The staff was friendly, the space pretty and ornate, and the the cocktails were tasty. I am adding it to my regular spots.

I like this little hidden gem. I usually come here for open mics. The hospitality is great and the drinks are very unique. The bar makes their own juice and soda so the cocktails are always so refreshing. My fave bartender is Jay (I believe that's his name) super sweet guy and he makes this ginger cocktail that's to die for. Ginger is my go to now, for my cocktails, thanks to him. His ginger cocktail is not on the menu, but if he's there he will happily make it for you. Prices are typical Manhattan prices, but they do have a happy hour and you can bring food into the bar. This place is perfect for a date night or if you and/or a friend are really into unique cocktails.

Great cocktails and service. I called to make a reservation and Brian went above and beyond to be helpful. Indoors there are barriers and nice spacing and the outdoor area is very warm. Also- the PBJ is something out of a kindergarten dream.

Very intimate cocktail bar with great staff. Their Thyme and Kiwi cocktail (Thyme lasts forever) is one of my favorites in the city. Also great for a late snack is their pimento cheese with Fritos. Yum. Also great is you want to play a few games of pinball.

Excellent bar with delicious food. This is a cool speakeasy-type bar that will also blow you away by how tasty their snacks are. The drink menu is very creative and serves unique flavors. I tried the drink with mezcal and tiquilla and was impressed with how delicious it was, and not too sweet. And while I was busy chatting away with a friend in this nicely decorated bar, the server offered us a small plate of sandwiches and popcorn to snack on. And while popcorn may seem like an ordinary bar snack, I had never expected it to be coated in truffle oil instead of butter. What a nice touch and a deliciously addictive flavor. Love this place.

Subject is always a good time. Their new outdoor seating is comfortable, and the inside which has new touches looks better than ever. Service here is always 100% although it looks like a neighborhood spot don't sleep on the cocktails.

Spectacular pro run cocktail bar. Great drinks, amazing ambiance!!

Very nice cocktail lounge with a wide range of unique ingredients and spirits. Cozy atmosphere with booths and tables, great date spot!

Love their creative drinks menu. I had Thyme lasts forever (Round 1), then Pom & Circumstances (Round 2). They were both delicious and interesting in taste. Will go back!

Great drink options. The staff was really welcoming and helpful. Made a cold night in the city nice and warm. We tried the Accidental Tourist and the Au Pear. Both delicious.

My boyfriend and I have had our birthday parties here several times—it’s an awesome venue! Great cocktails and great atmosphere with personable staff.

I like this little hidden gem. I usually come here for open mics. The hospitality is great and the drinks are very unique. The bar makes their own juice and soda so the cocktails are always so refreshing.

The cocktails here are delicious. Great selection of spirits excellently curated into delicious libations. The owner is also super cool and friendly. Cheers!

Friendly staff and chill atmosphere

If you go and Hollie is working, don't order from the menu. Ask her for recommendations instead. For example, bourbon, sweet, shaken. The woman is brilliant and has an encyclopedia-esque knowledge of cocktails. Trust her and let her shine and make you one of her drinks.

Reminds me Alamo drafthouse the way they have movies playing and they take your order. Spacious seating and good service

Warm cozy elegant atmosphere. Excellent vibes. Wonderful staff. The owner kindly let us stay 30min past closing time! Will remember this place.

Made a reservation here knowing very little This is what I now know. Great cocktail bar with some tasty drinks. Staff A Drinks A Value B+ Location A Packed on a Friday night!!! Make a reservation

Bartender was friendly and funny. He was also quite patient with my group's indecision. I typically don't venture away from the new classics in cocktails, but Subject has some interesting variations on their cocktail menu. I should have nabbed a picture of it.... In the ways of food, they only have two snacks, but we only ordered one: Fritos and pimento cheese. It was exactly what you think it is, and it hit the spot. The other snack was a pretzel of sorts. I don't think they apply heat to anything, so if you want actual food, I suggest you change the subject. Oh man. I kill me.

Good place. Cocktails were a bit too sweet for my taste but I'd give 5 for atmosphere and service

Amazing bar with a really creative and yummy cocktail menu. The atmosphere was wonderful and made you feel at home. The decor was modern and they serve late night food. The hotdogs are so good! They really were the highlight for me. You usually expect low quality food at midnight and these hotdogs were anything but that. Definitely give this place a try! I plan on stopping by again!

