Food was straight up amazing. You can tell they actually care about quality. Great spot to eat, relax, and enjoy some seriously good food. Ridwan and agnes good excellent serviced

The establishment was clean, cozy and not loud, save for a few rude guests behind us who were taking a business call during dinner... Our server was polite, and came by often to refill waters and ask how we were doing. The food: Salt and Pepper Squid - 3/5 - Tender and crispy the shrimp could have been great, but I felt like it was under salted and could have even used additional spices like white pepper or some of that pink peppercorn in such a dish. Tangy Glazed Shrimp - 4/5 - nicely sweet and sour, this Shrimp came in a good portion and had a nice bite to it too. It came on a bed of these jelly noodles, which seemed unnecessary, and were too slippery and too tender, slipping out of our chopsticks or breaking. It did carry the orange flavored sauce decently well though. Black truffle steak cubes - 5/5 - Great dish, you can taste the black truffle and onion sauce, the steak was tender enough for me, although could have been a bit more tenderized somehow. It came with mushrooms and snap peas that were great in breaking up the flavor and texture. Crispy fried chicken - 5/5 - another great dish, the skin was flavorful and crispy, and the meat tender. Not much more to say other than the chef did a great job with the prep and plating, no bones in the meat and pre sliced akin to Peking Duck. Sesame ice cream - 5/5 - simple tasty refreshing. If you like sesame you'll love this. Fried milk custard - 5/5 - served with some sticky condensed milk, this blew my mind. Crispy on the outside but with the texture of flan or custard inside. I don't know how they did it but the condensed milk added the perfect sweetness I will think about this dessert for a long time to come.

Came here with a friend for lunch and had a wonderful experience. The restaurant has a cozy, homely vibe (at least to me)—clean, comfortable, and welcoming. We sat by the window, which gave us a great spot to enjoy both the food and some quiet, natural light. We ordered the double-cooked pork belly, which was rich, savory, and had just the right touch of heat—paired beautifully with nutty purple rice. The cucumber salad with garlic gravy was one of those deceptively simple dishes where less truly means more: crisp, refreshing, and appetite-opening. We also tried the jellyfish salad. It was light, delicately seasoned, with that perfect chewy texture that makes it such a satisfying cold dish. The service was incredibly friendly and courteous. We were even treated to lychee ice cream on the house, which was a lovely surprise! I ordered the tea-smoked duck fried rice to go, and the waiter thoughtfully came back to confirm whether I wanted the regular portion or the lunch special (which I did)! A small gesture that showed real attention to detail! I truly appreciate this level of care and hospitality. Great food and great service! I’ll definitely be back!

I noticed a $14 lunch special that was too good to ignore. A main dish, white rice, two mini egg rolls and a side of pickled cucumbers—what a fantastic deal for NYC. That sign is what pulled me into Twilight Lounge, a newly opened Sichuan and Cantonese restaurant in the East Village that’s already showing serious promise. For the lunch special, I ordered the Kung Pao Chicken, which came with white or purple rice, egg rolls and pickled cucumbers. The chicken was tender with just the right amount of wok-seared edges, tossed in a glossy sauce that struck a nice balance between sweet, savory, and just a hint of spice. Crunchy peanuts gave it texture as well as the egg rolls w plum sauce and the cool, vinegary cucumbers on the side refreshed the palate between bites. For $14 in Manhattan? A steal. I came with family and we ordered a few dishes off the regular menu to share. The Spicy Cumin Lamb was a standout. Sliced thin and stir-fried with whole dried chilies and cumin seeds, the dish had a smoky, earthy depth that lingered in a good way. It packed some heat, but it was the kind that builds slowly—warming, not overwhelming. The real surprise for me was the dry-style Sichuan Beef Noodle. I usually expect something heavier or soup-based, but this version came tossed in a savory, umami-rich sauce that clung beautifully to the chewy noodles. The marinated beef slices were flavorful and tender, and the overall dish felt comforting yet bold. It’s the kind of meal you could crave on a rainy day—or after a long one. The Twilight Fried Rice also deserves mention. Unlike typical fried rice dishes, this version arrived with a crispy bottom layer—almost like a socarrat from paella—adding a delightful crunch to each spoonful. It was savory, aromatic, and loaded with bits of egg, scallions, and diced vegetables. It's a clever and satisfying twist on a classic that I didn’t expect to love as much as I did. We also tried dishes like the beef pancake roll, which was like a scallion pancake rolled around savory beef slices, the wife and husband sliced beef in chili oil, spicy shrimp, and the spicy fried fish filet, both of which leaned on the hotter side, so be warned if you’re spicy –sensitive (or tell them to adjust the spice level). I found the lotus root stir-fry refreshing and light, with its mix of squash, wood ear mushrooms and lotus root slices. And a special shoutout to Jonathan, who took care of our table with warmth, efficiency, and always with a smile. Twilight Lounge an East Village gem that brings the heat, flavor, and hospitality. Definitely one to watch.

