Came here in the afternoon for a couple of good beers after a cycle ride round Central Park. Friendly staff, cold beers and free popcorn and all at a great price. What more could you ask?

Strong drinks, fun time with friends. Love the music. Love the multiple sectional areas to chill.

Fun bar to hang out and grab a drink. Cocktails are strong and the place is lively. Lots of space to sit and in the back there is a lounge. Further back is a place to play drinking games like beer pong.

The most gorgeous and kind bartenders on the planet. Way to go NY. Thank you Natalia!

Good drinks. Great service. Fun crowd. No food here but excellent pizza from next door delivered

Great experience if you just want drink a beer or cocktail and watch the game and great price for the location being next to 5th and six ave

The staff at Whiskey Trader was great, extremely nice. Friends and I stopped in for a drink to celebrate following my proposal that night at the nearby Love Sculpture. (She said yes btw) My server who’s name I don’t recall was extremely nice and excited after hearing the occasion and provided 2 shots on the house! 👍🏽👍🏽

My waitress made my first experience amazing. We had a big group and she managed our orders and cleaned up in between like a pro. I would go back if i had her as my waitress again.

Awesome music and decent beer. They don't serve food, but you are permitted to bring your own. Service was excellent even though they were slammed for St. Patrick's day.

First, your reviewers. We are a couple of 50 year old Geordie's from the NE of England. We loved the place, and were gutted we only found it on day 5 of our 5 day trip to Manhattan. Happy hour 1-4 with Bud Lite $3 a pint. Great music (Benny Benassi, Deadmou5), lots of plasma screens for sport. Don't be put off by the walk down the stairs or the dark lighting, very friendly bar, we will be back when in Manhattan again.

Open till 4am, asked where we were from (Canada) then gave us free shots.

Great place free popcorn. The bartenders were cool I wish I would have grabbed their names. The crowd was more of an after work spot. Drinks were on point. I will be visiting again.

Great bar to retreat to when you need a break from the streets of the city! No food just drinks! HUGE selection of whiskey!

Saylor took great care of us despise mixing our cocktails with a wrist hurt! She made our New York experience better than we could’ve expected!

A great spot for meeting friends and having a drink. The have a cool party room upstairs that will serve 12-15 people.

Monica is the best bartender such a sweetheart

Super quick service. Bring your own food. Always a happy crowd

Great for a quick few drinks with friends, not overly expensive. Music is good and overall the ambiance is upbeat. If you're looking for a low-key (not dress up), reasonable drinks spot in midtown, you may want to consider this place.

Drinks were really food. And strong. No food is here. They keep your complimentary popcorn full and the music was really good. A mixture of international and hip-hop. The lounge area was really nice.

Lovely bar. Stocked my favourite bourbons, so that was all I needed. Will be back whenever I'm in Manhattan!

Happy client is here. I was very pleased with service in the bar, especially from such a beautiful girl. Irina was very professional, easy going and hospitable. The service was rocket fast and smooth. My boys and I are really happy! No way we are going back to Cassidys Pub ever again. Whiskey Trader has much better service, atmosphere and nicer staff. Thank you guys, we are definitely gonna be back again.

Great place to grab a quick drink with coworkers after work. Kind of dark but I think that adds to the allure. Plenty of seating/couch/stool options and if you have a larger group, they can get you a private room upstairs which is nice if you are closing a deal or with a group of like 6-8 people from work. No food though. just free popcorn.

After walking miles around Times Square and fifth avenue and the Rockefeller center, we enter the bar for a relaxing drink. We found a very interesting sports bar with big choice of drinks and very good service. You can listen some music, watch the game you like while you’re having some drinks. I do like my bourbon neat with a beer on the side. My wife was on the Gin and after rest and relax we found ourselves very comfortable in the Trader. Metro station for us was on the 59th. The Trader is a must go in the area for some drinks and having a good time. I don’t have photos, I promise the next time I will take some photos.

Very cool, quaint spot! Espresso martini and Old Fashion were spot on! Thank you 😊

Very cool pub in midtown Manhattan…. We were there early but Looks like it may be hoping later in the day and into the night….

+3

Great selection of whiskey and good spot to hang out to kill a few minutes before dinner. Staff were attentive and cocktails were good!

For an out of towner, this place immediately felt like my neighborhood bar. Anna (Anya?) was the actual best and the vibe was just right. Literal 5/5, would go again. In a heartbeat.

