Ampersand

Well crafted cocktails, and great vibes! I enjoyed the drinks and experienced friendly service. The atmosphere was exactly what you want in a cocktail bar. Great music, perfect ambiance, and welcoming energy. 10/10 reccomend!

Dimly lit bar with a cozy vibe and friendly staff. The drinks are creative and unique…think purple corn and artichoke liqueur. Great date night spot!

Casual, relaxed bar for a drink and nibbles. The paloma was good and the cheese board was good quality serving Murray's cheeses. The guac and chips was also good. Chips were thick and crunchy.

I was looking for a chill place to grab a drink and bite before meeting a friend and stumbled upon this place. So cute and good vibes! Not too loud which I loved

Visited prior to a show at Gramercy Theater. Great spot to grab a snack and drink prior to going. Ask for Justin. He made my experience quick and great if you are in a rush. Will come back!

Nice little bar in Gramercy. I visited on a Monday night and it was pretty crowded. The White Negroni was on point, although there were not many innovative drinks. I'll probably try it another time.

Great cocktails with an easy going vibe that makes getting a drink on a Tuesday afternoon worth it. I've been a couple of times and each times has been great. The bartenders and friendly and quick. Don't know what you're in the mood for? Let them create a cocktail for you and it won't disappoint. Easy going, quality cocktails with a vintage feel, definitely one my go-to bars in the city.

Didn't order food but drinks were great. From outside you can't tell how cool the place is. Wait staff are very friendly, and there was ample seating.

During a recent New York City trip, I decided to search for a local cocktail bar. Ampersand had great reviews, and I checked it out on a weekend evening. Thankfully, it was not too crowded, and there was ample seating both at the bar and on the floor. Service was mixed; there was only one bartender and it took a while to get his attention. However, I thought the drinks were well-made, and he had an approachable demeanor. They do offer a cocktail menu, but you can also order what you would like off-menu. Both drinks I tried were great, and I could see myself visiting again if I was in the area.

Chill spot to hang on a Saturday night. My friend was celebrating her birthday here, so I dropped by Saturday around 8:30 pm and to my surprise, it wasn't too crowded. There were some empty tables both in the front and in the back. The rest of the group had already been here for a couple hours and were multiple drinks and cheese platters in. Apparently the cheese platters here are tiny, as I heard from my friends. I asked whether they could make a mocktail, and they were able to make a delicious cucumber-based mocktail for only $7. I was very pleasantly surprised! Their cocktail menu is extensive and most drinks run $16-17 which isn't bad for New York. I didn't order anything off the cocktail menu, but everyone else enjoyed their drinks.

Cute date spot, plenty of two top tables and same larger ones for groups. Food was good but the cocktails were definitely the highlight

Love this place for a date night spot. The decor inside is just beautiful and so romantic (but also a great vibe for a group of friends) and the drink selection is really nice. We were able to walk in and get a table so that was a pleasant surprise. Great service too

Really loved the vibe of the space and had a nice lively crowd. The cocktail that my wife ordered was pretty decent and strong, but they had basically no non-alcoholic choices, and I mean not even sprite or ginger ale. Considering the other great cocktail spots in the area, was a bit of a let down in this respect. Otherwise a fine choice for a typical beer or cocktail with a friend

Went to Ampersand on a Saturday evening around 9:30/10 with one other person. Based on other reviews I had expected (and was dreading) a wait but was surprised to see that there were a number of tables open. Thought I am not a huge fan of cocktails, this spot seemed to specialize in them so I had to try at least one. I opted for the poblano sour which was mezcal based. It was pretty good! I sort of wished it had a salt rim because I'm a sucker for a rim but the actual cocktail itself was slightly savory?? so it was fine without. It went down very easy and I enjoyed sipping on it. Opted for a tequila soda after and it didn't taste very strong so I'd say for those who want heavy pours on a night out this isn't the best. Shoutout to the waiter though, he was very warm and welcoming, I enjoyed being served by him!!