So happy this place opened up. We love Sichuan-style dishes but don’t always feel like waiting for a table to open up at some of the bigger places up at St. Marks. Great food, we got the crispy sichuan chicken, cumin lamb and the green beans. Authentic, great flavor with a good spice level. They serve beer/ wine too. Love the vibes, I plan to visit again with friends and family. The owner JC was friendly too.

This was one of the best Chinese food spots I have been to in a long time! Everything was so good. The beef pancake (perfectly juicy meat and the outside was crispy) and duck fried rice were especially memorable to me. Highly, highly recommend this place to anyone!

Benjamin Hedden

Best bar in east village NYC. The staff are absolutely lovely can not say enough positive things about Doris. Doris made the night way better than it should’ve she is very conversational and a fun personality at the bar. Highly recommend!!

Getting Lumped Up With Rob Rossi

Neighborhood Favorite International Bar is a true local gem. Friendly staff, great drinks, and an atmosphere that makes you want to stay all night. Whether you’re grabbing a quick beer or hanging with friends, this place never disappoints. A must-visit bar on 1st Ave.

Rio Ippoliti

All the world’s a stage and all the men and women, merely players. Yet here, at International Bar, the playwright himself resides. This man is Robert, “The Mayor”, Rossi; the penultimate being on this Earth, the full amalgamation of everything that is New York. International Bar is New York: New York at it’s beginnings, I-Bar is old, beautiful, wooden, built and inhabited by immigrants and every walk of life coming to a sanctuary to be free of life’s cruel clutches for even just a single moment. Old New York, where the stories take control and you’ll never know who may grab that open stool next to you to spin yards of when Irish gangs ran the neighborhood or how they still might. New New York, representing hopes and dreams of a life filled with endless possibility. The glitz and glam of the city mixed with the filthy underbelly that breeds artists, poets, seedy criminals, corrupt politicians, and the working class that keeps it all afloat at the common watering hole that is International. With one man to rule them all, you have Rossi. He’ll pour you a beer, a shot, a can of whatever fad the kids are drinking and serve it up alongside a helping of the most unique helpings of reality that most of us don’t even deserve. A powerful witch who knows where all of the bodies are buried, a belly-busting comedian who will have you laughing at his catch phrases for long after your visit, a modern day bard who has an eternal wealth of stories to entice you with- so many that you’ll be asking yourself how one man can have lived so many vivacious lives. I-Bar is enough to lure you in but Rossi will keep you coming back for life. That, is the New York experience.

Travis Mitchell

The International Bar is a neighborhood institution and I’m so happy that it has survived as the East Village changes. The bartenders make sure to create an environment where everyone feels like a regular whether it’s the first or hundredth time they’ve been in. I love that when I come by they know my face, my order, and ask about my day. Can’t recommend a better watering hole in the city!

Isabella McBride

Love this bar!! Sadly can only make it to the city a couple times a year, but I always make sure to squeeze in a visit to international. Really wonderful atmosphere -- a true dive (and gem of the east village). Besides the sick musical offerings in the jukebox, the bartenders keep me coming back every time <3

Alex Hanadel

Had so much fun tonight, we always have to stop in when we’re in the EV. Saturdays are our fav night, bartender is always making us laugh. Never change IBar!!