Nice atmosphere. Causal bar. Play good music. Definitely a place to chill or watch a sport game. They serve popcorn at the bar when you order a drink.

One of my favorite places to grab a drink after work or before a show. Big space, lots of tables and TVs. Would recommend coming down!

Great whiskey bar! It will be on my list of places to go every time I'm in NYC!

Epic dive bar l, came in to watch a football game and had a great time.

Jon Casey (JC)

Lovely bar tucked away. Good prices and quick services. Screens for sport and bar area plus seated area. Has everything you need draft, bottle beers and cocktails. Food availability but we didn't eat. Saw other people food and looked great

A

If you are looking for a budget-friendly, cozy bar this is the place! The bartender was very friendly!

Amanda

great vibes, good energy, delicious drinks, friendly and nice staff, especially Nayara she was such a great bartender!

Dawid Kaminski

Nice place, looks good inside. My whisky sour was perfect and friend more konwledgable about whiskey than me seem quite happy with their selection. Of course, quite expensive too.

Irina K

Loved this place! Great drinks, fair prices, and such a fun, friendly vibe. Definitely coming back!

Carly Steeve Augustin

A Cozy Midtown Gem: Friendly Vibes, Affordable Drinks, and Authentic Atmosphere Tucked away on 6th Ave and W55th in Midtown Manhattan, this cozy bar with both lower and upper lounge levels is more than just a typical after work hangout spot, it’s a local favorite, especially among finance professionals and Midtown workers. With affordable drinks and a laid-back vibe, it's easy to see why people keep coming back, even during the dry seasons of the industry. The atmosphere is welcoming, the staff: bartenders, servers, the doorman are friendly and professionals. Many of the servers come from around the world, and despite English not being everyone’s first language, they all do an incredible job making customers feel comfortable and served efficiently. I’ve never experienced the kind of passive aggressive tipping pressure you sometimes get in other places. The security at the entrance is top-notch. He is stern, friendly, checks for IDs, keeps the vibe safe and respectful. I first came here two years ago with a friend to watch a basketball game. At first, I thought it was just another sports bar until I noticed how warmly the staff interacted with him. That level of pleasant interaction with regulars made me look at the place differently. I also appreciate the fact when they’re short staffed on an unusual busy day like Monday for example, the service is still acceptable and understandable. The team clearly works well together and that “teamwork makes the dream work” energy shows.They support each other and stay accountable. The decor is another standout. Interesting wall art, famous quotes, and dollar bills with handwritten messages from customers add a unique and authentic touch you won’t find in many bars in the city. Plus the free popcorn for all customers? That’s a win. 🍿 As a certified melomaniac, I have to say their Spotify playlist is solid lots of pop, electro house, afro, hip hop, reggaeton and other music genre. Still, I think bringing in a live DJ, even just once a week, could take things to the next level. To anyone reading this long review whether you’re a local or a tourist exploring NYC you should definitely consider stopping by on a weekday night. It’s in a safe area surrounded by luxury hotels, fancy venues, and office buildings.

+5

Mando Orozco

Great spot with a solid whiskey selection! Had an Old Fashioned, a Modelo, and a Blue Moon—everything was on point. Friendly staff and a fun vibe! Oh and free popcorn and TV’s to catch a game.

Ash N. Smith

Awesome midtown bar for happy hours ! They have a great lounge area in the back!

Jaime Garcia

Not bad for a drink if you’re around the area. Does feel like an old school Pub for serious drinks but chill. Come on by while the wife sleeps.

Biraj Guha

Hidden gem, f other bars, thank you! This is the bestestest bar on 6th. Low price, given it's Manhattan. Awesome ambiaaaance. And they have free popcorn 😍. This is 10 out of 5 stars! Will come back and recommend to every drinking soul I know!!! P.S. Come here if you love WHISKEEEYS 🥃🥃🥃

melissa patton

We fell in love with this cozy, comfy spot in NYC. Drinks were less expensive and well-made. We loved the holiday decorations and fun Christmas songs. We visited twice during our weekend trip! Highly recommend

Michael Irey

Visiting from Salt Lake City, stopped by and enjoyed the service and the drinks. The couches on the lounge area are accommodating and comfortable, the cocktail waitresses are fast and efficient. One thing that really raised my eye brows was the popcorn as a appetizer. That’s different!!!

