Otto's Shrunken Head
11 people recommendvia r/AskNYC, r/FoodNYC12 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Many people recommend this tiki bar, and several describe its vibe as fun, cool, or unusual. A few people point to live performances, including improv and a local band, and one commenter praises the drinks while calling it a bit divey. Another finds the drinks budget-friendly, while one patron thought it was only okay until a band played in the back room. One patron feels at ease drinking alone there, but finds the festive mood a poor fit for a sad night.
Address
Otto's Shrunken Head, 538 E 14th St, New York, NY 10009
At a glance
- Price
- Budget
- Best for
- Live music
- Known for
- Tiki bar
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Otto's Shrunken Head, 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/avantgardengnome in r/AskNYC · Jun 2026
Lists it among suggested bars.
- Recommendsu/bkpunk in r/AskNYC · Feb 2025ambience
Calls it a fun tiki bar.
- Recommendsu/upyourattraction in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2024
Longtime fan who has collected the bar's merchandise over the years.
- Recommendsu/LongIsland1995 in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2024ambience
Calls it cool, with interesting performances and reasonably priced drinks.
- Recommendsu/my-honor-remains in r/AskNYC · Jun 2026ambience
Says they joined the thread to praise it and finds its crowd distinctive.
- Recommendsu/Yanischemas21 in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2024ambience
Says a friend performs improv there free of charge, sounding enthusiastic.
- Recommendsu/42_and_lex in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2024
Agrees it's a favorite spot and mentions owning two anniversary shirts.
- Recommendsu/thatisnotmyknob in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2024
Recounts holding a birthday party there, suggesting a good experience.
Show all 12 cited comments
- Recommendsu/Fantastic_Ginger34 in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2024
Says they like the bar without having visited it.
- Recommendsu/uwsgal03 in r/FoodNYC · Jan 2024
Calls Otto's Shrunken Head more divey, yet praises its drinks and atmosphere.
- Mixedu/Proud-Wrongdoer5053 in r/AskNYC · Oct 2026ambience
Comfortable drinking alone there, but its festive vibe makes crying hard.
- Recommendsu/Competitive_Can_9397 in r/AskNYC · Aug 2026
Found it just fine at first, but a back-room band made the night great.
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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.