Went out with the hubby to meet up a friend visiting from out of town. It was a Thursday night around 7:30pm. The place was full, but not overly packed. We were able to get a table quickly with barely a wait. We were there to grab drinks before dinner reservations at a different location, and the waitress who took our order was really sweet and patient. She seemed very knowledgable about the drinks on the menu and made recommendations based on our preferences. We enjoyed everything she recommended and was able to try some things we didn't initially think to order. The bar has a very intimate and cozy feel to it. Perfect for date nights or meeting up with friends. While the noise level was moderate, we were all able to have a conversation without resorting to yelling... which is a perfect level of background noise 10/10 would come back here again.

This place was full of life, the smell of eucalyptus, and the sound of playful throwback pop sounds on a Friday night. We had a very friendly and prompt server. We ordered drinks and an app. The chips for the chips and guac tasted a bit stale and not very salty unfortunately but the drinks were pretty good. I got the flamingo and really enjoyed it!

Super cozy and I love this neighborhood gem. I always feel super relaxed when I'm here and would love to stay in the neighborhood :)

Came here around 6:30 on a Friday and there were a decent amount of people here but it never got too crowded and my friend and I could hear each other without having to shout which I appreciated. We tried: ooh la la spritz (very refreshing, literally just like an aperol spritz with not as much of the aperol taste which I enjoyed) the dr. Jones (strong but a good slightly sweet!) the hot one (a classic spicy margarita that was definitely on the spicier side!) the hornet's best (the waitress said this was her favorite and that it was more spicy, but the mango definitely cut some of it so I think the hot one was actually way spicier but this was really good with the mango juice!) I'd definitely come back!

Came here for a drink to network with someone and had the Oh La La Spritz. It was good and servers were nice. After 7:30, it was filling up but still not too loud to have a conversation. I liked the glass water bottles with imprints for the fingers to grip it. There are QR codes on the table. They play retro music. Tables and stools are small.

This is a cozy, inviting bar. It does get a bit loud so you have to raise your voice to have a conversation but it's not too bad. They have a great cocktail menu with lots of gin and tequila options. The Hornet's Nest was sweet and fruity. The Hot One was only subtly spicy, but had a nice tangy taste and a flavorful salted rim. For food, their portion sizes were a bit on the smaller side. The buffalo cauliflower was tasty. The breading was fried into a hard shell so it was quite crispy. Their guacamole was chunky and fresh. Our waitress was not the most attentive but overall, service was pretty quick.

Fun and cozy bar! Great for a date night! Ambience: this place has a really inviting atmosphere! It's dimly lit and has tons of space, but does get packed! So come early! It's also pretty loud. I sat at the bar, and loved it the spot! Drinks: I ordered the hot one and it was hot!! I loved the spice that the jalapeño added! There cocktails have really fun names and are creative Food: I ordered the guac and chips which was definitely the right choice, couldn't go wrong! Service: the bar tender was attentive and didn't rush us! Price: on par with other cocktail bars!

Cute cocktail spot in Gramercy. Inside has a cool vibe and played fun music. Didn't get any food but the drinks were good. I'd recommend one of their spicy cocktails like "the hot one". The dirty martini was good but very olivey.

Cool bar- bartender was very nice... drink I got - Getaway driver was too sweet for my taste but not terrible. Very good neighborhood cocktail bar

This place is really a winner (and sorry to sideswipe, but much better than neighboring Globe Bar). Exceptionally crafted cocktails, and an adorable rustic vibe make for a super date night spot. Even on peak Sat night, it was full but not busting out. The aura discourages standing around making for a more pleasant experience for those inside. For the quality of the cocktails, it was very reasonably priced as well.

Very good cocktails and friendly bar staff! It wasn't too packed on a Friday night and was able to find two seats at the bar. Also had surprisingly good shrimp tacos!