John Mullis

Very neat bar! We loved the decor! We both had some bourbon and it was well priced for New York City. The staff was very attentive even with a lot of people in the bar. Wish we would have found this bar sooner in our trip because we would have visited multiple times.

Great sports bar, wide selection of beers and of course whiskeys and whisky's. Free popcorn, can't comment on the availability of other food , did not appear to be any. Worth a visit.

Convenient 55 & 6 location to unwind without breaking the bank in a casual, man cave atmosphere. No pretenders here. Just people looking for a good pint, sports TV and eye candies behind the bar. Try the Jameson and pickle juice combo. An eye opener...

Nice bar we accidentally found and ended up here on a Thursday and Friday night. Good music, nice atmosphere.

In the cut gem. Gotta try their espresso Martin's. They are delicious 😋. Place definitely could do with some diversity, however.

Nice little spot to catch a drink and hang with friends. Didn't see a food option though...

Had a nice cold beer after a bike ride on Wed afternoon. The bar is a bar. Not a huge tap selection. But there is a sitting room that is very nice. 4 stars cause my experience was relaxing. But I can see it being very dependent on time and day.

This place was recommended to us by the hotel - my whiskey sour was very basic and not what I expected from a place with “whiskey” in the name, and more than a dozen bourbon options, but the draft beer was good and the server was very friendly.

Decent midtown watering hole. Happy hour specials are good, other pricing is not. Can get a little crowded. Staff are really great. Free popcorn is a tasty plus.

I like this place. The music is cool, sometimes they play old school which is really dope. They have some really nice couch-like chill spots all the way in the back. Only thing, my whiskey sour tasted a little diluted 🤔.

Run-of-the-mill basement bar in midtown New York, but the vibe here is often better than most other bars in the area. The staff are usually upbeat and happy, and the space makes it easy to relax. The beers are decent, as is the whisky, but best to buy bottles rather than get beer on tap. I got snowed in here once during a blizzard and it's one of the best nights out I've ever had. Ended up in Times Square having a snowball fight with fellow drinkers who I'd met that night.

Good times w a good friend. Quality service from an attractive staff and reasonably priced drinks. Not sure its a first date type place lol but an after work place it is in spades. :)

Good post-work happy hour bar. The seating downstairs towards the back feels a bit awkward, but the service is good. There's free popcorn, and a beer pong table downstairs near the bathrooms.

This place is everything everyone says: good cheap dive bar with short skirts and loud music and free popcorn! I don't miss all that very much. Maybe I'm getting too old for frat style boozing. Still fun!

Whiskey Trader earns a solid four stars as a local go-to spot for casual happy hours. The friendly bartenders and laid-back atmosphere make it a welcoming destination for those seeking a relaxed and enjoyable experience. The highlight of Whiskey Trader is undoubtedly the amiable bartenders who contribute to the welcoming vibe. Their friendliness and attentiveness create a positive atmosphere, making patrons feel right at home. Their knowledge of the drink menu and willingness to offer recommendations add to the overall satisfaction of the visit. The casual ambiance of Whiskey Trader is well-suited for unwinding after a long day. It’s a place where locals can gather, share laughs, and enjoy a variety of drinks without the need for pretense. The diverse selection of whiskeys adds an extra layer of appeal for those with a penchant for this particular spirit. While the atmosphere and friendly service are definite strengths, it’s worth noting that the overall experience may depend on personal preferences. Some might find the casual nature and lively atmosphere perfect for a happy hour, while others may seek a quieter setting. In summary, Whiskey Trader is a local gem, particularly appreciated for its casual happy hour setting and the warmth of its bartenders. It’s a great spot for those looking to unwind with friends, enjoy a variety of drinks, and savor the camaraderie of a neighborhood watering hole. Solid four stars for its genuine appeal and friendly ambiance.

This bar doesn't know what it wants to be. Is it a sports bar? A loud disco dance bar? A whiskey bar with a great selection? Or is it as the bartenders claimed, a dive bar? Yes to all of the above, but not really a dive bar. One srar for food because they don't have any food, except for🍿 which really hit the spot.

A pretty solid dive bar to go to. Whether you're here to catch a game, catch up with friends, or just looking for a spot to hang out at after work. It's a long room rather than a wide room with several staircases. It's a bit dark, but it gets packed. No complaints.

