When asking yourself about something to do near me in New York with a group of friends or family, consider
The Crosby Bar
Why The Crosby Bar is a fun option when searching for things to do near me with friends and family
The Crosby Bar, located in the heart of Soho at the luxury Crosby Street Hotel, is a spacious and vibrant destination perfect for meeting up with friends. With its high ceilings, tall warehouse-style windows, and light-filled interiors overlooking leafy garden views, the bar offers a breezy and inviting atmosphere. The stylish decor features grey oak floors and a long pewter bar that spans from Crosby Street to Lafayette Street, making it an architecturally impressive and comfortable space. Guests can enjoy a variety of experiences here—from a relaxed brunch or indulgent afternoon tea with a wide tea selection and champagne, to a lively dinner with offerings like tuna tartare and duck confit. Its versatility makes it ideal whether you're looking for a casual meet-up spot or an elegant venue for special occasions. Friendly and attentive service complements the well-curated food and drink menus, which boast well-prepared classic dishes and unique cocktails, including the renowned espresso martinis. Located discreetly behind a sunken patio on Lafayette Street, The Crosby Bar manages to balance exclusivity with a convivial, welcoming vibe, attracting a diverse crowd including local regulars and visitors alike. Its prime Soho location places it within easy reach of iconic New York neighborhoods rich in dining and shopping options.
Here's what people think of The Crosby Bar
As of recent, The Crosby Bar holds a 4.4-star rating based on 318 reviews.
User reviews consistently highlight The Crosby Bar's appealing ambiance, superb service, and excellent food quality. Many reviewers praise the spacious and bright environment, chic decor, and the attentive, friendly staff who enhance the overall experience. The afternoon tea service receives particular acclaim for its tasty finger sandwiches, scones, and wide selection of teas, even if some desserts are noted to be a bit too sweet by a few guests. Positive feedback celebrates not only the food but also the comfortable seating and the bar’s vibrant yet relaxed atmosphere, making it ideal for socializing or enjoying a luxurious mid-day meal. Customers also appreciate the affordability relative to the high quality and prime Soho location. On the negative side, occasional remarks mention the high demand and busy weekends, making reservations essential to avoid waiting. Some desserts' sweetness level was found overwhelming by a few, and a minority found the exclusivity and pricing a bit intimidating. However, these critiques are far outweighed by the positive remarks. Overall, reviews paint The Crosby Bar as a favorite destination for both casual and sophisticated outings with friends, combining an elegant setting, delicious offerings, and warm hospitality to create memorable experiences.
Highlights from reviewers (Most Relevant)
Kate M
One of the prettiest and coziest places I’ve ever been to. First of all, host staff was amazing, we had to update our reservation for afternoon tea multiple times and ended up showing up early and they were still understanding, welcoming and gracious. From the moment we walked in, everything was just beautiful! Roman was our server and he was super on point, his teammates were all ready to assist and we had someone come by to just check in to make sure everything was going well. Pastries were decadent, sandwiches - fresh and filling and the scones were THE BEST! The selection of tea was nice and we were able to get more hot water. Definitely will be back when in the city.
Lisa Kim
I was genuinely looking forward to afternoon tea at the Crosby Bar, but unfortunately, it fell well short of expectations. The sandwiches were all dried out, lacking both freshness and flavor. The selection of sweets also seemed past their best—definitely not freshly made. While the scones were passable and the tea itself was just okay, it's hard to overlook the fact that the cup and saucer were dusty, which really detracted from the overall experience. Service was decent, but nothing particularly attentive or memorable—and certainly not reflective of the price point. Overall, I left feeling disappointed. Afternoon tea should feel like a treat, but this experience missed the mark.
M K
Amazing afternoon experience! The experience comes with your choice of tea, and prefix afternoon course with three plates including a variety of sandwiches, scones, and sweets. The china were so cute matching the cute interior of the restaurant. The sandwiches were so flavorful. We get our own tea pot with hot water available for refill. I was so full I had to take home half of the desserts! Make sure to get a reservation in advance!
Haim Haviv
Had Brunch on a weekend. Good food, attentive service and beautiful place with lots of charm. The Yogurt and Granola Bowl was perfect with crisp granola and fresh fruit.
Vernetta Deshommes
First, when you walk in, it is absolutely beautiful. The hostess was friendly and immediately walked us to our table. She later turned out to be, Destiny, the manager. We found that out when she came by to check on us 45 minutes into our Afternoon Tea. The experience was relaxing and fun. We were seated in a room in front of the fire place with the aroma of fresh flowers throughout. Our server, Roberto, was top tier. He was patient, accommodating and made great suggestions. Lastly, the food. The afternoon tea my daughter described it as Devine. I suggest ordering an afternoon tea and a few brunch options. The pigs in the blanket and the burger were great. DO NOT LEAVE WITHOUT GETTING THE MULBERRY MULE mocktail. I usually think mocktails are silly, but this one here... oh boy!!! Ultimately, great experience, food and service.
How to reach The Crosby Bar
None
Website: None
Why The Crosby Bar may become Your Favorite Meetup Place for Catching Up, Celebrating or Just Hanging Out
Why rally at The Crosby Bar with your friends? The Crosby Bar in SoHo, New York City, offers an inviting and stylish ambiance that perfectly suits gathering with friends or family. Situated discreetly behind a sunken patio on Lafayette Street within the Crosby Street Hotel, it boasts a colorful, spacious interior with plush, rainbow-colored seating that instantly sets a relaxed yet chic mood. This versatility attracts a diverse crowd, from art lovers to young professionals, making it a lively place to share memorable moments. Whether you’re catching up over an afternoon tea or unwinding on a Saturday night with cocktails, the bar’s atmosphere strikes a balance between comfort and sophistication. The attentive and friendly staff enhance the experience by ensuring personalized service, which makes large or small groups feel right at home. With a solid overall rating of 4.4 from over 300 reviews, guests consistently praise the combination of great food, drinks, and ambiance. This makes The Crosby Bar an excellent meetup spot, where conversations flow as smoothly as signature cocktails, and the venue’s unique vibe encourages lingering and laughter, creating the perfect setting for reconnecting with friends or celebrating special occasions.
