The Wayland

Great people. Great music. Even on a Tuesday this place was what I had failed in trying to find since I started my night. Had a blast, bartenders legit and personable. Crowd is fun, funny, interesting. Weekday night it was legit open until close and 100% worth the trek. Shout out to Mack, Ruben, Pete for everything.

I love bars that specialize in craft cocktails. The bartender that was serving us seriously looked like my high school crush, and the fact that he was giving us attention just made me melt. The others were too busy and didn’t really care to, serve customers. –_–
I had a margarita that had kale juice in it, so I didn’t feel that horrible for drinking so much that night. It was actually very good. Not that I don’t like kale.
Not really a big space… and the finger foods were just alright. Nothing blew me away. We had sausage bread with olive oil which was interesting. And some chicken sandwich, but can’t remember exactly what it was called. Super juicy and messy. My friend ended up taking it to go.

This place is awesome. Great vibe. Bartenders are friendly. The food is on point. Try the sausage bread, pernil, or beast toast. Gotta try the smoky drink or t g eir old fashioned.

Did not have food but the cocktails were ridiculous! Small spot so get here early to have somewhere to sit.

I went here on a first date and it was pretty packed. Very classy-​chill vibe. I got the I Hear Banjos Encore (delicious & smoky!) and my date got two beers and a shot. We scored two seats at the bar. We had to shout a bit but then again, Friday night anywhere in the city is packed, plus the night before a blizzard every wants to get well, blitzed, haha. We went somewhere else for dinner but they do serve food there. I would come again!

One of the best brunches I’ve ever had. My friend and I got the «Man Child» because we wanted to sample everything. It was unholy awesomeness as said below, an obscene amount of food for a cheap price. The brussels sprout hash and sausage bread were the highlights of the plate. We also ordered our eggs poached which was a very good call, because cracking that yolk on the sausage bread was the «pièce de résistance» to the entire meal. Only 4 stars though because the service was horrible. The waitress was far from friendly. Still looking forward to coming for dinner or drinks.

Super cute restaurant with, hands down, the best oysters I’ve ever had. We had a bunch of other stuff recommended by our waitress and everything was just as great as the next! They also have really, really good cocktails. The atmosphere is intimate, I’d definitely recommend for a date spot.

Came here for drinks after dinner. It was pretty packed but we got a table. We felt bad cos the bouncer had told a group of 3 – 4 men there were nomore seatings and then turned right around and told us there was a table available. The men was shouting to the bouncer they were w us and uttered some comments as they passed us. Def made things alil sour.
We all tried the banjos drink w moonshine cos it looked pretty cool w smoke. Its very strong! The music was decent. Not my type of vibe (i like rap pop hiphop r&b but they didnt play those) cant really tell what they were playin tbh lol.
We ordered some plates to nibble on. Milk n honey, fried oysters and the brussel salad. Food took a long time. When they got to us it was cold. And didnt taste great at all. Milk n honey was basically a burnt toast with a ball of cheese on top, brussel salad was too citrus and the fried oysters which was the only good dish was too cold.
Overall, it wasnt what we liked and prolly wont stop by again.

Even though this place is so far, I love coming here for the drinks. Been here twice for the happy hour and both times, the drinks are soooo good. I got a margarita and my boyfriend go the cucumber collins. They were both very flavorful and packed a punch. As usual, I ended up giving my boyfriend the rest of my drink since it was too strong. The drinks are expertly mixed and they always provide great service. The bartenders are so fun to watch and they always serve you with a smile.
The place is kinda divided into two rooms and there aren’t too many seats so get there early to beat the crowds. The happy hour menu is pretty decent with oysters and oyster shooters available as well as beer and wine.

