Restaurant

The Penrose Bar

YorkvilleManhattan

4.4· 2,424 reviewsOpen until 4AM
The Penrose Bar — restaurant — in Yorkville — Manhattan — NYC
The Penrose Bar interior — Yorkville

Yorkville

Manhattan

The brief

About The Penrose Bar

Old-fashioned cocktails & a hefty beer & whiskey list, set amid reclaimed wood & vintage wallpaper.

Community Rating

4.4

out of 5

2,424 community reviews

Rating aggregated from community reviews across platforms. Read full reviews on Google or Yelp for detailed diner experiences.

Community-sourced rating

Reviews

What diners say about The Penrose Bar

15 verified Google reviews · 15 with owner responses

4.5

15 reviews

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Mario Alex GonzalezLocal guide
a week ago

The Penrose is an awesome and cozy spot for breakfast, brunch, lunch or dinner! They have delicious food, fantastic service, and plenty of seating. Their drinks live up as well, so definitely check this place out.

Response from the owner

Thanks Mario!

David TorresLocal guide
3 weeks ago

Good vibes at this spot!!! I love the chill atmosphere of this establishment on the Upper east side of Manhattan! A new late night city spot for me. I’m Here on a random Wednesday with the bartender Delia is so chill; she gave me southern hospitality vibes in NYC & I love that!!! You must come check her & Grace out behind the bar!!! I highly recommend this place!!!

Response from the owner

Thanks David! We're big fans of those two as well, thank you for the shoutout. Hope to see you back here soon!

Alison MeehanLocal guide
2 months ago

What a cute restaurant! We sat in the back in a booth that had lovely vintage decor. The cocktails for brunch were delicious. The French toast sticks were so good, soft and crunchy at the same time. The fried pickles were great too, they really held their crunch and it all stayed together. The Benedict was good too, the greens under it were kind of browning, didn't love that as much, but it wouldn't stop me from going back.

Response from the owner

Thanks, Alison! So glad you loved the vintage vibes and brunch classics. We'll take a look at the greens—thanks for the heads up. Hope to see you again soon!

Bob DonohueLocal guide
2 months ago

I had a great experience at The Penrose Bar. Our waiter was attentive, friendly, and provided excellent service throughout the meal. The atmosphere was warm and inviting, making it a really enjoyable place to dine. The prices were very reasonable, especially considering the quality and portion sizes of the food. Everything we ordered was absolutely delicious, and the generous portions were a great bonus. I would definitely come back and highly recommend it to others.

Response from the owner

Bob! Thanks so much for the amazing review! We put a lot of love into everything we do here, so it means a lot to hear it all hit the spot. Can’t wait to see you again soon!

Amanda HahnLocal guide
2 months ago

Super cool spot with a delicious pickle martini. Went in with 4 people and grabbed a seat at the bar in the back. Good vibes and nice staff!

Response from the owner

Thanks so much for stopping by, Amanda. Hope to see you again soon!

Jessica Duggan
3 months ago

I hosted my sister's baby shower here at the Penrose in the back room. From start to finish, Meg has been incredible and absolutely lovely to work with. She answered all of my questions promptly. The event was a hit and the guests had a great time. The bartender and server for the party were awesome. The food was amazing! We only had about 20 minutes to set up the space but they were so helpful and willing to go beyond to make sure everything looked good. I would highly recommend!

Response from the owner

Thanks so much, Jessica! It was a pleasure working with you. Can’t wait to see you again soon for some martinis! 🍸

Will PappasLocal guide
3 months ago

This restaurant is manly known as a quaint first date spot or a late night drinks destination. However, the Penrose has an underrated weekend brunch menu with a lively atmosphere and delicious creative food. The service can be slightly slow but understandable considering the crowds. It can also be a bit loud in the weekend but if that’s the vibe you’re going for, this won’t disappoint. The decor around the walls can also be very interesting if you take the time to look around.

Response from the owner

Thanks for the awesome shoutout and great photos! We'll take all your thoughts into consideration on how to improve the experience. Hope to see you again soon, Will!

El WillyLocal guide
3 months ago

My wife and I are having a New York City anniversary trip this week. We find this place because what's a suggestion from Google Gemini. We were just looking for the place to have a beer. We aint having a great dinner. And the most delicious key lime pie. Sorry for the photo. It test much better than this ugly photo. Is the only dessert they have. You must try it. Yes... food is good... but try the pie!!!!

Response from the owner

Thanks so much and happy anniversary, Willy! So glad we could be part of your special day!

CPark EastLocal guide
3 months ago

Green kitchen was packed so out of nostalgia we stoped at the the empty Penrose for lunch on a weekday. Services was horrible. The bartender was rude, server never checked on us and the busboy was angry. In this economy you’d think the servers would be more courteous.<br><br>Food was good and the drink was strong but I can taste the cheap liquor the used for the cocktail.

Response from the owner

Hello and thank you for your feedback. We aim for friendly service with premium food and drink, so please reach out to me via info@penrosebar.com with any specifics so I can really dive in. <br><br>We'll address this with the team to ensure everyone feels welcome and taken care of. Hope you'll give us another chance!

VictorandmanuelaLocal guide
7 months ago

My experience at The Penrose was very good.<br><br>We had a few cocktails — they were excellent, though a bit pricey at around $16 each. The quality is definitely there; both the food and drinks were great, and the staff was very friendly.<br><br>I think this is a perfect spot for a date, a special night out with friends, or simply if you’re looking for a great cocktail experience.<br><br>It can get a bit noisy, which makes conversation a little difficult at times — but that’s only because the place is so popular.<br><br>Overall, I definitely recommend it, just keep in mind it’s on the expensive side.