Solid hidden gem in LES. Their cocktails never fail to impress me. Even the mocktails were great. Friendly staff with a cute vibe for a date or just to hangout with friends. I adore this place and highly recommend for anyone looking for a chill, high quality cocktail spot that is open late.

Gorgeous venue, amazing service, and exquisite cocktails. The owner was super accommodating and communicated so well as I was planning my husband’s birthday celebration, and he and the staff truly went above and beyond to make it a special event for us and all our guests. We had such a great time here - I cannot recommend this place enough!

Really great little cocktail bar! Vibes were so happy,staff was friendly and drinks were fantastic. Excellent non-alcoholic options too and clean bathrooms

Fun relaxing vibe! Had been wanting to come here for a while and I'm glad I finally did! If ever in the area again I will definitely plan on coming back!

Fantastic cocktails in a comfortable environment. I do wish they had a meat/cheese platter in addition to the hot dog and popcorn they offered the evening we were there. The cocktails, though, are balanced perfectly.

Nice, intimate bar! My friends and I made a reservation at this nice but intimate spot. They were playing throwback movies, the lights were dim, but it was still appropriate to where you could carry a conversation. The cocktail menu was great. I ordered the Pomp and Circumstance, a gin based drink which was very enjoyable especially with the hint of pineapple. Service was good here, the bartender came to our table to take our orders. Would return!

Delicious and thoughtfully made cocktails. Cozy atmosphere and very nice service. Negroni was made perfectly as well as the long distance runner cocktail. Perfectly balanced and never leaning too far in one direction. This is a lot harder than it seems to get right in a cocktail. Definitely one of my new go to cocktail bars!

I love this bar! Totally unpretentious, while still serving incredible food and drink. The atmosphere is sophisticated, intimate, and cozy. The service is inviting, friendly, and knowledgeable. Great gluten free options too! Trust me- try the popcorn. This bar is a rare find- especially for the area. Highly recommend!

I hit Subject on Tuesday night for cocktails and had a great time. I got there at 7:30 and it was empty at first but quickly picked up. The bar was buzzing and the cocktails were relatively good. It was a great atmosphere for a random weeknight and I would hit it again.

I’ve been a huge fan and regular since this place has opened. The experience is always spectacular, but Kitty is extraordinary! Superior service for a cocktail bar and super personable! She makes a killer cocktail and offers exceptional service, thank you for making the world a warmer place!

I wanted to give a huge thank you to the staff and management at Subject. They were beyond accommodating of my large party of 10, offered great service, had an AMAZING ambiance, and had phenomenal drinks. Thank you for making this an incredible evening!

Excellent, comfortable upscale yet casual atmosphere - dim lighting, comfortable seating, where you're not rushed and feel comfortable just relaxing. Quiet noise level. Very friendly staff, most importantly, excellent, original, creative cocktails.

Subject has a cozy, welcoming vibe with great cocktails and a friendly bartender. It’s the kind of place where you can sit back, relax, and enjoy the night!

Nice quaint bar on the lower east side. The bar tender made us a very tasty cocktail. It tasted like an old fashion. The other bar tender brought us a delicious pop corn snack. Not the usual over buttered pop corn nor was it dry. Then he brought us super crispy grilled cheese with tasty ham and green tomatoes. Not the usual grilled cheese, but it will remind you of your childhood. There is a full bar with a large selection of drinks, beers, wine, and soda. Service was excellent. Great place to meet up with friends. Not expensive.

Drinks were great! Outdoor setting is nice

The cocktail menu is outstanding, imaginative, and delicious. The staff are unpretentious and will eagerly engage with you on inventing a new drink to suit your tastes. The aesthetic is inviting and unpretentious. In my opinion, this is currently the best cocktail bar in NYC.

had one of the best nights of our life here. cocktails are amazing, the high table booths are so cozy. sit back, bring a friend or SO, sip cocktails and watch the hours slip away until it’s 2 am.

Fantastic drinks, A++ service! Went here on a Saturday night for a dear friend’s birthday celebration and the owner went out of his way to make sure we had a great time. Thank you for a wonderful evening!!

Amazing bar! Loved the fun and intimate seating and the entire menu being gluten free! Such a good spot.