Alison Quinn

LOVE coming to international whenever im in the city. The bartender is always a trip and makes a mean martini. It’s tough to find a spot that feels so welcoming outside of my own neighborhood. I always wanna show off this bar to friends visiting town. Good dive. Good vibes.

Lia

This place is a neighborhood staple. The drinks are cheap, the crowd is fun and the bartenders here are the best. I couldn’t recommend it faster.

vince strautmanis

First of all, absolutely love this bar!! I swung by thursday to catch the game and ended up damn near closing it out. The kind of place where the lights are low, the jukebox is always on point, and the holiday decorations seemingly are especially good! But the real reason this place earns five stars is the bartender. Sawyer’s the absolute best! Fast without being rushed, friendly without being fake, and somehow able to keep the whole room running smoothly while still making everyone feel seen. Come for the prices, stay for the vibes! (Fingers crossed you come on a night when jeopardy is on!)

Caleb Kuball

Great dive with a great jukebox. Sawyer excels at both quality service and crafting martinis. Best Vesper I have ever had and I have had many. One of the only real dives left in the neighborhood, and one of the most legit bartenders in the country.

Julian Michaels

One of the best dives left in New York city. Always a good vibe, extra nice during the holidays with the decorations. New drink menu with some fun ones and always good tunes with a real juke box! Sawyer is my favorite, always a good time!

Amanda S

My go-to spot in the East Village since 2010. It’s kept the same charm, just has better drinks now and wine that you actually want to drink!! Best jukebox in town, and I like how the bartenders have actual personalities, it feels like you’re in a movie. I-Bar for life <3

Justin Rogers-Cooper

Famous dive in the east village, where you can still find the New York of your old dreams - the fun, ragged, dark, twilight city of neighborhood friends and toughs, a little haunted and lovable, full of drinks that hug and send you rocking, trying to get around the next corner.

+1

Ranvit Reddy

Really cool decorations here if you look closely. There's a lot to pay attention to - nice place to drink alone. Easy to talk to people around you as well though.

+1

Came here for a late lunch and left with a pretty hefty bill. The place was clean and was pretty modern—service was decent as well. We ordered suan cai yu, which they used flounder as the fish. The fish was a bit flakey and didn’t taste amazing but the broth was good. It wasn’t too oily like some other places so that was a plus. We also had the crab roe tofu which was pretty good as my partner reallly liked it. And had the seasonal vegetable stir fry which was simple but delicious. For the price we paid after tax + tip I expected higher quality food but overall I’m not super mad about it because the portion sizes are good.

My completely unfounded hypothesis for how Twilight Lounge came to be is that the founders wanted to open an authentic Canto spot but after market researching (AKA talking to the locals), they learned that New Yorkers are crazy for Szechuan food, so they decided to tack that on--because Chinese people are nothing if not people pleasers. And thus this Cantonese-Szechuan menu was born. The above is based on an untrue story. Now on to the food. - Wood Ear Mushroom Salad: Refreshing and perfectly spicy - Lotus Root Stir-fry Medley: Because we all need fiber. Get this classic stir-fry to make your bathroom trips more fun. - Crab Roe Silken Tofu: Soft and tasty, better than I expected. - Wong Fei Hung Prawns: If you look at this name and the Jet Li theme song doesn't automatically play in your head, you're not Cantonese enough to appreciate this dish. But it's okay; this dish is so good, it would win over a vegan. It was easily the star of the show, everyone's favorite. The prawns were plump and juicy, and the peppercorns were crunchy and satisfying--all coming together in the perfect marriage of mouth-singing flavor. We picked this clean like buzzards circling a dead rodent. - Sichuan Braised Fish: Our first taste of their Szechuan offerings, and the verdict is....pass! This was spicy, umami and complex, loaded with mouth-tender fish and veggies, and as comforting and filling as similar offerings at Szechuan restaurants. - Tea Smoked Duck Fried Rice: Not much duck, smoke or tea flavor. Not much duck either. I'd skip this unless you really want to blow money on fried rice. Service was friendly and attentive, and decor was modern chic. Twilight Lounge has stiff competition from the borough, but it surprisingly holds its own--esp. if you're in this neck of the woods and craving umami.

