Hold Fast Kitchen and Spirits — Restaurant in New York

At Hold Fast, you’re family first and patron second! That’s at the core of what make it NYC’s best neighborhood bar. Great staff, drink selection and vibe. They rocked our semi-private event, and it’s the perfect place for friends, a date or even to pop into solo! Hold Fast has drink selections for every palate and budget, and the food is scrumptious. Hold Fast is an oasis on Restaurant Row and every friend you bring here will leave impressed. The owners - Shane and Jason - are the actual bartenders, and they pour their passion into every drop they serve. The menu rocks, prices are very reasonable, and billing is a breeze. Don’t think twice – just go! Need details? Read on!

TL;DR

Hold Fast is the type of place that native New Yorker’s dream about. These days, we find ourselves reminiscing about neighborhood staples – the types of places that served as a break from the grind, where staff knew you by name, remembered exactly how you like your order, and where the owners thought of every last detail to make your experience extra special. It’s rare to find places like this, and even rarer to have one so accessible.

Two weeks ago, I threw a party for about thirty friends to get to know each other. In preparation, we looked at over a half dozen venues. None of them came close to welcoming us in the way that Jason (co-owner of Hold Fast) did. He was super easy to communicate with and earned our trust from the second we walked in the door. Jason spoke to us as a friend and we left wanting to reward his attitude with our business. It was the real-world version of the “Shut Up And Take My Money” meme!

The event itself was a blast. Our guests loved everything about Hold Fast – the location, the feeling of having found a hidden gem, the laid-back tavern vibe, delicious food, great drink selection and overall value. What stood out the most to them however was the warmth with which the staff welcomed us.

Owners Jason and Shane were the consummate hosts. They had set up our area perfectly for the nature of our event, including an open space to mingle, a private coat rack for our group, and a side-station for food and water. Between crafting cocktails and pouring drafts they would check in on us and ensure that things were going smoothly.

Sergio ensured that we had whatever we needed – both adding tables when the party was just getting started and then removing them once we were ready to mingle. The kitchen staff ensured that food kept coming out at a steady pace and received rave reviews for flavor – so much so that even the non-drinkers in our group are dying to return. Best of all? It felt like a total team effort and you could tell that they genuinely enjoyed working there.

The true superstar of the night however was our waitress Julie! She was assigned to our group and quickly learned everyone’s name. She directed the event flawlessly – warm greeting, got to know our guests at a personal level, shared jokes, asked exactly how everyone wanted their drink, took separate orders by name (individual tabs were a GODSEND), and bubbled with enthusiasm. She also coordinated checks, and kept the food coming ensuring that we had just the right amount with a selection for carnivores, vegetarians, and vegans. Did I mention individual checks? Amazing!

Since then, I’ve returned both with a friend and solo. Each time the staff has remembered my name and drink preference. Perfect for any occasion, Hold Fast is exactly what our neighborhood needed and will be my go-to bar from here on out.

Folks trust me – host your event here, sit back, and enjoy the night! Thanks Hold Fast team – so incredibly grateful for your work that night and look forward to coming...

Updated: everyone deserves a second chance and honestly it didn’t take much convincing for me to try hold fast again. I stand by my rating of BEST wings ever, almost ordered some for the trip home. My second trip back I ordered exactly the same food and drinks as the first time it was just as amazing and the service was top notch! We also added what should be known as their famous fried burrata! The owners were personable and welcomed us with open arms. This is 100% a bar/restaurant I wish I had in my neighborhood. It is a great local feel spot but also a place to go when right before a show or any event in the city. First off I will start by saying I really hate to give this rating the food once served correctly was delicious some of the best wings ever and a large drink selection which was refreshing and tasty. However, the table next to us was delivered my meal. The lady took a bite of something of the plate realized it was not her order and sent it back. Being the table right next to them we over heard all of this. About 5 minutes later our food arrives. As I am getting ready to take a bite a member of my party says did you already take a bite of your pickle I say no. Realizing they brought back out the same plate of food they had delivered to the neighboring table as a wrong order out to me but lucky for me the lady had taken bite of the pickle so I knew it was the same plate of food. I kindly discussed this with our server who was not at fault for the “redelivery” she had them make a new sandwich and bring it out. I was still charged for the sandwich and the full meal. As we were paying she offered us shots but we were headed to a show and didn’t want shots. I feel like they did not handle this situation well from many standpoints one being we are in the middle of a pandemic and you are concerned about my vaccination status but “redeliver” a meal that has been touched and bitten into by another human and then also don’t even offer to take the sandwich off the bill or reduce the bill for an error disgustingly made by your staff. The server apologized but once again was not her fault and nobody seemed to think it was a big deal! YOU DELIVERED FOOD TO ME THAT...

We had tickets for a Broadway show and were looking to enjoy a relaxing dinner away from the hustle and bustle of Times Square. I discovered Hold Fast on the American Airlines Dining program, and the menu looked like a perfect fit for a pre-show meal.

Tucked away on a quieter street, Hold Fast feels like a true neighborhood gem. Although the restaurant isn’t large and their website didn’t offer an option to make a reservation, the staff was accommodating and welcoming. Upon arrival, we were politely asked if we had a reservation (we didn’t), but they kindly rearranged a few things and seated us promptly—a gesture we really appreciated.

The ambiance struck a great balance between cozy and vibrant, with charming décor and a relaxed vibe that set the tone for the evening. Our server was friendly and attentive from the start, making great drink suggestions and pacing our meal perfectly. We started with cocktails and appetizers, then moved on to our entrees. Everything arrived in good time and was absolutely delicious—flavorful, well-prepared, and clearly made with care.

Hold Fast was a fantastic find, and I’d absolutely return to explore more of their menu. If you’re in the Theater District and want a solid dining experience without the touristy chaos, this spot is well worth seeking out. Just consider calling ahead, especially on...