The drinks were good and stronnnggg. They accommodated us even though we didn't have a reservation. They took our temperature on the way in and were very attentive to covid safety measures. The pb and j honestly hit the spot. I can't remember the last time I had a pb&j. Nostalgic! Also they had Spider Man on the projector and it was a great choice.

Au pear cocktail is yummy. Really enjoyed the atmosphere here too. They serve hot dogs if you’re hungry.

Loved the chill atmosphere. The music was 70's, feel good, sing along. The "Winter is Coming" cocktail was refreshing and well balanced, which consisted of Tromba Reposada Tequila + Averna + Suze + Ginger + Lime + Peychaud’s. Delish! If you're in search of some late night snacks, they have salty and sweet. I heard their cupcakes with alcohol are amazing, but I opted for the healthier choice, hummos with pretzels, which hit the spot. Looking forward to my return!

One of my absolute favorite establishments of all time. Ownership cares and truly delivers at Subject.

Great atmosphere. Great drinks. Basically no food options lol. Loved the jungle drink

Vibes were super cool here, not too crowded and perfect to meet up with someone. Interestingly there’s a projector and they play movies while you’re there. Got the gin martini drink and espresso martini - both were made with care and tasted quite good!

Nice cozy place. Good service and amazing drinks.

Really cozy spot for a drink or two. Nice bartenders and a great mix of classic cocktails and their own developed drinks. Plus a couple good NA ones as well. The popcorn is a decent amount too which is really nice.

Samantha Saunion

My favorite cocktail place in LES. Not your basic drinks, the bartenders here are true mixologists. Every drink I’ve had here is superb! They don’t really have many food options though, so don’t go hungry. Oh, and they also added mocktails to their menu! The Rent Party is so delicious and tastes like a real cocktail.

Jeffrey Thomas

One of the best cocktail bars in NYC in term of quality to hassle ratio. The cocktails and vibe are great and you can usually decide to go the day of (no 1+ hour wait or reservation made 2 weeks in advance required). A great go to place in the LES.

Bob B.

This has been my neighborhood bar for the past seven years. It has a welcoming and unpretentious vibe, and the cocktails are always on point. Over the years the interior, menu and crew have changed many times, but the experience has remained constant.

Jay DeYonker

Love love looooove Subject! A must visit with great cocktails and a wonderful atmosphere. Definitely one of the best bars in the city.

Pouesh Bkfjy

This bar offers an impressive selection of creative and delicious cocktails, complemented by a cozy, welcoming atmosphere. The modern decor adds to the charm, and they even serve late-night food. The hotdogs are outstanding and were definitely the highlight of my visit! Unlike the typical midnight snacks, these hotdogs are top-notch. I highly recommend checking this place outI’ll definitely be back!

Korissa Matta

A comfortable, fully-seated, high-level cocktail bar with tables available to reserve and some walk-in space as well. They offer a thoughtful and extensive cocktail menu but will happily make classic and bespoke cocktails. No standing room, and it’s not the place to mill about, but convivial behavior is encouraged- the music and pace pick up quite a bit after 9.

Jade Zeller

Came here on a Sunday so it wasn't super busy, which was lovely. Austin, our bartender, was fantastic. He makes such well balanced cocktails and provides great service- laid back but also attentive! The Cabo Crush and Eye Candy were delicious drinks :) cute date spot, cute girls night spot, cute solo date spot

Anita J

This is such a great bar. I loved the ambiance and vibe of the place - it's a small place but they have done a great job with the seating and interior design so it feels like you have a lot of privacy. Great date night vibes with the dim lighting and snug seating. I loved the drinks - there were so many drinks I wanted to try from the menu and I'm sad I couldn't try more. We got the "Nobodoy's Lady" and "Person of Interest" - we loved them both. The first was salty and well balanced and the latter was refreshing and fruity. We also got their popcorn - they were okay, I probably wouldn't get them again I will definitely come back to try more of their drinks!

+2

Anna-Maria Felten

Incredible cocktail and a lovely atmosphere! Everything you need for a lovely night out. And if you should get hungry, the have really tasty hot dogs as a nice snack!

Clara Moneir

I love this place. It’s my safe space. Great staff, the owner is a doll. I’m so glad they are in my neighborhood. There isn’t enough space allotted here to describe how amazing this one little bar is. It’s the perfect combination of great drinks in a familiar setting that’s cozy and welcome all in one. 🥰 I only take the people I like here. You should do the same.