What activities can groups enjoy at The Crosby Bar? The bar is well known for serving a variety of standout experiences that cater to different tastes and times of day. A favorite activity is enjoying the elegant afternoon tea, which includes freshly baked warm scones, delicate finger sandwiches, and a selection of sweets like caramelized apple tartelettes and chocolate whoopie pies. The tea service features loose leaf teas steeped at the table, allowing guests to savor a classic yet elevated tradition. For those who prefer a spirited twist, champagne can accompany the tea, adding a touch of celebration. Besides tea, The Crosby Bar offers a full dining menu featuring refined dishes such as tuna tartare and duck confit, which makes it a great brunch or dinner destination for groups craving quality food in a comfortable setting. Cocktails are another highlight, with signature drinks inspired by other Firmdale hotel bars adding a creative flair and variety to the menu. The bar often buzzes with energy on weekend nights, providing a vibrant environment ideal for socializing, hearing local stories, or even people-watching that adds entertainment to your gathering. Overall, the range of dining and drinking options, along with the venue's relaxed yet polished vibe, makes it perfectly suited for hosting group meetups.
Why is The Crosby Bar especially ideal for a group meetup? One of The Crosby Bar’s strongest assets is its spacious layout and comfortable seating arrangements. Unlike cramped city bars, it offers roomy spots with cushy, colorful couches and chairs that encourage lingering conversations and group dynamics. This spaciousness is important for groups wanting to avoid feeling rushed or cramped, allowing everyone to move freely and engage comfortably. The setting's versatile design can easily accommodate casual brunches or more formal celebrations, meaning your meetup can organically shape itself to your group’s mood and purpose. Moreover, the attentive staff provide excellent service that supports group needs, from managing reservations to recommending menu items for sharing. The bar’s location in SoHo adds an extra layer of appeal due to its surrounding vibrant neighborhood filled with shops, galleries, and quiet streets, helping groups combine their meetup with exploring the city. The boutique hotel setting brings an atmosphere of exclusivity without being stuffy, enhancing your sense of privacy and style while remaining inviting and lively enough to make hangouts fun and relaxed.
How is the food and drink experience suitable for groups at The Crosby Bar? The Crosby Bar has curated a menu that balances sophistication with approachable flavors, making it appealing for a variety of group preferences. The afternoon tea service is designed for sharing, with plates of freshly baked scones, finger sandwiches filled with flavorful ingredients, and a selection of sweets that invite conversation over bites and sips. When dining, the bar offers a range of small plates and entrees like tuna tartare or duck confit, which can be perfect for sharing or ordering individually, allowing groups to tailor their meal depending on appetite and occasion. Cocktail options are especially notable, with creative mixes and classics served in a visually attractive way, making the drink experience memorable and social. The staff’s attentiveness, such as offering additional servings during afternoon tea, creates a sense of generosity and warmth that is often appreciated in group settings. The balance of food quality, drink variety, and personalized service ensures that everyone can find something enjoyable, promoting collective satisfaction that strengthens the meetup mood.
What makes the ambiance and location of The Crosby Bar appealing for meetups? The atmosphere combines a chic, colorful interior with an easy-going, slightly eclectic vibe, making it instantly welcoming and comfortable for groups. High ceilings and a bright, spacious layout contribute to a light and airy feeling, avoiding the cramped or noisy environments that can sometimes hinder group conversations. The upscale yet unpretentious decor, including plush seating and aesthetic touches like plants and patterned furnishings, creates a luxe hotel bar experience without the stiffness of formal fine dining. Moreover, its location in the heart of SoHo gives the added benefit of being near multiple cultural and shopping destinations, so groups can make a full day or evening of their meetup — starting with lunch or tea at the bar, then moving on to explore nearby galleries, boutiques, or other attractions. The combination of an inspiring interior, excellent location, and a welcoming social scene means The Crosby Bar provides not just a place to meet, but a whole experience that feels stylish, relaxing, and inclusive.
How does The Crosby Bar’s reputation and reviews influence the decision to host a meetup there? With a solid rating of 4.4 out of 5 based on over 300 reviews, the bar has established a reliable reputation among New Yorkers and visitors alike. Reviewers consistently praise the quality of the food, the attentive and friendly service, and the stylish yet inviting ambiance that caters well to groups. Comments highlight the bar's excellent afternoon tea and praise it as a go-to spot for special occasions or simply an elegant casual hangout. While some mention that weekends can get busy, the consensus is that reservations and a bit of planning make the experience worthwhile. This accumulation of positive feedback signals to potential visitors that The Crosby Bar is trusted and well-liked, minimizing the risk of disappointing the group. Its status as part of the renowned Crosby Street Hotel also adds a layer of assurance about service and quality standards. For anyone choosing a venue for a social gathering, this consistent level of positive reviews instills confidence that the meetup will be enjoyable and memorable for all attendees.
In short, The Crosby Bar provides an exceptional setting that combines stylish, comfortable space, versatile dining and drinking options, and a relaxed yet sophisticated atmosphere. It caters seamlessly to groups looking for everything from casual brunches to elegant afternoon teas and lively nightlife. Coupled with excellent service and a prime SoHo location, it stands out as a premier spot to rally with friends or family, making your group meetup not just an event but a delightful experience to savor.