Wild Horse Tavern

My friends and I had a nice little dinner for ourselves this past weekend at the Wild Horse Tavern. The veggie chili, tavern fries, and fish tacos were reasonably-​priced, tasty choices. However, the ambience was somewhat lacking for a Saturday night, and the service wasn’t particularly attentive; there were some errors with my friends’ orders, and our waitress was unable to give us exact change when we paid with cash. If you’re looking for quick dinner with vegetarian options under $ 20 per person in this part of town, then Wild Horse Tavern would be a good pick. However, I might choose another restaurant if I visit this area again.

Fun addition to the area! It’s a Rolling Stones themed bar, from the décor to music, even down to the drink menu. I’ve only been in for drinks, but the bartenders are friendly and can make a mean cocktail. My favorite is Thyme is on my side. Yes, the house drink menu is pricey, but if you notice the ingredients, most are made with fresh herbs and premium liquors. Go on a night with live music, the crowd gets a little rowdy and it’s a fun/​different vibe than the rest of the UES bars.

I’ve been here a few Sundays now since a friend of mine performs here during their live music sessions. The Wild Horse Tavern is a warm, cozy establishment that is great for loners such as myself that come to these things. The bartenders have been friendly and chatty, without being too talkative and the selection of draft beers hasn’t disappointed me.
I am completely obsessed with their garlic fries: hot, chunky wedges served with a garlic aioli that also go perfectly with ketchup. That’s the only thing I’ve eaten here so far but I’m totally cool with that.
The live music is a great attraction and I like the variety of artists. I’ve heard country, blues, and a little bit of rock. As a Bronxite, it’s nice to be away from the hip-​hop scene for a while.
I’ll be back, for sure!

Disregard the reviews saying the happy hour is limited — when I’ve been here, all the drafts have been $ 4 until 7pm, every night of the week, so they likely updated when people complained. Even though, in the immortal words of the Stones, «You can’t always get what you want.» So kudos to management for already responding well to customer reviews! While the tap list isn’t extensive, there’s definitely something on there for everyone.
The happy hour also includes a combo of a burger and a beer for $ 12, which is a fantastic price for this part of town. And the burger, please, let me tell you about the burger. So juicy, clearly made with care, and the ingredients are super fresh. I’ve been here three times and have yet to order anything else because I’m just twitterpated.
This is a classic rock inspired tavern, so expect that to play over the speakers while you’re here if there isn’t live music going. It has all the cozy feels of a dive bar without making me feel like I shouldn’t touch any surfaces. I just want to hang out in here for hours!

Not a great spot food-​wise. $ 13 for a greasy omelette and they don’t even bother to cook it properly!

I really really dig this place. It’s got a great happy hour and the service is awesome!
I’m a purist when it comes to fish and chips and haven’t quite found the fish and chips place yet. But what they have is a pretty good alternative.
I’ll be back *terminator voice*

This place was great! I came here for happy hour and their deals are fantastic! $ 4 for some truly great beer and lots of snack options. The burger was also a good one and the staff is very helpful and nice.

The staff was rude, the food was horrible. Unlikely I’ll return as there are many great great places in the neighborhood to try.

Ehhh not so much. I don’t really like the vibe here. Service isn’t that friendly. Drinks are WAY too expensive for the area. $ 11 for a shot of Tito’s vodka? Me thinks not! I’m not at a club, I’m at a divey bar on the UES. $ 8 would be pushing it but $ 11 effing bucks for a Titos? No thank you! I will definitely not be back. Much more fun and reasonable places in the hood. Skip it! The last two places in this spot were much better.

Descent bar food and good service. There was live music when we went and it was just incredibly loud, so very difficult to have a discussion with my friends. Would have been 4 stars otherwise! Will go back though.