Chino Villanueva

I was invited to a friend’s birthday to this amazing cocktail bar. Subject for me, is one of the coolest place to hangout with your friends and celebrate what life has to offer. Their assortment of cocktails are imaginative and creative. This is a place where you can sit down, have a conversation and just unwind.

+1

Julia S

This place was great! Very cute intimate vibes for a date or a drink with a good friend. Not crowded but still bustling. We made a reservation for 3 at 8pm on a Friday night just an hour before we got there which was great. The staff are really friendly and make you feel right at home. I got the jungle bird which was good but had a little bit too bitter of an aftertaste for me. We also got an espresso martini which was 6/10 (very espresso with very little creaminess but some people like that!)

Praneeta Lakkapragada

This is a great cocktail bar to hangout with girl friends and chat. They have the usual as well as some unique cocktails. I had their rum flavoured ones. I forgot the names now but they are pretty good. Their service is great too. We were a group of 8 and she was on the spot with all the orders.

Richa Gupta

This place is the best combination of laid-back + amazing cocktails. Their mixologists really have their act together. I recommend CPD (combination...), Long distance runner and classic whiskey sour. Also great for big groups if you need to plan ahead and have a reservation.

We sat outside so I can't speak to the interior, but the drinks were all great. If you have to choose a food item, go for the hot dog over the PB & J.

Drinks were good! Vibe was nice. Manhattan prices. It smells a little funny in the middle area.

Good happy hour deal and good food. We ordered the lotus chips twice! We went with a group of four and ordered every appetizer on the happy hour menu and it was plenty of food. $5 beers, $6 wines, $7 cocktails during happy hour.

The French Toast is sweeter than usual since they cover the entire top bread with strawberry jam, it would have been good if it has less jam so I can actually taste the flavor of the toast itself. Subject The Subject chicken sandwich is good. This is one of their best stuff.

This place is a great unpretentious casual bar that has a great happy hour that lasts until 9pm. They also do signature adult slushies and signature beer and a shot mixtures. If you find yourself in the neighborhood this would be a great place to check out.

Good cocktails. Very nice interior and they play good movies. Can get better cocktails for that price in Manhattan Literally perfect date spot

Really nice vibe and sort of odd but friendly service. Drinks were really different and tasted great. Would definitely come back.

Great drinks and cool place. But expect to pay higher than normal prices. I got a Moscow mule. Expecting to pay 8. Was 17 I think. Great tho but super expensive. Anyway, they have really great outdoor seating booths that will entertain you and your guests. It’s very Les when an occasional street rat runs out and scares the tourists. Haha. But these guys are very clean and so is their establishment.

The bar itself is very nice. Its clean, casual and comfortable without feeling like you are in another dingy dive bar. I had the Les Miserables L.E.S. and you would swear there was bourbon in it from how the flavors mixed together. Its smooth and tasty, not too sweet or fruity. The food there also felt like I was eating gourmet comfort food. The grilled sandwich with cheese, ham and tomato was crispy on the outside and flavorful on the inside.

Really solid neighborhood bar. Plays films on the projector in the back. Has light bites and friendly staff. Gets pretty crowded so it's worth it to make a reservation

Not much variety in drinks, they don't have classic cocktails. Don't go there if you're planning to grab food with your drinks. They don't serve food. We ordered a hot dog, absolutely tasteless and cold. Drinks were okay.

Cocktails were great but they didn’t blow my mind. I very much enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere inside (they also had movies playing)!

Mahi R

A nice cocktail bar. The bar is pretty small. During mu visit there was only one overworked bartender/server. Drinks were just okay. I would suggest other places.

Lucy Howat

Dipped in on a Friday with two girlfriends. We wanted one last cocktail for the night at a place where we could actually talk and hear each other, without having to fight for space or to get to the bar. Luckily, they had a spot and we had the best waitress! Got a narrow little table on the back that was just perfect - secluded yet still felt a part of the space. Had some delicious cocktails and then split!

Steve Ginther

Cute little outdoor space, great vibe and drinks if slightly pricey. Update: they keep changing the interior, now chopped up into small spaces. Not inducive to groups of more than three people.

Interesting bar, they emphasis their homemade drinks alot. You can't a gin and tonic without having to us their homemade tonic. They also apparently make their own fireball drink. Overall an okay bar.