Low key bar with outdoor seating option. Good for going with groups. Due to acoustics, it does get a bit loud inside so not ideal for a first date. Staff was friendly and drinks served very quickly. Good to go if you're in the area already or if Rolf's is too crowded. Not worth traveling to visit but a good bar for locals

Ampersand is quickly becoming my favorite bar in the city. I'm so glad it reopened after a rough winter. The cocktails are amazing. My drinks have always been balanced, smooth, and delicious. They've got a straightforward menu with roughly a dozen options, striking that sweet spot that makes it both approachable and creative. But if nothing jumps out at you from the menu, you can always order based on what you're in the mood for, and they'll whip up something just for you. Plus with a warm, dimly lit interior, this place is so disarming. Perfect spot to wind down with a drink, great for dates and small groups!

We hit up Ampersand for a pre dinner cocktail and quickly realized we needed an excuse to came back another night. Fantastic drinks made by talented tenders. Two visits on a 4 days.

"For years I have drank from its trough of honey" What a great spot in a neighborhood that mostly has a sea of pedestrian bars and restaurants. Great drinks, wonderful atmosphere, and cool crowd. A place for happy hour or late night. Better for couple or small groups. Pros inventive, tasty, and well prepared cocktails. The Oaxaca old fashioned is a favorite. - seating: bar, large and small tables and outdoor space - bartender than know their stuff - great selection for every taste - dark, trendy decor ....the way a bar should be - about the right noise level Cons - A little pricey, but fair for what you get - well, this hood isn't the center of nightlife

This place was perfect for after work drinks! They even have a Taco pop up here, called Casa Maya, that served some kick ass tacos! First of, I want to say our waiter was super friendly, kind and efficient. He never rushed us when we took some time, perusing the extensive cocktail menu! For the tacos, I got the shrimp and fish, which were both very delicious. You won't even feel bad for being forced into buying food with your drinks. I got the poblano sour, which was the perfect mix of mezcal, lemon juice and simple syrup! I really liked their penicillin as well. We will most definitely be coming back for more!

Basing this review on cocktails alone, no food. Stopped in around 6:30 on a Saturday. Dimly lit, not too packed (note: they have covered outdoor seating in front and plenty of seating indoors), and you just seat yourself at an available table. Service is great and the bathroom is clean! :) We got the Hornet's Nest and the Hot One. Superbly made cocktails! We enjoyed slow sips and wide ranging conversation. This is perfect for a date - neither stuffy / uptight or dive-y (no disrespect to those who prefer those kinds of vibes for dates :) ). This is going to be one of my Flatiron go-to bars!

Great cocktail bar in Gramercy! Cozy atmosphere with great cocktail selection. Friendly helpful bartender and server. We were there early for a pre-dinner drink-several people came in after us- I am sure it gets busy. A definite place to try when in the neighborhood!

Let's start this review off by saying I'm a grown adult man, not some little hipster that needs a funky drink, it seems that the bartenders fall into that category too and only serve their kind first. Amazing since we were a large group with very deep pockets and they chose to ignore us the short time that we were there. After flagging down the bartender more than three times, I just got frustrated and got a beer. I was overhearing everyone at the bar bitching and complaining that the drinks tasted funky. That's wonderful and everything, but do your experimenting on people that aren't paying top dollar for a drink in Manhattan. Not a recommended location. Unless you enjoy hanging out with those type of clueless people.

We came here at 4:45 on a Wednesday night. Walked in and there were two couples already drinking there. We ordered our drinks and waited 25-30 minutes for our cocktails. By the time it came, the bar was full but no one had gotten drinks. Two kids also came in to sell Oreos for their basketball teams. The bartender had asked them to leave but they just sat down at the bar and laughed in his face. Once we got our drinks, we closed our tab and left. The best part about it was that the bathroom was clean.

