Holiday Cocktail Lounge

4.6

13 Reviews

$30 and under

Cocktail Bar

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 19, 2025

7:00 p.m.

About this restaurant

Good for groups
Neighbourhood gem
Great for outdoor dining

Almost 100 years old, this iconic East Village watering hole has pioneered “Dive Elegance”, where craft cocktails and a warm welcome meet. The bar has been a gritty dive bar frequented in the 1990s by The Ramones and The Bouncing Souls, who immortalized it in their “Holiday Cocktail Lounge” song. In the 1980s, Madonna, Iggy Pop and Keith Richards frequented its bar stools. Poets Allen Ginsburg and W.H. Auden were regulars in the 1970s, as was Godlis, who documented the punk rock scene, Frank Sinatra and Shelly Winters made it their haunt in the 1960s. Holiday Cocktail Lounge opened in 1950, succeeding The Ali Baba Burlesque, which entertained guests in the 1940s. The venue began its libational history back in 1919 as a speakeasy hidden in Ann’s Beauty Shop, attracting the likes of Russian revolutionary Leon Trotsky during his East Village sojourn. It was the city’s 50th licensed bar when Prohibition ended in 1933. The building itself dates back to 1835.

Additional information

Location
75 Saint Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003-7944
Phone number
(212) 777-9637
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Cocktail Bar, American, Contemporary American
Hours of Operation
Mon–Sat 4:00 pm–2:00 am Sun 4:00 pm–12:00 am
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Drew McVety
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

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Pizza MargheritaUS$18.00
sour dough crust, fresh mozzarella, basil 14"
Cheese & CharcuterieUS$18.00
Great to share!
Brisket Burger Sliders
Brisket Burger tomato jam, pickle, cheese
- 3pcUS$13.00
Crispy Tofu Burger Sliders
crispy marinated tofu, wasabi relish, sriracha, peppers
- 3pcUS$13.00
Venison & Beef ChiliUS$13.00
crema mexicana, adironack cheddar
Roasted Beet SaladUS$13.00
goat cheese, almonds
Holiday Crispy WingsUS$13.00
choose: Naked, Soy Glaze, Buffalo & house ranch
Giant PretzelUS$13.00
garlic butter, beer cheese, & housemade mustard

Sweets

Fried OreosUS$8.00
with boozy whipped cream
Smore's NachosUS$13.00
graham crackers, marshmallows & chocolate baked into a pile o' nachos in our pizza oven

What 13 people are saying

Holiday Cocktail Lounge reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6

4.6 based on all time ratings

4.3Food
4.6Service
4.5Ambience
4.4Value

Noise • Moderate

13 Reviews

OT
OpenTable Diner
New York City1 review
5.0
Dined on April 7, 2024
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This place was a gem. The food was excellent and the vibe was something to experience
Is this helpful?
OT
OpenTable Diner
Greater Boston8 reviews
5.0
Dined on November 5, 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Cory was a fantastic bartender. One of the best!! She made me a perfect classic Manhattan that was delicious.
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BC
BigCdub
Denver17 reviews
5.0
Dined on January 6, 2023
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
This bar is so much fun! Great staff, great music and tasty cocktails.
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L
Luculla
London6 reviews
4.0
Dined on November 19, 2022
1. Overall 4
2. Food 3
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Great atmosphere sweet service - good margaritas - thanks
Is this helpful?
MC
MC213
New York City11 reviews
5.0
Dined on September 24, 2021
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
It’s a fun place! Great location, bartender and waitstaff All very friendly.
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CP
CheesePlease11217
New York City8 reviews
5.0
Dined on May 7, 2021
1. Overall 5
2. Food 4
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Service was lovely and attentive. Drinks and food were good and the patio out back is wonderful. Looking forward to our next visit!
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A
Anna
New York City1 review
5.0
Dined on April 10, 2021
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Very cozy and interesting. Definitely coming back!
Is this helpful?
DJ
DJB77 VIP
New York City1 review
5.0
Dined on April 3, 2021
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
Charcuterie board was fantastic! Enjoyed the cocktails as well.
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c
chiller40
New York City9 reviews
4.0
Dined on March 19, 2021
1. Overall 4
2. Food 4
3. Service 4
4. Ambience 4
Strong drinks, good food and they have knowledge staff
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N
Nicole VIP
New York City27 reviews
5.0
Dined on February 15, 2021
1. Overall 5
2. Food 5
3. Service 5
4. Ambience 5
I came with three friends for Valentines Day (singles woohooo) and we had a blast. We sat outside in the garden, were comfy under heaters, and thought it was so cute out back. The vibes are super chill. Our server was fun and attentive. We loved the fried pickles, the wings, the pickle and olive plate, and the french fries. The espresso martinis were delicious-- brought us back to our middle school days drinking Starbucks Frappucinos. So fun. We can't wait to come back, especially when it's warm out and the garden will be truly adorable.
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FAQs

Holiday Cocktail Lounge offers takeout which you can order by calling the restaurant at (212) 777-9637.

Holiday Cocktail Lounge is rated 4.6 stars by 13 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

Make a reservation

2 people

Mar 19, 2025

7:00 p.m.

75 Saint Marks Pl, New York, NY 10003-7944

Additional information

Phone number
(212) 777-9637
Price
$30 and under
Cuisines
Cocktail Bar, American, Contemporary American
Hours of Operation
Mon–Sat 4:00 pm–2:00 am Sun 4:00 pm–12:00 am
Dress code
Casual Dress
Parking details
Street Parking
Payment Options
AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
Executive Chef
Drew McVety
Delivery & takeout
Order direct

Featured in

Where to drink in New York City right now

Holiday Cocktail Lounge

Make a reservation

About this restaurant

Additional information

Featured in

Where to drink in New York City right now

Menu

Small Bites & Snacks

Chicken Noodle SoupUS$8.00

Wagyu Corn Dog BitesUS$8.00

Fried PicklesUS$8.00

Pickle PlateUS$8.00

Holiday FriesUS$8.00

Large Bites

Pizza MargheritaUS$18.00

Cheese & CharcuterieUS$18.00

Brisket Burger Sliders

Crispy Tofu Burger Sliders

Venison & Beef ChiliUS$13.00

Roasted Beet SaladUS$13.00

Holiday Crispy WingsUS$13.00

Giant PretzelUS$13.00

Sweets

Fried OreosUS$8.00

Smore's NachosUS$13.00

What 13 people are saying

Overall ratings and reviews

FAQs

Does Holiday Cocktail Lounge offer delivery through OpenTable or takeout?

How is Holiday Cocktail Lounge restaurant rated?

Is Holiday Cocktail Lounge currently accepting reservations?

Make a reservation

Additional information

Featured in

Where to drink in New York City right now