Valery T

Nice little dive-bar, the vibe was great but service was kinda lacking on our last visit :-/ It usually is ok but this time one of the bartender was only chatting with regulars (or friends) and it was hard to get drinks even with the bar being not that crowded.

WillyWorld

Another definitive dive bar. I had to stop here just because it looks old and scary from the outside with various beer neons blazing away. So I took a deep breath and tried to open the door and nothing….the door was locked right. As I stood there with a puzzled look on my face, the door buzzed open from somewhere remote. I walked in and looked around the dimly lit bar while wondering how I got in without knowing the secret password….lolz. Actually there is no password but the door is locked and the bartender has to buzz you in. I suppose that’s a safety feature since that part of the city could be considered “rough”. With that said, I found it was nothing but nice friendly people inside. Mostly if not all were locals. The bar has good prices and a really neat back open porch area that is covered in really cool graffiti art. The bathroom is equally festooned with similar local scribbling. I say take your chances and go here. You don’t see too many places that are original and irreverent like the International Bar.

Overall, the dining experience was quite pleasant. We arrived close to closing time, yet the staff were still warm and welcoming, showing no signs of impatience—something that truly deserves recognition. From ordering to food service, the process was smooth and efficient, with dishes arriving promptly, which is a definite plus for diners who are short on time. As for the food, portion sizes were on the smaller side, so those with a bigger appetite may want to order a few extra dishes. The flavors were generally solid and reliable—nothing particularly outstanding, but also nothing disappointing. The Suancai Fish was well-executed, with a good balance of sourness and saltiness, making it a safe and steady choice. The standout dish, however, was the Salted Egg Yolk Tofu, which was excellent and easily the highlight of the meal. Overall, strong service and efficiency are the key strengths here. If you’re looking for a place for a quick and hassle-free meal, this restaurant is certainly worth considering.

Having tried a lot of Sichuanese restaurants in NYC, I kind of have a bar and this place failed to meet it. It’s a place for a more Americanized palate. The food lacked flavor and punch and was not served hot enough. The three pepper chicken was tough (didn’t want to even bring back any leftovers), the fried rice with mustard green shoots was good, the Fish Fillet w/ Silken Tofu Pudding was okay as it lacked flavor, the lotus root stir-fry medley was disappointing with big chunks of celery and cucumber and no flavor. They brought out the rice last, meanwhile what are you supposed to eat the rest of the food with? My biggest problem was with the atmosphere. The air conditioning was so strong that the food got cold in minutes add then was not enjoyable. You don’t need to blast the A/C and serve cold food - instead adjust it to pleasantly comfortable. Went to celebrate a birthday but was let down. Won’t go back.

Alecia Caldwell

The owner made a scene that could have easily been handled politely but her attitude forced us to leave the drinks unfinished as it was such an unpleasant confrontational atmosphere.

Christos Karageorgiou Kaneen

Terrible service for such a mediocre little hole of a place. Both the security guy and the bartender woman were rude and abnoxious. So many cheaper, cleaner, and certainly more pleasant, bars to go to in the area.

Colleen Gruber

The larger female bartender we had this weekend was unprofessional, rude and disrespectful. Her attitude was unacceptable and made me and my friends extremely uncomfortable. I’ve never experienced treatment like that in my life, I actually thought we were being punk’d. Totally bizarre.

Valerie Kamen

Service is an absolute 0 from the bartender we had. She blew up at us because we moved some seats from the bar to our table. We immediately apologized and put them back. She continued to berate us and it was both humiliating and uncalled for. 10000000% don’t go here. I certainly won’t ever go again.