So I was here a few times with my gfs and they told me this place was an online date meeting spot. This is pre-pandemic of course. Now, it was empty on a Saturday night. People think I know all the hot spots because I am "Elite" (don't get me wrong, I love being one, but sometimes the pressure), but I honestly hate picking places to eat and usually ask my other Elite friends for places. This time, I chose this place all on my own so I am very proud. I had a boozy brunch downtown with a gf before meeting up with an online date last minute so I just picked a place close to him. I arrived earlier so I got started and got the Flamingo. I replaced the mezcal with Tito's and it was yummy! A watermelon soju kind of moment done right aka no soju. It came with a flamingo toothpick so I took them to give my gf who collects them, but I don't know where they went so...I guess it is more the thought than execution... Would I make my way to go here? No. Will I go here for a Bumble or whatever app date? Heck yeah. Let's bring tradition back!

This is a really cute place to gather with your friends after work and get drinks. Their mojitos and margaritas (especially the passion fruit) are really great and nothing tastes like cheap alcohol. The ambience is very beautiful and romantic. I wish they cleaned up the bathroom a bit more regularly though. The food however was my least favorite part of this place. The guac and chips were less than okay and the shrimp tacos were not that satisfying or flavorful. I would advise to just get drinks here and get food elsewhere.

Good cocktail bar in the Murray Hill/Kips Bay Area. It's usually pretty busy in the evenings but good cocktails and some food options. There are a lot of small tables making it a good place for a date or small group hangout. Had the fish tacos that were pretty average but want to come back to try more of the menu.

Classic. Stylish. Fantastic. This bar offers a unique blend of true cocktail drinks without the typical pretentiousness one might expect from a bar of this caliber. My friends and I came here on a busy Friday night without any expectations and were blown away by the drinks menu. Pages of cocktail combinations and a bartender that served us pretty quickly amidst other waiting customers. The lighting is smooth and dimly lit, perfect for a true evening out with coolness. Many of their drinks looked outstanding including the Oaxaca Old Fashioned - mixed with mescal and erved exceptionally smoky. I ordered the negroni which contained the perfect combo of ingredients. The music was non-intrusive lounge. The bar had plenty of seating available while the walls were industrial and polished: a nice mix of classy chic and authentic rustic. A+ service, drinks and ambiance - what more could you ask for?

I enjoyed this bar during happy hour on a Wednesday afternoon. When I came here around 4:30pm, it was fairly empty albeit a couple of people in the front of the bar. The place is a bit on the small side but you don't notice that until later in the day. Once it hit 6pm, the place was filled. I loved the aesthetic here which was dark and kind of romantic. If you get there early enough, you can snag a table in the back which is what I did.

For me and my taste, Ampersand has the best cocktails in Manhattan hands down. Must order: "The Hot One" (aka spicy margarita) $14. Things that make this the most bangin cocktail= *their willingness to scratch infuse a jalapeño tequila *made with tequila blanco and not repasado or some crappy yellow gold tequila *the extreme spiciness is beautifully offset with sweet notes of pineapple and much needed acid from lemon *who doesn't love a garnish of chili salt and a fresh jap. They should really rename this cocktail "The Balance" because it is that and more in a nutshell. Also I just drooled on my phone typing the description out. Ampersand gets slightly to severely packed most nights. Seating at a table or high top is selective but they offer ample seating at the bar. Although this place gets crowded, I honestly can say that I've never waited more than 5 minutes for my cocktail/s. These bartenders are experienced and my cocktail is always consistent which is important. Nice cozy date spot because it's intimate & dimly lit! ...also an appropriate bar if you need to meet friends out for drinks but don't wanna put makeup on this is a great spot because you can't see shit :)

Early dinner mid week. Loved the music! 80's throw back. Atmosphere-laid back, eclectic, almost rustic. Food-fish tacos were DELICIOUS! Cauliflower blue was a great way to start, so good! BB tacos were good but the fish were so much better!