Drinks were pretty good, and a good place to watch a game.

very welcoming and friendly place with many seating options. all staff were attentive and accommodating. the draw seems to be the female staff which appeal to the male clientele. a bit strange to see tight shorts in the dead of winter. not necessarily cheezy or sleazy but there is an obvious theme. snacking on popcorn with drinks was a plus.

Good sports bar with fairly ok amount of tap beers.

Great happy hour spot for the midtown office crowd. Front area usually packed, back area usually accommodating. No food (other than salty popcorn to keep you drinking) served, but have seen others ordering from outside and bringing in. Attentive staff and generous pours keep me coming back.

This is a nice place to go if you are just looking to get out a drink. Period. They do not serve food of any kind outside of popcorn (was a little disappointed by that). Overall a good experience but it was a little too loud to have a conversation with some colleagues after work. Waiting service was great.

$5 Jameson picklebacks keep my husband and I coming back on the night before Thanksgiving every year. Free popcorn... Relaxed atmosphere... Beer pong in the basement, sports on TVs Great place to chill and have a few drinks or go out with a group of friends

Great atmosphere! Good place to stop in and relax for a bit. Service was slow..only one bartender on a Saturday evening. Otherwise awesome experience.

Jessica Harrington

Came here for 1 drink after a show at radio city music hall. Bathroom was clean. Will come back again.

+2

Jennifer LittleBear-Soto

You are greeted by lovely welcoming security upon entering. Happy hour prices range from about $8-$12 for beers/wine/shots. The waitress I had, I wouldn’t say she was rude but English clearly isn’t her first language and she misunderstood multiple things I said. She assumed what I said and mixed up what I needed all three times. I asked for the wifi password and she gave me a glass of wine. I asked her if they sold food and only then did she offer me popcorn and give the people seated next to me bowls as well. (Popcorn is the only food available here but you can order food and eat there) By the way, if you love the smell of freshly popped pop corn … you’ll love it here. So yes there’s FREE popcorn with your drink purchase. Also, the same waitress was only friendly when giving us the bill … I will not sit on her side of the bar again. The music was great, they have multiple floors and a large seating area. I’d recommend you stopping by if you want a cheap drink, warm atmosphere, and huge screens to watch sports.

Alex G

If you're in Midtown and want to avoid the high end restaurants and bars in the area, swing in by to the Whiskey Trader! I'm almost sure it's the only "dive bar" in a 5 block radius. Come here for: 1. Very casual ambience 2. TV screens 3. Super efficient bartenders 4. The decor 😁 Seriously though, I love this spot. I come here once in a while for s quick beer and maybe some sports viewing. Great low key bar in the heart of Midtown.

A party of us arrived on a Sunday evening and there was a new bartender so I can understand why the drinks were weak considering their prices. She did her best and with experience she could get better.

Came by for happy hour, they dont serve food so that was my only issue as i was very hungry. They do give you popcorn as a snack while you drink.

An ok generic bar. They've got overpriced standard things. Sometimes even a lonely akward dj on a pedestal that might as well have been a cheesemo pop-playlist running of an iPod behind the counter. But.... They got a beerpong table one level down in the back. You be the judge!

Typical bar. The bartender was attentive. I thought, for some reason, I was headed to a whiskey bar. Not a college bar with cheap shot specials. Had my expectations been appropriately set, this place could've been fun. Check it out?

It's okay if you just want a couple of drinks and hangout and watch some sports. Bartenders are cool, but the bar manager needs to improve on his people skills.

Just another typical bar. Went on a Monday night and it was decently filled. There is nothing special about this place, it is actually kind of small. It has seating in the back. The giant coat racks in the middle of the bar will only cause problems if and when people decide to take what's not theirs.

Decent spot near Central Park. Slow during the weekdays but clean, well lit, and has friendly service. Drank for a couple of hours but never received a buy back. Came back later in the week around 8pm and the place was bouncing. Good loud music, beautiful and friendly bar girls, good vibes. Great Stella on tap.

John Vandercook

The atmosphere here is kind of depressing and kind of wonderful at the same time. We popped in after visiting moma for a quick drink and it was full of people who looked like they'd been drinking for a week and looked rather discombobulated. It's nice to be downstairs in a semi-basement because it's quiet but I felt sadder inside than I was before I went in.