Visited this spot as part of a cocktail tour event. This place consists mainly of a large bar area, with a few extra tables and seats by the wall and window. I'm not quite sure what to make of the decor here... guess quirky would be the choice word here. Space-wise the place is roomy. However I felt the place got a bit warm and stuffy towards the end of our visit (and I am certain it was not the alcohol's doing). The vibe here is very casual and "neighbor-y". As for the drink, we tried the Les Miserable L.E.S., which is a mix of tequila, mezcal, citrus, cherry, spanish vanilla, and almond. It's a bit stronger than I'd expected, but got a very nice smokey taste and goes down smoothly. We also sampled their ham and green tomato sandwich - simple and nice bar food. All-in-all, the food and drink were decent, though I wish there were better ventilation or air conditioning.

Nice bar with some cool cocktails. It's a small space and we went on a night that someone was celebrating their bday so it was crowded and really hot in there. Cocktails are expensive but that's a given anywhere. I'd come back..maybe on a night where someone wasn't celebrating their bday.

Subject is a pretty casual bar that kind of looks unfinished. The lighting is bright, so it's really more for catching up with old friends. The pesto hummus is delicious and a great option for bar nibbles. The drinks are fine - nothing spectacular that I really have to return to. Everything here is pretty much good enough.

Bhavik

Drinks were great but service could be better. Just be nicer! Offer napkins, let us cut the food, and don’t kick us out when your bar is empty!

I went there and food was bland, even the place was fully vacant, they did put me all the way to the back corner, which is only good for a tiny person.

First went here a few years back and it was a nice quiet spot, but this last time was backed and not enough seats, and way too loud for a cocktail bar. Plus drinks were raised from $10 to $15

Server was nice, but it was way too quiet. Also had a giant screen playing the Sandlot, not a very cozy vibe. Drinks were average

Subject LES is what you'd expect to find in this neighborhood. A tiny place serving inventive cocktails and basic bites, you can see their appeal. Their execution isn't the best; cocktails sound better than they taste and those bites really are quite basic (grilled cheese made haphazardly on a Forman grill). They're new, and clearly still figuring out ventilation; the space was very warm and the air hung with the smell of stagnant grease from the grill. I appreciate what they're trying to do but they aren't there quite yet. Worth a re-visit in a few months.

Venice L.

The atmosphere was absolutely lovely—calm and cozy for a Sunday night, with perfect lighting that set the mood. It’s a great place for group gatherings or dates, and the drinks were decent. That said, I gave this experience two stars for a few reasons. When we arrived, no one checked us in, so my reservation didn’t count, and the system marked me as a no-show. Even though the place wasn’t busy, the drinks took a surprisingly long time to arrive, and the overall service felt slow. What stood out most was the bartender’s behavior toward the end. Despite me being clearly drunk, he offered me another shot, which didn’t feel appropriate. To top it off, he selected a 25% tip option for us at checkout without asking, which seemed unnecessary and pushy. Unfortunately, because of these issues, my friend and I don’t plan on coming back.

I was told I needed to vacate a bar seat for a reservation party when 1) there was no one waiting, 2) I was told bar seats were first come first serve, 3) the guy who asked me to leave had been taking shots the entire time I was there. I paid for my drinks, I tipped, and I did not overstay by any means. If you are going to discriminate at least do it in a less obvious way.

I visited for the first time yesterday. It has a lovely ambience and well decorated. The service is fast but I was surprised by the manager’s behavior. He asked us to switch to the bar from our table after about an hour and said no one’s gonna disturb you at the bar and you can have it as long as you want. There was a large group waiting so we moved to the bar from our table which we had reserved in order to be nice and kind. However, after ordering about 4 drinks while at the bar, he again asked us to leave despite his own promise of “no one’s gonna trouble you at the bar”. We ordered multiple drinks, one after another so it wasn’t like we were sitting idle and wasting his revenue. I hope no one else has to face something like this ever again.

Stanleybirdboy

They accidentally brought us an extra drink, no big deal, we figure if we get charged we’ll pay it enough though we didn’t want it. End up charging us for MULTIPLE extra drinks at $20 a piece. It would’ve been fine if we actually got to drink it, but the waitress was awful and just added tons of fake charges. Complete scam of a place and would not recommend. Unfortunate since the drinks are quite tasty and the vibe is alright. If you do go (you shouldn’t), get the Days of Heaven seasonal drink if it’s still there