upstate craft beer & oyster bar

95 1st Ave., New York
(646) 791-5400

Recent Reviews

Kat Arcangeles

the oysters were so fresh they started talking to each

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 5

Service: 4

Rich Wolf Rubel

Love the $12 for 6 great oysters and choice of beer (chocolate stout rocks). Got surf & turf with delish shrimp and potatoes but steak a little tough. I'd go back and get a different entree.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 4

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Craft Beer, Oyster Selection

Conor Garvin

Bartender was unwelcoming, rude, and wildly unprofessional.

Atmosphere: 1

Service: 1

Patrick W (PatrickfromMunich)

Sensationell- very fresh, great service, excellent food, Great value for money.

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Ryan Levine

Awesome spot for unique seafood dishes. Highly recommend the squid ink and roe pasta!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Whiskey Cake

D O

I've visited this oyster bar countless times over the decade I've lived in New York. However, our last visit on February 24, 2024, marked a disappointing change.Disappointment 1 - Unequal Treatment: Discrimination Against AsiansWe had reserved a table for three at 5 but arrived 15 minutes late due to weekend traffic. Despite the restaurant being nearly empty at 5:15 PM—with only one table occupied in the dining room and the bar area deserted—the receptionist informed us they could no longer hold our table due to our tardiness, offering seating around the bar or outside. Given the cold day, we preferred not to sit outdoors, so I politely inquired if we could wait at the bar for a dining room table to become available. The receptionist refused, stating that table assignments could not be altered once guests were seated. (Ironically, later, we observed a Caucasian couple being reseated upon request.)Attempting to resolve the reservation issue, I successfully booked another table for three at 5:30 through Google. However, upon showing this to the receptionist, she dismissed it, claiming no tables were available. Doubtful of her honesty, we were advised to return at 6:30 PM when she assured us seating would be available. So we waited next door at The Headless Widow. During our wait, I secured another reservation for 6:15 PM and returned to the oyster bar at 6:00 PM to check on our seating. Surprisingly, at 6:07 PM, the receptionist seated us as if the previous booking issues never existed.Disappointment 2 - Unfair Bill & Bad ServiceAfter we were seated, I ordered 4 happy hour combos with wine, my go-to order at this restaurant. The server typically takes the 4 glasses of wine order as a bottle. Later, we ordered another set of 4 happy hour combos with wine. The waitress promptly brought the second bottle accompanying our meal. However, the oysters did not arrive after a 40-minute wait. I informed the waiter in the restaurant that we wished to cancel our oysters due to the lengthy wait, and he assured us it was no problem. Shortly after, the waitress approached our table aggressively, stating we could not cancel the oyster order since the wine bottle had already been delivered and accusing me of being inconsiderate despite our 40-minute wait.I explained that I had already canceled the order with the waiter and would not pay for items we never received. She then angrily presented us with the check, which still included the 8 happy hour combos with wine.I told her that in this case, I was expecting to pay only for four happy hour combos with wine + a bottle of wine. She then reacted with a tantrum, disputing the equivalence of four glasses of wine to a bottle and demanding payment for the incorrect bill. After going back and forth, she finally agreed to adjust the bill, yelled at me, saying forget about the tips, and wished me to leave ASAP.Disappointment 3 - Deliberate Damage to My CardAfter paying the bill with our card, we didn't use the same card for several days. It wasn't until today that I discovered the chip on our card had been deliberately damaged. Deep scratches are visible on the chip, as shown in the picture. Clearly, the damage occurred on the day we dined at the restaurant after we handed in the card for the bill. It was such low-class behavior, something I would never have expected to experience in a restaurant that I used to love visiting.Experiences like these tarnish a business's reputation and highlight the urgent need to address issues of discrimination. I urge the management to investigate these incidents, take appropriate action against such discriminatory practices, and ensure that all customers feel welcomed and valued. Let this be a turning point towards a more inclusive and respectful dining experience for everyone.