Ampersand is a charming restaurant/bar in the east 20s. Last night around 8:30 pm it was hopping. There were no empty seats at the bar or at the high top tables in the front of the restaurant. Since we were there for dinner we went to the back and were seated at one of two open tables. I would love to come back at a less hectic time, since I will admit the acoustics weren't great and it was hard to hear across the table. Ordered: Sweet dreams ($14)- I would give this drink 3 stars. It tasted like a cross between a White Russian and a hot chocolate. It was made with rum, creme de cacao, and almond and was served warm with a marshmallow. Strangely it looked slightly curdled although this did not impact the taste. It was very sweet and boozy. I like sweet drinks but somehow this was too sweet. Harvest cider ($14)- this was another warm boozy beverage. I love that Ampersand has a selection of drinks served hot, the perfect way the warm up when it's below freezing outside. This one had apple cider, whiskey and a cinnamon stick. Burger burger ($15)- I really enjoyed this cheeseburger. It was was cooked just as I had ordered it (medium), was topped with melted cheddar cheese and was served with crunchy and salty shoestring fries (and a lot of them!). I'd definitely order this burger again. I would recommend Ampersand. I'm looking forward to visiting on a weeknight to experience it a bit less crowded.

was eating nearby and a friend suggested going here afterward. such a great vibe w great cocktails! ended up having a super fun night just sitting at the table and the waitresses were v fun to talk to as well! we had a group of 4 and were seated in ~10 mins on a Friday night (about 10pm)! all the drinks I got were super tasty yet decently strong (and I really hate the taste of alcohol) the best one might have been hornet's nest which everyone eventually ordered at least once. the hot one tastes similar to it except spicier and less fruity. the one w the cucumber was also pretty light. the strongest drink someone ordered at the table was the vesper which wasn't too hard to go down either. def a great spot for drinks and would go back! there is only one bathroom though so the wait can get long!!

Was looking for a spot to have a cocktail or two and a light meal before a show at the nearby Gramercy Theater. Searched for a happy hour and came up with this place. Upon walking in there is no host stand so I presumed you just seat yourself either at the bar or at the high tops all around the place. Regular tables are in the back, but they all were empty so we grabbed a high top table. Not sure about their drinks so we looked around for a menu and the bartender noticed so he handed us two right around the time a server brought us menus. She jokes that hers had better prices, but we should go with what we want. Cool, funny... digging the place so far. Tried the Paloma and Dark and Stormy off the HH menu which knocks a few bucks off the usual price. D&S was well made with a great ginger kick, but my Paloma tasted a bit flat and sweet, still drinkable. For food went with the cheese plate and the fish taco. Somehow we ordered Shishito peppers by mistake (perhaps because it was a bit loud inside and Paloma sounds like peppers when you read lips?), but it was a good one because they went well with what we ordered. Didn't try the cheese plate, but it looked like a good selection. Fish tacos were decent, but the shells were a little dry. I liked the pineapple salsa which had a bit of heat with this. Service was efficient and quick. You could see our server was rushing around the place, but still took a moment to fill our water glasses from the bottle on our table. A bit too quick though when taking the bill when I left a credit card and $20 for a tip. For some reason the server deducted the $20 from the bill and put the rest on the card. Good thing I noticed and asked because she almost missed out on the tip due to the misunderstanding. A good spot with a large selection of cocktails, good service with menu & decor that seems very on trend. A solid 3.5 stars due to food issues and stumbles, but upped it to 4 because I do like the trend.

Good bar in the city whether you're looking for a place to hang out with friends or if you're looking to take someone on a first date. The drinks are good with a solid selection of beer. Very intimate ambience. Did not try the food, but seems like a good array of bar snacks and finger foods to share.

VERY limited food menu... mostly open tacos served on the cold side... but deliciously spiced. The staff is just great. Always a smile, overworked (when we were there on a packed Thursday night, there were only two waitresses covering the whole place... and one of them also had to check COVID cards and IDs), but still accommodating. Really willing to go out of their way. One of our group was dissatisfied with her cocktail... not enough whiskey... or maybe the wrong kind. POW an exchange with another full glass... and still a smile on the waitress. This is a great place for a date or a reunion between two friends. There are a lot of tables for 2s. The music isn't too loud, and the customers seem almost as friendly as the staff.

