No Work Allowed — Restaurant in New York

Unfortunately I'm going to have to agree with the other low ratings for this place. Absolutely atrocious service and attitude when it comes to how their customers are "expected to act" so to speak. Before I get into the negative, let me preface by saying that the trio that performed was really great! Talented musicians and super sweet drummer, shame they are playing in a place that has a hostile atmosphere for its patrons.

As other reviews have mentioned, this place has a serious problem with how it clearly does not want its customers in there. When we arrived it was obviously very loud with the group playing so it wasn't quite easy to hear, when asked if we were dining or drinking I said, "Whatever gets us a seat quickest I'm okay with", so the host sat us at a small table and mentioned something about drinks/appetizers but I thought she said something along the lines of, "This table isn't for full dining, just drinks or appetizers". We proceed to order two overpriced drinks (not a problem, expected) and start listening to the music. The waiter came back around and asked what we wanted to eat and I told him that we were okay with just drinks. His face quickly changed and I could tell that he was not happy. He returned and leaned in and said, "You told the hostess that you were going to order appetizers".

I 100% genuinely felt terrible at the miscommunication so I promptly ordered two appetizers because I completely understand that they don't want patrons just sitting around taking up table space if they aren't going to order. I apologized profusely but I could tell they were still annoyed with me even after apologizing and ordering two appetizers.

However... after about 30 minutes we are approached by another server with a snippy "Anything else or just the check?" I told them we were good and they quickly presented the card reader and I realized that meant we were basically getting kicked out before the group was going to come back on and play.

I got up and talked to our original server and again, apologized for the misunderstanding and asked if we were allowed to finish our drinks and still sit for a while or did we need to order more food and he said "You need to spend at least x amount of money if you want to stay" and very sarcastically whipped out the QR code sheet and said "Want to look at that menu again?"

Hell no. I said no thank you, we paid the check and left. Now, before anyone assumes the worst just know this, we tipped the jazz group $25 and I even gave a full 20% tip to the service staff even though the experience was subpar and we were only there a total of 45 minutes.

I totally get why they have a system like this but I think it could be handled a bit better. Customers whose total bill is ~$100 after drinks, food, and tips should be allowed to enjoy the music for a bit longer than 45 minutes and not feel strong armed into ordering food all night just to...

Spectacularly bad service— they won’t you to be there, they want every last drop of your money, and they’re just praying they get the leftovers of the Tomi crowd.

we came as probably everyone does— after giving up on the tomi line. The atmosphere was amazing. The music was great, the interior was beautiful and well lit, and the AC was blasting on a hot day. We would’ve loved to stay. However, we had no choice due to the service.

We walked in and were seated instantly, we just wanted to get drinks after looking at the food prices. We hit the 15 dollar minimum that was required of us. Upon ordering, our waitress said we needed to get food. Ok, it didn’t say that anywhere, but we obliged. She returned and we attempted to order truffle fries for the table, however, she then denied our request. She said we must order an entree per person (there were three of us). She literally changed the parameters every time she came to our table because we didn’t look like we’d spend a ton of money. What kind of business is that? It didn’t say ANYWHERE (!!!) that we needed to not only order food, but buy a DISH PER PERSON? That sort of rule setting and disrespect made us leave immediately. We would’ve loved to stay, we would’ve even paid for the music, but they changed the rules on us every time we attempted to order. the prices aren’t even the issue, and the setting is great, and we know musicians need to get paid— but acting that rude to your customers isn’t how you get business.

Never returning, this place leeches off the popular place next door and then tries to squeeze every drop out money out of the few customers they get. Maybe the food is good, we wouldn’t know.

Edit: the response is a blatant lie lol. They never offered us the option of a cover charge. Never. And “one person in our group” didn’t say they didn’t want to order food. You never said we each had to order an entree. We were going to spend over 15 dollars on food and drinks and then you switched up and said we need to get an...

No Work Allowed – A Hidden Gem Worth Discovering!

If you're looking for a place where the food, drinks, and atmosphere all come together to create the ultimate vibe, look no further than No Work Allowed. This spot is an absolute sleeper — a hidden gem that doesn't just serve great food, but delivers an experience you won’t forget.

First off, let’s talk about the Spicy Garlic Pasta. My friend ordered it, and wow, it was bomb. The garlic hit just the right notes, spicy enough to wake up your taste buds but not overpowering. It was perfectly balanced with a rich, savory sauce that had me regretting not ordering it myself.

But it wasn’t just the food that stole the show — the ambiance here is top-notch. The jazz music playing softly in the background created an intimate, laid-back vibe that made it feel like we were in the heart of a cozy, upscale lounge. The lighting was on point, setting the perfect mood for a night out, and the energy in the place was just right — lively but relaxed. It’s one of those spots where you can unwind, have great conversation, and just let the night unfold.

Huge shoutout to Perry, who made our evening even better with her drink recommendations. While I can't remember the exact beer I had, the real game-changer was mixing it with the Born Special sake. The flavor combination was something I’d never experienced before — a smooth, crisp fusion that totally set the tone for the night.

And I can't forget to mention Chat, the bartender extraordinaire, who was just as skilled with the drinks as they were with the vibe. This guy knows how to craft the perfect drink and make you feel like you're part of the family. Big love to Game too — a total pro who made sure we felt right at home.

This place is the real deal, a must-try for anyone who appreciates good food, good drinks, and a good time. Don’t sleep on No Work Allowed — it’s a whole mood, and I’ll definitely be back...