The 55 Bar

Words can't describe how saddened I am that this place has closed. I learned to appreciate Jazz at this place when I moved from California to New York back in 2009. Saw incredible performances by the likes of Robert Glasper here. Played spin the bottle in the back (sorry owners! I know it's not that type of place), celebrated birthdays here and stopped by alone after long days at work to Catch a show and escape. One of the places that makes me light up when speaking of it. I've since moved from NYC back to the bay, but think of this space often and make a point to visit whenever I'm back. Saddened to learn that it closed the week prior to my last visit. Thanks for the memories.

On 10/3/21, sent this to Yelp:

I'm on my way to work right now, but we've been open since June and are open 365 days of the year...barring pandemics.
Please confirm w/the owner...
Not closed, no phone#, just slightly adjusted hours.
Thanks!
See IG for many video excepts over the past summer.
https://www.instagram.com/the55bar/

This place has live music 7 nights a week.

I love the decor and atmosphere..!

Some Tips:
-The bar is cash only.
-This is a small subterranean club. Get there early and get in line if you want a good seat.
-The September night we went it was extremely hot in there. The AC wasn't working and it was packed. Be prepared for it possibly being very hot.
-They don't have any food so eat before you come.
-This place is for serious music fans. Out of respect for the musicians there is no talking right before and during the sets. Act accordingly.

Go check it out! And leave a huge tip. ;-)

It's a jazz dive bar. Don't expect amenities other than damn good jazz in an intimate atmosphere. The quality of the entertainment for the price you pay is one NYC's greatest bargains.

This bar felt like a big hug. I passed it on the way to Jeffrey's Grocery and after dinner came in with my friend. It's a jazz dive bar, in New York. I can't even express how grateful I am places like this still exist. There is so much atmosphere, the whole place smells like a basement from the 1970's, a smell that reminds me of childhood, you completely stop smelling it after 10 minutes. Wood everywhere. White icicle lights twinkling magic in the small room full of soulful notes.

We were lucky enough to see KJ Denhert, a warm, soulful musician with a presence that fills the room who has been playing at 55 Bar for 20 years. "You could say, we're written into these walls..." I don't know how often she plays "Esmeralda", but request it if you see her, it's a beautiful song about friendship.

Drinks are expensive and their custom cocktail menu questionable. My friend ordered one while I got a Stella - $23 total and her drink was terrible. No matter, stick with beer or basics and you'll be fine. As for the prices, there is a 2 drink minimum after you pay the $15 cover for the band and the prices aren't listed on the menus - they're making money. They play live music every night of the week, no one is doing that in this city. Pre-game, and help keep them around. Much love.

Amazing music at a reasonable price! Always treated customers and artists like gold!!! Please support the go fund me campagn to keep this venue open for creative music in the village!!

With love-
Rachel Z

The 55 Bar is NOT closed. There is still live music every night. This designation needs to be changed.

Music good, bartender not so good. No prices posted on drinks but he quoted one price before I ordered and then quoted a higher price on the bill. He forgot his own lie, and it was obvious that he charges based on how much he thinks you can pay. I paid it anyway and left him zero tip as a way of coming out even on his dishonesty.

The owner should learn how to run a business. This type of "charge what you want" policy does not create repeat customers. Too bad because I thought the venue was awesome. Oh, the drinks were watered down af. Most expensive water I ever bought.

Please also see other 3 star (and below) reviews to confirm that my negative experience with this bar isn't isolated.

Music is usually pretty good (as is the crowd and general ambience), BUT the guy at the door will make you pay cover for a performance he knows is about to end, and if you go back and point out that you paid $15 for just 8 minutes of live music, he'll shrug and give you a "it is what it is" response. This has happened to me twice already, and I have since stopped going (and bringing my friends/fellow jazz lovers) to 55 Bar.

A business that actually cared about their customers' experience would offer a refund or at least a complimentary (or at worst, discounted) entry to another show. Still, I don't blame the business owners for this so much, they just hired an asshole of a doorman/ticket collector/bouncer wannabe. But hopefully this review makes them aware of this, and hopefully they care enough to tell their employee "stop being an asshole and don't charge people full cover when you know the performance is practically over".

Bartender is also a total dick most of the time, and although he is never very nice, it's still a pleasant surprise when he's NOT a dick.

Also, they take cash only (for the cover as well as the bar) which means you can't dispute the charge.

I would recommend Smalls down the block, where the cover is also good for entry into Mezzrow, their sister bar right down the street. They take cards (for the cover as well as the bar), have fantastic talent, the staff is nice, and the drinks are similarly priced or cheaper than 55 Bar. Much better experience across the board.

A friend and I came here for a Monday night jazz show and as we were charged a $10 cover, were told that the bar is also cash only, and directed to two banks in the area.

Returning with cash and tickets in hand, we made our way downstairs into the bar. Since the show was starting, we ordered the first of the two drink set minimum at the bar and waited for a more appropriate time to move to sit next to our friends. Ordering separately, but getting charged together, my friend ended up paying for the first round.

After we moved to a table next to our friends, we settled in for the show. A talented group, it was enjoyable. And since there was table service, we ordered our second round from a friendly server, who also brought water for us upon request.

All in all, The 55 Bar is A-OK.