Winnie’s Bar & Restaurant

Although it appears that Winnie’s has become a weekend novelty now that it’s closing, I can understand why it’s closing. It’s in a pretty weird location, the karaōke is terrible (which can be amusing), and most importantly, for the «ambiance», the beers are extremely overpriced.
Some people might like the «divey» atmosphere, but I thought it was a bit too well lit to be a dive, and you can generally get a $ 5 PBR at a dive. Try $ 7 for a Coors Light. No thanks.

First time and I hear this is our last since Winnie’s is closing end of March. This is no fancy place but it was so much fun and the cocktails were quite lethal. We showed up with group of 8 and took place in the far back with Karaōke. Put in tons of song orders. Cash Only! Fun hot mess Friday night. One point, some guys singing sprayed beer on the onlookers and then one got sprayed beer all over. Karma! Lol. Good times Winnie, good times

I came here last night with a friend because we heard it was closing. New York is going to be a little less special – we loved it. (And I HATE karaōke at bars!) It has a wonderful, vibrant atmosphere. I had the punch, and it tasted like the drinks at Port of Call in New Orleans. Sweet, dangerous, and tropical.

Bloody hell. Winnie’s is CLOSING end of March (gal said they lost their lease). New York is over, people… the horror, the horror …
The Smiths:
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
And as I climb into an empty bed
Oh well. Enough said.
I know it’s over — still I cling
I don’t know where else I can go
Oh …
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
See, the sea wants to take me
The knife wants to slit me
Do you think you can help me ?
Sad veiled bride, please be happy
Handsome groom, give her room
Loud, loutish lover, treat her kindly
(Though she needs you
More than she loves you)
And I know it’s over — still I cling
I don’t know where else I can go
Over and over and over and over
Over and over, la …
I know it’s over
And it never really began
But in my heart it was so real
And you even spoke to me, and said :
«If you’re so funny
Then why are you on your own tonight ?
And if you’re so clever
Then why are you on your own tonight ?
If you’re so very entertaining
Then why are you on your own tonight ?
If you’re so very good-​looking
Why do you sleep alone tonight ?
I know …
‘Cause tonight is just like any other night
That’s why you’re on your own tonight
With your triumphs and your charms
While they’re in each other’s arms…»
It’s so easy to laugh
It’s so easy to hate
It takes strength to be gentle and kind
Over, over, over, over
It’s so easy to laugh
It’s so easy to hate
It takes guts to be gentle and kind
Over, over
Love is Natural and Real
But not for you, my love
Not tonight, my love
Love is Natural and Real
But not for such as you and I, my love
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my …
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can even feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my head
Oh Mother, I can feel the soil falling over my …

Winnie the owner is a most wonderful woman who will allow you to bring outside food, even tell you that their microwaved dumplings are $ 8 when the outside ones are $ 1.25 and allow you to buy it. I believe it is her family/​relative (the bald guy) is also pretty descent. This review does not reflect them but the place when they’re not around.
Winnie may be old and mentally stable, but recently new hires consists of some very rude waitresses who do not deserve a tip of any form whatsoever except a tip that they should take a hike and go into the Antarctic fishing business. Other than that, the Kareoke’s sound system is subpar as opposed to the average open bar system and they’ll tell you they don’t want to wake the neighbors who live upstairs.
Though Winnie’s Bar is closing soon, if she ever starts again, simply hire waitresses who know how to make all customers happy and not just either the big spenders or their own friends and I’ll be the first customer.

Just heard with great sadness that this New York gem is closing. Do me a favor and take someone you love on my favorite date in the whole wide world before Winnie’s closes because I won’t be able to.
Start by picking your friend or beloved up from work, walk or take the subway to Xi’an Fine Foods. Order the spiciest thing on the menu and two of those pokey straw iced teas. Take a moment to think about how lucky you are to know this person and to live in New York with them. Eat your delicious noodles or lamb face salad, try not to spill hot oil all over your clothes. Clear your dishes and head over to Winnie’s, order a whiskey sour and sit in one of the booths towards the back. Watch as a bunch of public defenders sing Phil Collins on laser disc. Finish your drink and make your way out to Chinatown Ice Cream Factory right before it closes. Get a scoop of pandan and eat it outside in the snow. Now it’s time to go back to Winnie’s. Order whatever you want and whatever will convince you it’s a good idea to sing a Cat Steven’s duet with your date. Tip the bartender well and beg them to not close the most perfect place in the whole world.

