Holywater — Restaurant in New York

This place used to be alright, but there seems to have been a change in personnel. I don’t recognize anyone who works there anymore, and the faces of the ones who do seem to be miserable. The food has gotten significantly worse since I was last there (not sure if they changed the chef) and everything seemed to be flavored by butter. The bread pudding, one of my favorite desserts, was turned into a bland cube that was rubber like. Seriously, who did they hire. One of the servers offered me a seafood sausage as a special, and when I asked what that was they looked at me as if they also had no idea why it was a dish.

The music was depressing, and despite the nautical theme the place truly had no soul. When I went in the winter everyone seemed to be having a better time and the food was actually worth the prices; now it just seemed like a depressing purgatory where the servers arms were being bent to sell items they were not passionate about at all. I asked the server why they appeared so miserable and they immediately apologized and said they were “just really hungry”. I used to work in the food service so I asked, “Don’t they feed you family meal?” They said no, which disgusted me quite frankly.

The night I went there was a discrepancy with two people sitting at the bar. A short but stocky man who looked like the chef walked over and stood there like a bouncer waiting for them to leave. When they left and the scene cleared I asked the bartender what happened. He said that the two people were ex employees who came in to visit but that the manager had asked them to sit at a table instead of the bar because of some policy within the company about employees sitting at the bar. This was ludicrous, the bartender explained, since they no longer were employed by the company. I couldn’t believe how horribly they treated their employees, and the food and experience wasn’t even good enough to make it worth going back. I’m disgusted with Holywater, and I won’t be returning ever again. I highly recommend against people going there as well, as there are plenty of restaurants in the city with better food, better vibes, and who treat their employees with respect. The only reason I’m giving the service 5 stars is because they worked extremely hard and were the only positive part of...

20$ deposit for reservation ,only to get the worst table in the house, microscopic metal sharp edged side table next to an open window space to the main bar area which amplifies all sound. Could not hear anything, not the music and not my partner. Terribly uncomfortable chair. Again worst chair in the house. Far fancier places take reservations without deposit, and don't make my rear sore. Why bother with a reservation at all if it's gonna be the worst space, I'd rather not come at all.

Hurricanes sold out by the time we got there at 1030, literally one of 8 cocktails on list. A hurricane is THE new Orleans drink. Shameful. Tequila cocktail served in wrong glass, no acknowledgement even though person next to me had same drink in the proper glass. Other cocktails underwhelming. Server never asked how our drinks were, in any round. Even screwed up the umbrella on one of our drinks. Popped it inverse sticking out. Can't make this up

Decor is like a jimmy buffetts or Bahama breeze but even more cluttered. Art literally sticks out into my seating space hurting me.

A lot of great cocktail bars in NYC, this is not one of them. I should have taken the nautical theme as a red flag,...

True definitions of speakeasy here. It was actually quite hard to find. Just one small sign over a door with no one outside on an empty street on a Saturday night.

Door was actually unlocked and the vibe inside was great! Nice music as soon as you get in and posters and such all over the walls. Nice bar set up with good seating as well. We had a cozy spot with a little couch in the corner.

Drinks were also good and quite strong. Holywater Cocktail - This was their signature, one with some fancy rum and what not. This was served Extremely fancy! Server lit fire to the lime that was on top and give something which you should dunk into the drink when you want the fire to stop after you have enough. Apparently the flavor is different depending on how much you let it burn. This drink was extremely strong! You could actually tastes to the alcohol.

Hemingway Daiquiri was nice. It was not as strong and actually a little on the sweeter side. Just my kind of drink.

Paddy's Wallbanger was another good one. Strong and...