaxing...
citysearch.com - user review - 10/03/2002
Full Review »

Cosy, Classy, Whiskey

When I discovered Hudson Bar and Books, it was the Whiskey's night. I decided to try it out and was very impressed by the experience. I also had a cigar and some finger food wich were delicious. The perfect...
citysearch.com - user review - 10/03/2002
Full Review »

Needs improvement

The drinks are good here - BUT, the service stinks. I waited 10 minutes to get change for a drink I ordered at the bar, my friend had one of her drinks dumped all over the floor by the same waitress above who...
citysearch.com - user review - 10/01/2002
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What happened?

Not sure why they killed what used to be a lovely atmosphere. They installed a big glaring TV and what look like heat lamps over the bar. The vibe just isn't what it was, and the staff cleared on out of there...
citysearch.com - user review - 09/05/2002
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Offensive & Obnoxious

Terrible service. If you are looking for a courteous, friendly manager on staff to offer solicitious service, go somewhere else. Otherwise, if you want insults, threats and rudeness, this is your place. Ask...
citysearch.com - user review - 08/30/2002
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