What a pleasant surprise! Great LIVE MUSIC & A delicious, juicy, burger! A down-​to-​earth place with WONDERFUL MUSICAL SURPRISES. On a Sunday evening, I enjoyed a blues band – full disclosure – I knew one of the guys in the band, (David) that’s why I was there. The sound was great. They finished their set, I had planned to leave, but, I was mesmerized by the next artist – Alan Merrill, who started singing the song «Walk Away Renee” – it was such a beautiful sound – his voice – I couldn’t leave! I sat there totally soaking in the sound – WOW! It was perhaps the most beautiful rendition I had ever heard. Truly!!! I remember listening to this song in the summer of ’66, at sleep away camp. It was originally sung/​recorded by the group, «The Left Bank». I listened to Alan Merrill’s music for a while-​a treat to be sure. He co-​wrote a song you’ve probably heard JOAN JETT sing – «I Love Rock & Roll». His group, called The Arrows recorded the song BEFORE Joan Jett did. And apparently THE ARROWS were a big deal in England & Japan & USA. This was new to me, & what a lucky surprise for me to have been at The Wild Horse Tavern on a night when so many TALENTED MUSICAL ARTISTS happened to be playing. I do believe that there is some amazing MUSIC KARMA here – I guess it doesn’t hurt that the owner is very much into music, & even plays here as well. When I came in his group was playing & it was an appealing sound. I will be going back to hear some fine live music, for sure. And I’ll have another juicy burger. CALL & ASK ABOUT THE MUSIC IF THAT’S WHAT YOU ARE GOING FOR BECAUSE IT IS NOT EVERY NIGHT. I will be calling too! I hope Chris and David & their drummer play some more blues here. And I hope I get to hear Alan Merrill sing «Walk Away Renee» here again! On this particular Sunday in August, it was that beautiful NEW YORK MOMENT –an unassuming Tavern with a juicy good burger, and the most amazingly wonderful musical talents right there, playing, & enjoying themselves in an intimate venue – it was PERFECT!!!
I must give a shout out to «the sound guy” – the fellow who can make or break your music – he’s adjusting the levers on the sound board so we get to hear the right amount of bass, treble, etc. – GREAT JOB!!! THANK YOU! All the music I heard had a really good sound. Cordial staff, nice service. Good food. I’ll be back.

Good burger and beer. It probably rotates but I really enjoyed a bourbon flavored beer there.
Live music as well, came on a Wednesday and saw a band do some great rock covers.

Went here for a few drinks last night. Good layout, okay happy your choices and service was good. Apparently they have a good band at some points.
Would go back in the future. Only reason for the ⁴⁄₅ stars is I wish their happy hour was a bit more. Unless we heard incorrectly, seemed the 4 $ pint and 5 $ wine only applied to two things.

I came here with my boyfriend simply to check out the new bar in the neighborhood. We planned to stay for just drinks, but the drinks were fantastic so we stayed for apps. The apps were good, so we stayed for dinner. Nothing disappointed.
All in all, a good addition to the local bar scene.

MEHHHH. I want to give this place more stars, but the service was just horrendous, so I cant.
By service, I don’t even mean the wait staff, I mean management.
The pros — food was good and cocktails were tasty
The con — There were two people working here that I am going to assume were managers of some sort. Both were rude. One acted like an angsty 8 year old.
First encounter — The manager guy pulled the waitress to the side (the waitress who was working hard) and was yelling at her about how to describe a smash burger to patrons. It was a condescending and degrading conversation and I felt bad for the poor girl. Take that to the kitchen or somewhere in private — and frankly, don’t talk to your staff that way.
My biggest issue —
We came on a Monday, to which their menu says that happy hour is all night. It says happy hour includes house drinks, wine, beers. It doesn’t specify any particular type, just those things. On the menu, there is a whole boxed off section that says «house drinks», so one would naturally assume all of those are happy hour specials. WRONG.
My boyfriend ordered 3 house drinks.
I ordered a sauvignon blanc, which the waitress came back and said she was out of, so I got 3 rose’s instead.
When the bill came, we did not receive any happy hour special. When I questioned the waitress, she said «oh its only *cocktail name I can’t remember* and sauvignon blanc.»
Hello…I ordered the sauvignon blanc and you didn’t have it.
She went inside and some other manager type dude came out to address our concerns. He said it was just certain drinks, to which I said, «your menu doesn’t state any of that. It just says house drinks, wine, beer. If you want to limit it, say what those limitations are!» \
When I said that, he didn’t even acknowledge me, he just turned and walked away in a huff.
ARE YOU KIDDING ME? You are in the service industry and you decide to treat me like your younger sister that you are angry at? It was unbelievable.
The bill was adjusted, but at what cost? It could have been handled differently and should be a lesson that service is everything. I can cook at home, I can make my own cocktails at home (I have a nice bar). I come out for the service… when you fail at service, you fail big.

