Lounge 43 — Attraction in New York

I hit up this place not too long ago for my first time trying out this place after quarantine restrictions were lifted for outdoor dining and treating myself to a single lady solo night out. It was very chill and the vibes were awesome. The staff was very friendly and welcoming towards me. The music was good too and the set up was pretty nice. My only complaints are they do charge A LOTTT for refills on the hookah so that’s why I rated it 4 stars because the whole price to get just the hookah alone is pretty pricey itself so why charge a hefty amount but I guess that’s how they make their hustle (no shade) and they also charge for water so I want to give you all the heads up. I think water should be free in my opinion just from being at other bars in my life and they always gave free water but I understand that it could have likely been due to covid so I’m not too worried or stressed over that. They did alert me ahead of time that they only have VOSS bottled water and they charge for that so it wasn’t no shock or surprise. I needed the water. Can’t say much on the drinks, I didn’t get any. Food was okay. They have some Spanish food options. Other than that, I had a fun time by myself just getting away for a little while.

Update**: I went out another time to have indoor seating before mandate for vaccine. It was chill. Food was good, had to order a dish if you wanted to drink. Drinks were okay, didn’t really drink much that night but my mom liked the variety of drinks and flavors for the hookah. We enjoyed our hookah too! The servers were so sweet and helpful. The music the dj was playing that night was lit too! Another wonderful night as a girls night out but...

WAY TOO EXPENSIVE!

My boyfriend and I googled this place as he just moved to the Bronx and we were looking to enjoy a night out without having to travel the the city. For the price we paid, we should have just went to the city or Washington Heights and we would have gotten more!!!

Our bill came up to $150 and all we had was 2 drinks and a hookah. The hookah alone was $50!!! We tried to not complain and just enjoy our night together however I was upset when we asked for a coal replacement and we were told “ because you have a pineapple head it takes more coals so it’s $20”.

I called prior to us going there and I was told over the phone that Hookah’s are $25 and that included coal replacements. I guess I was lied to.

The place looks nice, and the drinks were good however, when my boyfriend and I arrived we were the only customers there and the bartenders were not inviting or pleasant. As their friends or “regulars” walked in they said hey, with smiles and ran behind the bar, but when we came in we didn’t get a hello, or can I get you two something. All we got was a “you can’t sit in the back it’s only for bottle service”.

Essentially we were displeased with the prices, but we may have been able get over it and enjoy our time there had the bartenders been more nice. We would happily pay a 25% gratuity for good great service, too bad we were forced to pay it and the service was terrible.

I would ONLY recommend this place for a big celebration of happy hour when prices are significantly cheaper.

We won’t...

This spot was shockingly pricier than similar spots in Mid and lower Manhattan. We were visiting City Island and thought we'd check out a spot before we headed back down to LES.

The CONS They are really screaming you don’t belong here, to lots of people. $30 minimum to run a card?! $3 for bubbly water out of the tap gun and $5 for bottle water. Nooooo freeeeee water. $15 per drink. $250 to sit on their small dance floor.

They made a presentation about the drinks being large because of the cup size but it wasn't a nice mixologist drink, it was similar to a TGI Friday's.

The ladies behind the counter we're lukewarm to us. Let's say customer experience was ok. Not horrible but I also think they realized we were not understanding their high stakes to be a customer in their bar.

The sad part is the place was empty. It was $250 for bottle service. But no on was there and they created a situation where you couldn't sit near the dance floor unless you pay the $250.

Trying to be a club. I get it. It's a cute attempt but they blocked opportunities for everyone to have fun. Maybe that’s their way of cutting out people who loiter but I’ve never been to a bar in nyc with the high stakes like this one, and the clubs with similar terms are bringing in world class DJs and have more than blue Christmas lights to create a mood.

Next time we will just go back to City Island.

PRO Clean, bught blue...