Lions Bar, East Village
21 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/FoodNYC, r/AskNYC24 comments cited below
What people say, in short
The Lions Bar in the East Village is recommended for a thicker, classic pub burger, with one diner comparing it favorably to Red Hook Tavern. Burger-and-martini combinations also have fans. One visitor found the patty dry and mediocre, and another describes a long wait and crowded room. A separate diner particularly likes the flaky salt on the cheese.
Address
The Lions Bar & Grill, 132 1st Ave, New York, NY 10009
At a glance
- Price
- Mid-range
- Signature dishes
- Classic burger, Thick steakhouse style burger
- Opinions divided
- Yes
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Lions Bar, East Village, 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/Killercars444 in r/FoodNYC · Apr 2025
Names The Lion's Bar in the East Village as a burger recommendation.
- Recommendsu/fuzzy_zoo in r/FoodNYC · May 2025taste
Suggests The Lion's Bar and Grill in the East Village, praising the burger and calling the martinis hits.
- Recommendsu/bruiserbrody45 in r/FoodNYC · Dec 2024
Describes The Lions as a no-frills bar serving a classic burger.
- Recommendsu/verbsandruins in r/FoodNYC · Aug 2025
Suggested as an answer to the burger question.
- Recommendsu/Bonerjellies in r/AskNYC · May 2024
Recommends it as a non-smash burger option.
- Mixedu/jellosghost in r/FoodNYC · Aug 2025taste
Better crust than Red Hook but fries felt like frozen supplier product.
- Recommendsu/reppynutz in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2025
Lists it among good burgers.
- Recommendsu/c0ughdrpz in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2026
Calls it excellent.
Show all 24 cited comments
- Mixedu/kpscl in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2026wait time
Warns of a long wait and a crowded young TikTok crowd spilling beers.
- Recommendsu/ExistingLow in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2026value
Recommends it for a thick steakhouse or pub burger at a decent price, close enough to Red Hook Tavern.
- Recommendsu/Odd-Ground-260 in r/FoodNYC · Mar 2026taste
Calls it their favorite, noting flaky salt on the cheese.
- Recommendsu/aschapm in r/FoodNYC · May 2025
Maybe not the absolute best but very good.
- Recommendsu/JipZ187 in r/FoodNYC · Mar 2025taste
Says a previous visit to The Lions was fantastic.
- Recommendsu/DallYe in r/FoodNYC · Dec 2024
Lists Lions bar among burger suggestions.
- Recommendsu/therockstarpotato in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2025
Agrees it is one of the best.
- Recommendsu/pink3rbellx in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2025
Close behind their top picks.
- Recommendsu/No_Box515 in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2024
Lists The Lions Bar & Grill among recommendations.
- Recommendsu/merkmerthews in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2024price
Says it is in your price range.
- Recommendsu/ballerhaller in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2024
Names Portrait Bar or The Lions as possible choices.
- Recommendsu/nightkhan in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2024
Suggests the Lions Bar Burger in the East Village with a review link.
- Recommendsu/008Gerrard008 in r/FoodNYC · Jul 2024taste
Describes a nice pub doing great burgers and cocktails, walkable to comedy cellar.
- Recommendsu/SnarkyBehindTheStick in r/AskNYC · Apr 2024
Names The Lions as a burger recommendation.
- Recommendsu/empanadaboy68 in r/FoodNYC · Sep 2025
Endorses Lions Bar as a burger suggestion.
- Caveatu/nicko0409 in r/FoodNYC · Apr 2025taste
Found the burger mediocre and dry even at medium well.
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Freshness
Details last checked 10 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.