Came here last night when it was pouring rain and had a really good time. The vibes were classy yet casual, and perfect for a small group on a chill night. I had the Rosella cocktail which was really strong for me, but I made it through the night with a slight blush and good laughs.

Came here Saturday around 8pm and it was half full, which was a bit of a nice surprise to me because last time when I stopped by on a Tuesday night it was jam-packed. I liked the place's layout: there were tables for small-size groups by the window, stools that semi-circled the bar, intimate two-seat cocktail tables along the wall, and more tables towards the back of the room past the bar. I had the Castaway cocktail but it was a tad too sweet for my taste. However, our bartender was super nice, music was dope, and vibe was chill but chic - great alternative to the myriad bro-bars in Murray Hill/Kips Bay. I would come back again and try something else.

Nice place to grab drinks after work, before a night out, or with a date. Please be nice to the people who are working now- there is a pandemic still going on , an employee shortage, and a really bad global supply chain delay. Julian the bartender was very patient and attentive. Makes a hell of a pineapple based dark and stormy. The fish tacos are actually pretty good here too.

Nice to find such a great cocktail bar in Murray Hill! I had a couple of their Mezcal cocktails and they were both excellent. Service was cordial and fast. Bar was fun to sit at and great music. We also had the guac and chips and the tacos. Highly recommend the food as well!

Ampersand is a hip trendy bar, but I honestly wasn't very impressed. Theirs drinks were average, but their food was subpar. The fish tacos weren't very flavorful or crispy and their guacamole and chips are average at best. The chips tasted a bit stale and the guacamole was something I could get from the grocery store. Their service was also a bit slow for my liking. We had to call down our waiter a few times to get a an update on our order. It took quite a while to get our drinks, however, it was a Friday and they were fairly busy so I understand it can be hard to keep up. My biggest grievance would be the lack luster on the food. I know Ampersand is more known for their drinks, but if you're going to offer it on the menu, it should be up to par.

Great bar with a great staff! All friendly and will be happy to engage in conversation with you!

My friends and I went here late last night. I had the Oaxaca Old Fashioned and it was spectacular! It's made with mezcal and makes it exceptionally smoky and very very tasty. My friends tried a few different drinks and they loved their selection as well. Their menu has something for everyone!!! I love the setting of this place! Great seating options for larger groups or couples and a very nice bar area. My bill came out to be $28 not including my tip yet. I think that's great pricing for the drink I got. I would definitely come back to this spot next time I am back in town.

Great cocktails and vibes. Came here on a Saturday afternoon before dinner and was very impressed. Service was great and I thought the drinks were very fairly priced. Will def be coming back in the future.

Love ampersand. Its a cozy dark little neighborhood bar with fantastic atmosphere, fantastic staff, and fantastic cocktails. They must have like 100 house made syrups and bitters and whatnot. Good booze selection. About 8 beers on tap. All around a great place. Also its open late, so when all of the other BS places close at 2 its still open for a night cap. They have great fish tacos and the white bean dip is the shizznizzle. They also make a perfect version of my absolute favorite cocktail, the Penicillin. A mixture of lime/lemon juice, honey ginger syrup, famous grouse scotch, and a float of laphroaig 10. Its not on the menu but its the bomb diggity. Overall great place any time of day, but especially good around 2am.

Came here late on a Friday night around 130am and it was fairly empty and easy to get seating for our large group of 11. I ordered the rich girl, which was gin, dolin blanc, strawberry, rose water, lime, and egg white. This drink was frothy and smooth. Highly recommend this drink for the egg white fans. They also have another egg white drink with mezcal if that floats your boat. Plenty of couch seating in the back for big groups. Order the drinks at the bar cause they won't come to you. Chill ambiance without any loud music. Great for unwinding after a long night out or starting the night off.

Great music and pours. Felt the charm of NYC and yet had a familiar vibe, like you'd been there before and liked it even if it was your first time. Great bartenders!