Atmosphere: 1

Food: 3

Service: 1

Giselle So86

Amazing spot with great seafood selection. Oyster are to die for and crab cakes are super delish!!!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Crab Cakes, Pound Cake, Tuna Tartare, Craft Beer, Clams

Thomas Choi

the excitement of eating at this restaurant has woken me up in the morning. my day was filled with the adrenaline from anticipation for dinner time. the reservation was made over the phone over two weeks ago and since then i have been like a rabid bog chained up with a piece of oyster dangling just out of reach. after work i sprint to catch the train, im squirming in my seat with a smile stretched across my face when i feel my phone vibrating in my pocket. I almost wish i hadnt looked at my phone, and lived blissfully in ignorance just a little bit longer. When i read the notification on my phone that my reservation was canceled, i was stun-locked. The weight of my phone became unbearable and it slips through my fingers and falls onto the floor with a muffled thud. I feel the strength in my knees drain and my legs buckle, I’m on the floor. Maniacal mumbling creates an aura of insanity around my crouched body. “surely this isn’t real…. how can they cancel a reservation made over two weeks in advance?” I manage to limp and crawl to the restaurant with the last remaining strength I have left, probably from the sliver of hope that there must have been some sort of error with the booking. I approach the host and the only words i was able to manage was hello and my name. before I was able to inquire about my canceled reservation, I was berated by the host, “why are you here without your full party!? don’t waste my time!” followed by a scoff and an eye roll. They turned around and walked back into the restaurant before i could even respond. I felt a pain deep inside my chest, and my throat began to close up. I was on the verge of tears but no tears came out. This pain was beyond sadness, it was despair, a complete and utter shattering of my faith. I hope no other patron of this establishment ever goes through the heartbreak and mistreatment that I went through. I wouldnt even wish it on my worst enemy.

Guy Mishani

Just had dinner here at the bar on a Monday . All I can say is it’s an ACE, fat oysters , amazing tapas and dishes . If u like seafood and prefer not to break ur bank account . U come here and enjoy ur self . Looking forward to my cigarette!! Thank u .

David navarro

Way to crowded, the food it's amazing, the service is great but you are confined into little tables and every body bump into each other because the lack of space.Wheelchair accessibility: Way to crowded for a wheelchair

Atmosphere: 3

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Escargot, Beer Steamed Mussels or Clams, Grilled Octopus

JustinC

One of the worst dining experiences I've had. If they try to stick you next to the curtain that separates the dining area from the front entrance, don't do it. We were bumped into while seated, without exaggeration, two dozen times. The hostess did nothing to dissuade this, and she herself bumped into me and made no acknowledgment of this. Bottom line, the place is far too cramped and this are of the restaurant simply can't accommodate a table. Past that, the oysters were good but everything else was underwhelming. I ordered the oysters for my main; there were four of them in there. Our server was very good, but again, the hostess was rude and dismissive. I can't in good conscience recommend this restaurant. We couldn't leave fast enough.

Reservation at 7, but we were seated at 8.10 and made to stand outside in the cold. When I asked for a dirty glass to be replaced the stroppy waitress yelled at me that a “glass is a glass” and practically threw another one at me. Food used to be top notch, was just ok.

Saori Ushimi

The happy hour oysters seem to be very popular.The oysters are small and refreshing.It might be too refreshing for people who like creamy oysters. But it's cheap, so you can eat it like a snack.There are many other delicious menu items.Cured Salmon was also delicious.The atmosphere of the restaurant is casual and very nice.The store staff are also professional and very kind!They gave me extra drinks and served me pound cake!

S S

I went at the recommendation of a friend.I went during happy hour, so I was able to get oysters and beer at a great price.The taste of oyster is honestly average. I felt that the food at other restaurants was better.After all, I think you can eat more delicious oysters in the summer.The pasta isn't bad either, but it's average.Even though it was recommended to me, my impression is that it's average, so I'm thinking of going again in the summer.The cake they served us was delicious.

Atmosphere: 4

Food: 3

Service: 4

Yongjae Im

Finally visited here, and the vibe was great. It was neither too loud nor too crowded. We accidentally sat on the bar side, but the owner and servers were super nice. We tried some sample beers, and the server gave us a free whiskey cake, which was the perfect finish to our meal. I don’t remember the name of the beer with coffee flavor, but I want to try it on my next visit!

Atmosphere: 5

Food: 5

Service: 5

Recommended dishes: Whiskey Cake, Oyster Special

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upstate craft beer & oyster bar

95 1st Ave., New York, NY 10003
(646) 791-5400