It is unrealistic to expect a five-​star experience at a packed and popular cocktail bar on at 11:30pm on New Year’s Eve, but The Wayland delivered admirably. The bar was four customers deep upon arrival, but I somehow managed to squeeze through the hoi polloi and order our first round – a Tarragon Trail and a Smoked and Roasted. As I turned away from the bar to deliver the drinks, the bouncer jumped up from the door and cleared a path while finding us space at a table. Incredible gesture.
The Tarragon Trail was a tequila-​based tipple, with a white peppercorn syrup and various fruit juices served in a Collins glass. The Smoked and Roasted featured mezcal, pineapple juice, and a chili salted rim. Each cocktail went down easily as we celebrated the near-​midnight arrival.
The crowd continued to pour in as the clock drew nearer to midnight, and the cocktail waitress passed coupes of bubbly for the midnight toast. She took an order for a second round – a Moxie (effectively a spicy Boulevardier with a Mezcal rinse) and a gin daisy-​inspired beverage. Even as the restaurant filled, the waitress did a fantastic job navigating the mob and delivering food and drink.
Most of the cocktails on the list featured a pepper influence or a sweet-​and-​spicy syrup, befitting the bitter cold outdoors. The creativity of the beverage list and the amiable service by all members of the staff were top notch. We would gladly recommend The Wayland.
By a quarter past midnight the bar was half-​evacuated, allowing us to finish our second round without bumping shoulders. When we were finally ready to leave, we favored the idea of dollar slices of pizza to exploring the Wayland menu; however, we are confident that a return visit would leave us just as enamored with the lounge.

After having dinner on Christmas evening, we were searching for a bar that would be open and were so thankful for the Wayland! The cozy ambiance, music, and friendly and talented bartenders created delicious cocktails that kept the evening relaxed, festive and fun. We were really thankful for the staff at the Wayland that night, working on a holiday and being so awesome! Thanks for a memorable Christmas evening!

Cocktail bar! but the music is SO LOUD for a cocktail bar that its hard to chat
SMALL BAR so you gotta get lucky to get a spot at the bar, otherwise it’s mostly standing room. there are a few tables to the left side but they are for those ordering food (although as it gets later the waitress will start allowing people to sit because the bar get’s crowded, we were lucky to sit!)
cocktails are around $ 11
–i hear banjos, encore!: the most picture worthy drink because it comes with glass of smoke lingering over your drink, not bad
–hi jinks: good citrusy tequila drink, my GO-​to at bars
–garden variety margarita: i ordered it without the salt, NOT A FAN of the over powering kale juice in this drink, & i usually like kale
my friend got the fingerling potatoes & he loved them, but i didn’t try it

Often times I return to an establishment with the intention of re-​creating the prior experience. This was the case and the Wayland delivered a fine encore.
DRINKS: I had to try the «I Hear Banjos» drink because of the unique appearance and the unusual ingredients. Apple Pie Moonshine, Rye, apple-​spice bitters and smoke (garnish). It’s served with a globe of smoke that seeps flavor into the apple-​themed spirits. I had to re-​try the Moxie (bourbon, Cynar, Chipotle infused agave and essence of Mezcal). I will be trying to re-​create this at home!
Meanwhile, my mate ordered a drink that was not on the menu but had been on the menu on our first visit. The order was «Autumn Leaves» or something like it. I Hear Banjos was the follow-​up order.
Needless to say, the bartenders here thrive on creative and unique. And they do it well.
SERVICE: It was busy at the bar and we were immediately acknowledged. A Table was cleared and cleaned for us. The server was happy to make recommendations and kept watered and cocktailed without hovering.
ATMOSPHERE: The theme is rustic South and the room is fairly spacious. The crowd is under 40.
Review is for the drink service only — no food consumed here.

Loved this place. Love the ambiance and its coziness. The food was really good and the portions were perfect.
I ordered the burrata and it was amazing!!! I also tried their cornmeal blueberry pancakes and those were good too! My boyfriend ordered the man child and he loved it. The bacon they use is really good.
Their staff is on point. Always making sure our water was refilled and that we were content with our meals. Great service!