Nice looking place, décor is stylish with a mix of bar stools, tables and booths.
Service was great, bartender was very attentive
Food was average. Came here for the Bitterballen (dutch treat) and they were not good. Not traditional Bitterballen sadly.
Draught beer selection was limited, couple of nice craft beers available, nothing too off the beaten track but still pretty good.

The staff here was welcoming, sat us down immediately (around 7p on a Saturday), and poured some cool water as we sat down. I immediately used the restroom, which was nice and clean. We noticed a long strip of outlets on the wall along the booths, which is great for charging phones. Then our server came to report the specials and changes to the menu. We each ordered a beer and it was brought over about 5 min later. She asked if we had decided on food yet, but we asked for a couple more minutes to decide. 15 min later, we flagged down another server to place our order. The food arrived, delicious and fresh, about 10 min after that.
Ambiance: A
Service: C*
Food: A–
Prices: B
We watched our servers huddle at the service station near the bar and chat, disregarding empty glasses and wandering customer eyes… thus the longer than necessary time to order and eat/​drink.

The food here is pretty good… if you ever get it.
Service is SLOW. I mean really slow and not because they were busy. What gives?
I had the corn chowder, chicken schnitzel sandwich.
My sisters got the brick chicken and a steak frites special (which server forgot to mention was $ 14 more than steak frites on the menu…)
My chicken schnitzel sandwich was pretty dang good. The soft boiled egg on top– yum alert. I would like to try the burger next time. Fries need work though.
I hope since the restaurant is new they can work out some of the kinks still so they stick around longer.

This is a place I would make the trip uptown for.
Weekend happy hour. Service was great, the place wasn’t packed during my visit.
Executive chef of fatty cue/​crab
At the risk of losing credibility, I’m going to say it…
Best burger ever.
Soft but toasted bun that stays crispy.
Juicy meat. Got it medium rare.
Pieces of crunchy bacon till the end.
Roasted tomato. Better than umami.
Lamb ribs were delicious. Salty, spiced. With pickled fennel and a yogurt sauce.
This is a place I foresee waiting in line for in the future.

The old Swig/​Eastside Cantina has evolved once again, and I think they’re closer to getting things right. Understand that this place doesn’t officially open until 6/​1, but stopped in on a Thursday night to check it out while they’re still getting up to speed.
The space is much nicer than before. The same long bar, but with much less junk and art on the back walls. The simplistic nature of the bar (white washed walls, just two smaller TVs) makes for a slightly more intimate experience. They finally installed 4 booths along one side of the restaurant and the bathrooms (thankfully!) have been renovated and look great. The windows and doors were open (and they should keep them open until the last possible day. The natural light they provide is essential).
As for food, the Eastside burger was solid. Thick burger with bacon and cheese, and served on a roll that was branded with the bar’s logo. The only downside was the bottom bun was a little soggy from the juicy burger, but I’ll survive. The $ 3 side fries were delicious. The Vietnamese Dip sandwich was also delicious, served on what looked like an 8-​inch baguette, and stuffed full, with a generous serving of au jus.
We didn’t order drinks this time around, but if/​when they announce happy hour specials, I’ll be sure to be back. The cocktail list was expansive as were the draft beers, although maybe $ 1-​$ 2 more than I would like.
The service was a tad slow, but I’m hoping they’re still working on that prior to the opening.
Overall, the third incarnation of this space seems like the best yet. I’m really hoping the addition of live music in the back will help this place stay around.