Crowded as all hell. It’s not so much of a karaōke bar as it is a bunch of nerdy NYU people on one side of the bar (often for a birthday) screaming a Journey song, and you’re all the way on the other end, can’t see who is singing, trying to talk over the only source of music in the bar.
People need to stop saying they have cheap drinks. You can go to the Standard and get a well drink for 3x the price but it won’t be as small or weak. When I mean weak. I mean they serve you in those small plastic clear cups, fill it to heaven with ice, and then ask an angel in heaven to drop a single drop of vodka into the cup. WEAK. I don’t drink often, I had 9 drinks and was sober. Not tipsy, I mean sober. I’d rather you charge me $ 10 and fill it up with actual booze. It was so packed that I would get lazy about going back. I could finish my drink in two sips because of the amount of ice. I would have given it to an infant and not feared them getting sick from any alcohol.
If you’re looking for crowded, loud, weak and moderately priced drinks, and an obnoxious mix of regular who live in Chinatown, and NYU students who pregamed too hard after their dungeons and dragons game, then this is the place for you.
If you’re looking to not spend money and find a low key place, well call me when you find it.

I’ve ended up at Winnie’s many times in last decade, and i always forget how bad it is until I get there. Stella in a bottle is $ 6.50 currently. It gets worse from there. The karaōke machine is abysmally muffled and prone to laserdisc (yep) error. The crowd is majority weekend douchebags, even on a Tuesday. It’s pretty much a bro bar.
The space is nice and inviting and they put a couple of cute Chinese girls behind the bar to keep the bros coming, but this is a club-​priced tourist trap sleazily masquerading as a local dive bar.

Came here with some buddies to pregame before going to Santos House Party to see a DJ.
You definitely come here for the cheap drinks (cheap for ny) and not the ambiance and décor. So with that said, prices are very fair and the bartenders are very attentive and quick. All you can ask for in a dive bar.
It’s a plus that they also have karaōke and tv’s in here. Everyone seemed to be having a good time.
Would come back

The atmosphere can change. You could have a quiet bar with locals or an upbeat young crowd or an all out craze. The karaōke machine is awesome, it’s both background music and your moment to shine.
The gals behind the counter are sweet and are great servers. Be careful though! Some of the shots can be upwards of $ 14 if they’re not well drinks etc. But the girls will let you know that. Their speciality shots are reeeeeaaaally good. You wanna get fucked up, have a Hawaiian punch. Haha
If you’re actually just looking for a place to sit down and have a drink or two with friends and to hangout, this is an awesome place.
They dont serve food anymore, but you can bring some munchies in yourself and they won’t mind.
Oh and you should hear some of the girls sing. :p
Will be back for more!

Great vibe from the place. I actually wanted to stay for a few drinks after chatting with the bartender. The Asian lady with the sexy voice and leather jacket attitude was super hot. She was an angel butt also a devil. If she poured me a cup of poison right in front of me I would probably drink it and then go to heaven because I’m a good man but this temptress was FORMIDABLE let me tell you what. damn
No but really, the drinks were incredibly weak for the high price. I absolutely loved the vibe but the drinks just didn’t do it for me.

Take a step back in time. Literally.
Imagine yourself in the 70’s, 80’s, at a dive-​ish bar. The booth are a deep red leather. The owner’s wife asks for your drink order, just like she has for the last 30 years. Wheel of Fortune is playing on a square TV and someone is on the payphone directly beneath it.
That was just a recent description of Winnie’s. Walking in, it feels like you’re transported back in time. We got seated and the bartender, who’s apparently been there for 28 years, grudgingly asked us what we wanted. Note: they only have bottled beers, no draft system. After we got our brews, she immediately asked us to pay and that was that. Service isn’t the warmest, but it was almost empty on a Friday early evening. If you’re looking for a quiet place to have conversations, check it out.
We went back later in the night after dinner just to see how busy it could get. They had four people on staff and we knew there was no way they needed that many during our visit. Fair enough, the bar was packed around 11PM. The karaōke machine was in full swing and people were drunkenly belting out their favorite tunes. We didn’t have time to stay, but that environment definitely made it more of a place I’d want to hang out at.
Winnie’s is not a destination for beer, prices, or service but for charm. Make a trip if you’re longing for an experience back in time.