Response from the owner

Thanks for the awesome shoutout! So glad you enjoyed everything and are letting people know how things go here. Hope to see you again soon!

Mucahit EgeLocal guide
8 months ago

We stopped by The Penrose for a late lunch after celebrating our friends’ wedding ceremony in Brooklyn — and honestly, what a gem! ✨<br><br>The vibe here is just perfect: warm lighting, upbeat music, friendly staff, and that true neighborhood energy that makes you feel instantly comfortable.<br><br>I ordered the Penrose Dry Aged Burger & Fries, cooked medium — and it was incredible. Perfectly juicy, full of flavor, and easily one of the best burgers I’ve had in the city. We shared a few plates for the table, including the Spinach & Artichoke Dip and the Mac & Cheese — both were creamy, rich, and full of comfort. My wife had the Kale Caesar, topped with roasted chicken, and she absolutely loved it — super fresh, crisp, and perfectly dressed.<br><br>I didn’t have any alcohol, just a club soda, but even that hit the spot — cold, bubbly, and refreshing.<br><br>Everything about this place just feels right — from the food to the service to the atmosphere.<br>If you’re anywhere near the Upper East Side, The Penrose is 100% worth a visit. We’ll definitely be coming back.

Response from the owner

Mucahit, this review has us smiling from ear to ear! <br>So glad you found us. <br>Thanks for spreading the word and hope to see you again soon!

Bry TLocal guide
8 months ago

I recently visited The Penrose in New York City, and overall I’d say it was a solid experience with a few areas that could use improvement. The atmosphere is definitely one of the highlights it has that warm, rustic vibe that makes you feel comfortable whether you’re stopping in for a casual drink with friends or sitting down for a meal. It strikes a nice balance between being lively and not overwhelmingly loud, which is always a plus in the city.<br><br>Starting with the drinks, they were definitely one of the stronger points of the night. The cocktails were well-crafted, balanced, and had a nice variety on the menu to suit different tastes. It’s the kind of place where you can easily spend time just enjoying a drink or two and feel like you’re getting something a bit more special than the standard bar mix.<br><br>Food wise, there were some hits and some misses. The lobster roll was quite good fresh, well seasoned, and satisfying without being overly heavy. I’d recommend it if you’re looking for something a bit indulgent but still classic. The Brussels sprouts, on the other hand, missed the mark for me. They had good flavor overall, but were a bit too salty, which made them less enjoyable than they could have been. It wasn’t enough to ruin the dish, but definitely noticeable.<br><br>Service was the biggest area that could use improvement. The staff wasn’t rude by any means, but the attentiveness wasn’t where it should be. At times it felt like it took longer than expected to get drinks or check in on the table, which is surprising considering how polished the rest of the place feels.<br><br>All in all, The Penrose has great drinks, a cozy vibe, and solid food with some standout items like the lobster roll. If the service gets more consistent and the kitchen eases up on the salt, it could easily be a go-to neighborhood favorite.

Response from the owner

Thanks for your thoughtful review, Bry. So glad you loved the vibe and our cocktails. We will take all your notes to heart and make some changes. Hope you'll come back soon so we can show you a more polished service. Cheers!

Elisa H.Local guide
9 months ago

Our party of eight found this place for a brunch option on a Monday morning. We made reservations and we’re taking to our seat quickly. The serving staff was kind and quick. The brunch menu had several options for those that eat meat those that don’t and those that don’t prefer breakfast items. The coffee was not very good. Our party ordered pancakes that were amazing. The burger was okay. The fried pickles that were some of the best I’ve ever had. The bacon , egg and cheese sandwich was the table favorite. We did try to break up our bill and the server didn’t seem to like that.

Response from the owner

Thanks for the great review, Elisa! So glad we could show you a good time on a Monday morning! We will look into the coffee and all your other notes. And yes, the bacon egg and cheese is a must try! Hope to see you again soon!

MkaureneLocal guide
a year ago

Oh my gosh..... the Penrose?! Lets go! ...literally. lets go to the Penrose because it is the bees knees! The food is next level.. when I lived in the UES I would pick up Penrose once a week maybe.. the shishito peppers, the popcorn chicken, even the homemade salt and vinegar chips.... e v e r y t h i n g there is amazing! I only sat in once, and our server Kelly made it a really great experience... huge shout out to Kelly! Whoever mixed the Pickle Martini is also getting a shout out and I wish I got the meet that person. Penrose is a highly recommended restaurant. During the day you likely won't have to wait long for a table, if at all so get in while you can! Can't wait to go back!

Response from the owner

Wow, Mkaurene, this review is a work of art! 🎨 So happy you love the Penrose as much as we do! Kelly's the best, so glad she took care of you! And yes, shout out to our bartenders too, they make the magic happen! Thanks for spreading the word and hope to see you again soon!

Tatiana SolanoLocal guide
a year ago

Such a good spot- definitely worth the hype! The servers and hostesses were so accommodating and approachable! Very knowledgeable on the wines and cocktails list! Food and as really delicious we got the cheese board-the spread was so well paired! The bang bang shrimp was good too! We just went for drink and apps but curious and will be back to try other items!

Response from the owner

Tatiana, thanks for stopping by and so glad you loved everything! The bang bang shrimp is a crowd favorite and the cheese board is always a good choice, great photos. See you next time!

Reviews sourced from Google. Displayed for informational purposes. Ratings reflect reviewer opinions at the time of posting.

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