Art Bar, Back Room
10 people recommendvia r/AskNYC, r/FoodNYC13 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Most people who weighed in recommend Art Bar, and many single out its back room, where one patron says the couches get cozy fast. Another likes the back room's spooky feel, a third likes taking a crossword there, and one commenter notes the full menu is served late into the night. On the downside, one patron says the crowd is hit or miss from night to night, another finds the college and gay-bar mix doesn't feel sexy, and a third patron says it feels intimate but far from quiet.
Address
Art Bar, 52 8th Ave, New York, NY 10014
At a glance
- Price
- Budget
- Best for
- Late night, Budget
- Opinions divided
- Yes
- Known for
- Back room, Couches, Jell O shots
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Art Bar, Back Room, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/7wells in r/AskNYC · Feb 2024
Lists its back room among suggested bars; gives no further detail.
- Recommendsu/BellonaKid in r/FoodNYC · Jun 2024
Describes bringing a crossword here as a usual routine, a sign it suits solo visits.
- Mixedu/Level-Reindeer-1634 in r/AskNYC · Feb 2024consistency
Says the crowd is inconsistent: good nights match the praise, others feel like an informal group gathering.
- Recommendsu/thejeffphone in r/AskNYC · Apr 2024ambience
Likes its back room for a spooky feel.
- Recommendsu/Anastasiadipdip in r/AskNYC · Feb 2024ambience
Agrees with the pick and says the couches make it cozy quickly.
- Recommendsu/SpacemanD13 in r/AskNYC · May 2024ambience
Suggests the back area of Art Bar as a good spot.
- Mixedu/Seven_Minute_Abs_ in r/AskNYC · Feb 2024ambience
Likes its perks, but says the crowd is a college-and-gay-bar mix, not a sexy vibe.
- Recommendsu/nyc-gypsy in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2025
Says the full menu stays available late into the night, every day of the week.
Show all 13 cited comments
- Recommendsu/maverick4002 in r/AskNYC · Feb 2024ambience
Names the back-room Art Bar as their first thought for the brief.
- Recommendsu/69_420___ in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2024
Praises this bar in passing, alongside WXOU.
- Mixedu/Rene_DeMariocartes in r/AskNYC · Feb 2024ambience
Says it feels intimate but is not quiet.
- Recommendsu/zukka924 in r/AskNYC · Feb 2024
Strongly recommends it, with no other details.
- Recommendsu/gatorzero in r/AskNYC · May 2024
Expresses fondness for the Art Bar suggestion above.
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Freshness
Details last checked 11 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.