If you are looking for «18 years olds» who love to karaōke this is your place! I walked in and immediately felt 31 720 457 124 514 years old. But it was hopping and really fun. Just know what you are in for! I think it was a birthday party so this clientele might be different on a regular night; I just thought it was hilarious. Definitely a dive bar good time.

This bar is clearly for locals– friends of the owner. Went here to watch World Cup games because Whiskey was way too packed. The décor hasn’t changed for decades and the smell of Chinese herbal medicines brewing may be bring back terrible memories of your mother forcing you to drink the concoctions as a child «for your health.» :P
Don’t expect beers besides bud and Tsingtao to be available. Ok selection of spirits. As I sipped on my bourbon and watched the game, I saw a mouse dart across the floor into the back. We all saw it and just looked at each other, not sure whether we bounce or stay to watch the end of the game. Oh but don’t worry, the old man showed us his cat to assure us he will catch it.

So, the Karaōke is a buch a song, and there’s no MC. Basically, you wait for your song to start and run up to the stage.
Also, a drunk dude came up and started shouting my song along with me. But that’s because I am a goddamned rock star.
But, great drinks, friendly bartender, fun karaōke — this place had no pretense, it was just plain fun.

Winnie’s is amazing!
My office and I visited for karaōke and beverages upon the invitation from a coworker — what a blast! The décor is so kitschy and the vibe is very welcoming. Mixed drinks were delicious — and many many loving thanks to such fun and friendly bartenders (Yay Denise!) who put up with our dance routines and singing.
I can’t wait to return for more — this being my first real bar experience.

Old school. My kind of place.
The staff is awesome except for Q. She can be a pain. Tell her Teddy sent you.
This is my default bar not out of convenience, but out of necessity. People are straight up and no bullshit. Don’t come in here and be an ass because you will be treated like one no offense. I mean what would you expect?
To me this place is one of Chinatown’s treasures. A relic not because it is old, but because of the no nonsense atmosphere.
I’m not a fan of screaming drunk wannabe hipsters, and this place certainly will not be full of them.
I’ve forged many friendships here through the years, and will continue to frequent this establishment.

Great little bar. It’s somewhat divey, though not especially so for its surroundings given that it’s in Chinatown, and it’s actually quite spacious by Chinatown standards.
I had a Tsingtao and a lychee cocktail, which were good but a bit pricey for a dive bar ($ 6.50 and $ 10, respectively). I also sang a song for $ 1.
3.5 stars

The initial charm of Winnie’s is its diveyness (#1). The only kind that exists in a place like Chinatown, albeit slightly different from the usual dive bar lovin that many folks typically have for places like this. Disgusting bathrooms. Shoddy seating from the bar to the booths. Gritty to the bone and with a karaōke system to boot, the only times I’ve ever enjoyed myself was purely because of good company.
So bring a group of friends and embrace Winnie’s for everything it showcases: a dated, VCD/​DVD karaōke system /​cash only drinks /​ridiculously cold + rushed service. They’ll often have games that are playing, sometimes big ones on stupidly small TVs and one large one and in essence Winnie’s becomes a decent backup plan to the around the corner Whiskey Tavern (
).
The drinks are a little pricey for a dive at almost $ 10 a standard drink. I wouldn’t be caught here drinking alone or listening to the really crappy karaōke from drunk tourists. Even on the rainy days, I’d rather be slurping noodles somewhere than getting the evil eye from the bartender while I nurse my drink.
_​_​_​_​_​_​_​_​
(#1) Last I checked, this is a real word.

I can’t decide if this is a legitimately weird bar or if I just happened to come in on a weird day.
Me and a bunch of friends stopped in for a drink or two after sampling some of Chinatown’s finest dumplings. My first impression of Winnie’s wasn’t the best. I actually noticed just two things: the table filled with obliterated college kids beat-​boxing and rapping (at 4:30 in the afternoon) and the many, many plastic buckets of… something stacked three buckets high in one corner. Ooookay. We grabbed a table of our own and I noticed something else: Winnie’s charges $ 6 for a Budweiser in a bottle?!
Anyway.
Drink prices are pretty arbitrary and change sometimes doesn’t arrive. The laser disc karaōke player is quaint and hilarious and prone to skipping. Drunk girls will intrude on your rendition of «Don’t Stop Believing» without any sort of by-​your-​leave. The bar staff might also warn you that they’re closing at 8:00, but then they won’t. No explanation will be offered for any of these things. If you ask for «punch» you will get a glass of something orange and alcoholic. It may contain cheap vodka or children’s tears; you will never know.