Will probably not be back. The bartender Natalia was beyond rude to me. As she arrived to take over for the PM shift she completely disregarded and cleared out my drinks/popcorn. After I asked her why she would do that as I wasn’t done she was very unapologetic. I am appalled by this behavior

Just finished up at the Whiskey Trader. Don’t come here if you’re a whiskey connoisseur. I asked the bartender for a shot of Lagavulin 9 year, and he had no idea what I was talking about. If you want a knowledgeable bartender who knows his/her whiskies, look elsewhere. Additionally, this bar is a misnomer. They hardly had any options when it came to whiskey selections. They certainly had quite a few well whiskies, (Southern Comfort, etc.). When you find this bar while walking down the street, keep walking. This is a perfect bar for a college noob who wants to get drunk on crummy liquor. I had higher expectations for a bar called, Whiskey Trader in NYC.

What a crazy, incredible horrible experience!!!!!! Me and my girl friend are staying at the Warwick hotel just in front of the bar. We ve decided to go to this bar for a drink... At the entrency as we got in,, the bouncer, opened the door said hi to both of us and we answered back with our French accent. Once inside of the bar he came to us asking for our ids ( we re both almost 40 years old), my gf showed him hers and I told him mine was at the hotel.. That I can eventually get back to the hotel and come back with it which would take me 4 min. Instead he said to me : " no man it s fine, you know what!? Juste get your drinks have fun and when you leave you tip me. OK?" I was very surprised ! Thought he was joking, but he wasn t.... I told him " what tip? You are talking about !? Is that how you treat your customers???! " what is that? Who does that? He asked us to leave saying" WELCOME TO NEW YORK, THIS IS NEW YORK! " unbelievable. Hope the owner of this place will. Read this and be aware of what kind of bouncer he hired....

Wow, just wow. Don’t waste your time. Mz. Thang behind the bar (the bartender) just wanted to sling her hair around and look at herself in the mirror. Ordered a second round, just three of us, brought two of the three. Guess that’s probably a good % for her!!

Got here on a Monday around 3pm, 4 adults and a 3 year old kid; stopped for a quick drink; we got seated, ordered drinks and they got our card. 15 min later they asked us to leave because apparently kids are not allowed here; which is fine but why they seated us and had us there for 15 min? They should have said something right away.

Weekend Doorman is the best. Bartenders need to make Adult Size Drinks and stop ripping people off but it's always packed I've no idea why. No DJ no dancing and manager is rude. No Thanks! The Bar next door is Bigger, Funner and Friendlier.

The service was beyond slow. No one in there on a Sunday. The waitress couldn’t be bothered. Went to the bar and the bartender couldn’t make a proper Manhattan. He made it equal parts vermouth and bourbon. I’ve never been to a whiskey bar that can’t make whiskey drinks.

Very poor service. We were overcharged, probably assuming we wouldn’t notice—but we did. Unfortunately, I only realized it after paying. They told me they would refund the money, but it’s been a week and nothing has happened. They don’t answer phone calls or emails. Fortunately, my friend caught the overcharge before paying—so I was the only one who ended up losing money. Please make sure to check your receipt before paying!

Maybe hire a second member of staff for a holiday month.

Terrible place, just went there and the bartender was Racist, refused to serve us and asked us to leave after asking for pricing of a pool table. I can’t believe people like this exist in this world. Avoid at all costs!!!

ILIR Muzlijaj

Absolutely the worst service in the city. The bartender was rude, disrespectful, and clearly didn’t want to do her job. I sat at the bar ready to order, and she snapped “no, wait a moment” with a nasty attitude. Date: 12/13/2025 If this is how customers are treated, it’s no surprise this place is heading toward losing business. Management seriously needs to replace staff like this. There are plenty of better places to spend your money and actually enjoy your night.

Fried Sushi

Security guard wrongfully removed citizen for no reason. Allowed problematic WorldofTshirts in to livestream the whole bar, but when another patreon comes in he's removed because security assumes its "for views" disgusting.

Ronnie Benz

At first glance this bar looks like it would be a lot of fun, unfortunately looks are deceiving. Got a seat at the bar & it took the bartender 20 minutes to offer me a drink. Second drink took 23 minutes. 3rd drink 22 minutes. Since I had so much time to wait between drinks I noticed all the flies around the bar. Pretty disgusting 🤢🤮 So I did not order any food. This place has potential to be a great bar but their employees need a lot more training in service & respect. I would not recommend this place. You have been warned.. come here and you will leave unsatisfied & thirsty