My first time coming here. The décor is cool, rustic. The menu was cool as well on a wooden board with rubber bands around it. The bartenders were average. The food was pretty damn good though. I had the pulled pork sandwich with roasted potatoes – both delicious. I also tried the milk and honey which was interesting lol because it looks like dessert but is meant to be savory. The bathroom is clean and private which I always prefer, but the faucets are separate for cold and hot water which confused me lol.
Two cons – flat soda and the music was too loud. My friend sat next to me and couldn’t hear me speak.
I still would recommend though

Came here for happy hour between 4−7pm. We arrived almost at the end of happy hour so our server even told us to order all our drinks at once haha she was AMAZING so attentive throughout the whole night even though she had a million people to wait on. She was excellent.
Had the Oyster shooter for $ 5 which you eat the oyster then a shot of tequila chased by the sangrita spicy sauce and bite the lime. It was both disgusting and delicious. Then we had a Margarita $ 7 with that delicious chili salt and a Cucumber Collins for $ 7 aka the most delicious drink ever about to make that at home-​MUST TRY! My friend also got the whiskey drink with the smoke that everyone on Unilocal reviews but it was disgusting lmfao. Unless you really enjoy a strong whiskey drink like a 75 year old man.
They’re sandwiches are also pretty good and big enough to split one between a friend for those drunk munchies haha.
The atmosphere is very open and cool, a lot of standing though if you come in late 8 – 9. It gets pretty loud but it’s a good time for a friend hangout or date.

I usually don’t like cocktail bars because they’re too pretentious and stuffy. Not the Wayland.
I love the candelit homey vibe of Wayland. Good cocktails yet low-​key. It’s a great place for a date or a more subdued night with friends. It’s super charming and quaint.
Our waitress was great even waiting on us while we were standing and waiting to be sat. Music is great, classic rock and indie mixed together. Packed but not overwhelming (it’s a hike from the subway so that’s probably why).

The Wayland checks off all my Friday-​night-​cocktail-​bar requirements. Not in Midtown? Check. Candlelit but unpretentious atmosphere? Check. Solid cocktails? Check. Good service? Check. Food? Check.
It’s just one of those places you can always count on. It is a bit far from the subway and fills up fast. But other than that I’ve got no complaints.
I highly recommend the Smoked and Roasted. I try to avoid tequila (it doesn’t like me) but this cocktail is so complex and tasty the tequila really doesn’t hurt. It’s exactly as it sounds it would be – smoky and roasty– and the dark salt on the rim brings it all together.
Can’t wait to return and try more cocktails!

This is a bad ass little bar! You know why? Because after midnight on a Sunday or Monday or Tuesday it’s packed! You know how I know? I went there
.a.row.
Drinks are awesome, the décor is adorable and it kinda feels like a bar plucked from the South and plunked down into the East Village.
Food is equally awesome. They do happy hour, brunch, and late night food. Classic, traditional and fun dishes too. Raw oysters, fried oysters, sandwiches, Brussels sprouts, cheese plates, etc.
There’s also a small sliding door that separates about ¹⁄₃ of the bar. It’s perfect if you and 10 – 15 people want to come and have your own event or space to yourselves. There’s also outdoor seating, tables along the windows inside and a big Z shaped bar that hugs the back wall.
Super old, super charming building and space. Very cute and definitely worth visiting over and over.

I think this is my new favorite place.
Live music. Surprisingly amazing cocktails. Inexpensive but gigantic sandwiches.
It’s like they went into my dreams and created a restaurant based on everything I like. All it was missing was Lana Del Rey with a whip and a blindfold. Too much information?
Anyway, the Wayland is known for their Garden Variety margarita, made with kale and ginger juice. So you don’t have to guilty about destroying your liver because vegetables! Also had their I Hear Banjos, which is the smokey drink that everyone talks about. Like, literally an upside down cup of smoke to infuse the moonshine. Both were good, but the Garden Variety is definitely worth the price of admission. Cocktails are also very cheap (around $ 11 – 12), which is always a plus.
For food, I had a simple BLT. It was with smoked pork belly, but it tasted more like kielbasa. Still tasty though, and a steal at $ 12.
Service was great, loved the atmosphere. Got a little bit crowded (on a weeknight), but I’m glad I made it out here.