Barcelona Bar

Bar · Midtown West

Barcelona Bar

Bar · Midtown West

2

923 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019

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Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by Molly Fitzpatrick
Barcelona Bar by Molly Fitzpatrick
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null
Barcelona Bar by null

Highlights

Over 100 themed shots with performances, props, and music  

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923 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019 Get directions

barcelonabarnyc.com

$20–30

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923 8th Ave, New York, NY 10019 Get directions

barcelonabarnyc.com

$20–30

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Last updated

Aug 18, 2025

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@infatuation

The Best, Most Fun Bars in NYC Right Now

"The best shows in the Theater District happen inside a dive bar. You might not realize what you're in for at Barcelona Bar until you clock the hats, masks, glasses, swords, wigs, and animatronic Grogu stocked behind the counter of this Hell’s Kitchen dive. Barcelona's theme shots—which traffic heavily in millennial nostalgia like Harry Potter and SpongeBob—are bonkers mini-performances, complete with music, costumes, and props. And at $10 each, they're some of the most fun you can have per dollar in town." - sonal shah, bryan kim, neha talreja, willa moore, molly fitzpatrick

https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/guides/best-fun-cool-bars-nyc-right-now
View Postcard for Barcelona Bar
@infatuation

Barcelona Bar - Review - Midtown West - New York - The Infatuation

"Since 2005, Barcelona Bar has been operating on the sacred principles set forth by the poet Lil Jon: “Shots. Shots. Shots. Shots, shots, shots.” At this Hell’s Kitchen dive with a neon shot glass in the window, the beer is cheap, and the jukebox tempting, but most importantly, their menu of more than 100 shots is unlike anything else in the city. The infamous “theme” shots are really audience-participation skits, complete with music, props, and costumes. Consider the Pokémon shot: The bartender clutches a Squirtle doll and blasts a bubble gun before serving up a generous, pale-pink pour that tastes like a too-sweet, mystery-fruit juice box you’d have been psyched to find in your lunch bag—or possibly liquefied Jigglypuff. It’s perfect." - Molly Fitzpatrick

https://www.theinfatuation.com/new-york/reviews/barcelona-bar
View Postcard for Barcelona Bar

Joetta Bryant

Google
Darrell was amazing behind the bar. Shots were fabulous and just a cool place with a very chill vibe. Great drink prices and a great time!!

Karoon Walljee

Google
Stop by after dinner celebration for partner for some shots. this spot is the ONLY bar that has themed shots. If you haven't visited , go and be entertained. Staff are amazing 👏

Corey Budnick

Google
This is a unique bar experience that will be on future tik toks, if not already. The “themed” experience is so ridiculously fun… personally I have never been to a bar like this and I honestly will probably talk about it for years to come. It’s sorta “underground” and there’s zero glitz. But my god is this a fun place. One of the best experiences.

Allison L.

Google
The most fun you will have at a dive! Servers are spirited and hilarious!

Albert Zhang

Google
Went in for some drinks for my friends birthday, the owners were phenomenal, the service was top notch and we were served directly by them. They were very attentive and kind. It was the most comfortable bar I’ve ever been to. We will definitely be back and cheers to them for their exceptional hospitality!!! I hope this place stays for a long time to come :)

bill guffy

Google
There was a bartender who handed me a tutu and played a lovely song before taking a celebratory shot. He truly looked out for us almost like a guardian angel. When a rowdy guy leapt over the bar, shouting and causing chaos, the bartender didn’t hesitate. “Not in my bar, sir!” he declared, tossing the troublemaker out without missing a beat. The whole place erupted in applause. I’ll never forget it I owe that man my life.

Judy Feng

Google
Amber was amazing! We came with our friend Kevin and brought some other friends and this place is always surprise and delight! Amazing music, amazing vibe, amazing shots and amazing bartender Amber. Will always come back when we visit NYC!

Ronnie Shumake

Google
Themed shot spot. I am partial to Indiana Jones and also Top Gun. There are a plethora of shots, all have a gimmick to go with the libations. Perfect place for tourists, locals who want something different to experience. I've been coming here since the 90s it feels like off and on. I've never tried the food, though maybe I did and just don't actually remember. I just don't remember them having food years ago, so maybe it's a newer thing in the last few years while I was away from NYC.
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Taylor A.

Yelp
This bar looks very unassuming at first. Like a typical divey bar. My friends and I stumbled across it and had such a fun time! They do participation group shots, which means props and music are provided when you order shots! The bartenders are hilarious in their presentations, and if we could avoid getting completely wasted, we would have tried so many different shot types! We went with the Ninja Turtles shots, which was so fun, and a lot of people in the bar chose the Harry Potter and Spongebob ones!
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Chithra V.

Yelp
I recently visited Barcelona Bar in the city, often referred to as the "Harry Potter bar." Intrigued by its nickname, I decided to check it out and see what all the fuss was about. The highlight of the visit was undoubtedly the "Harry Potter drink." Despite being nothing more than a lime juice, the bartender made the experience memorable. Wearing a Gryffindor scarf and wielding two wands, he performed a brief magic show before serving the drink. It was fun and added a bit of wizardry to the night. Aside from the Harry Potter-themed drink, the bar itself was lively and enjoyable. The atmosphere was vibrant, and the staff were friendly and engaging. While the connection to Harry Potter might be minimal, the overall experience was still delightful.
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Kendra E.

Yelp
We had a great time here celebrating my friends birthday, post dinner somewhere else. Unpretentious spot, affordable drinks, good crowd. Music was also fairly good. Everyone had fun
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John P.

Yelp
I walked into this bar not having a clue of its background, thus I had no idea of the theme. It is definitely a dive and a bit run down, but that is part of Barcelona Bar's charm. I only stayed for a few drinks as the constant performances and music change to match the themed drinks got annoying. That being said, it still has an interesting aura about it.
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Gerry B.

Yelp
Super interactive fun vibe from the bartenders. So many cool themes! The X Men shots are subtle but powerful. Gotta try all the drinks!
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Leydiana S.

Yelp
Fun place to get together with friends. Lots of unique drinks that come together with a show. Perfect for birthdays or any special occasion. The bar does get crowded so be prepared to wait a while for a drink.
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Payal P.

Yelp
A must go! It's a fun dive bar type of vibe but definitely good music and a lot of fun. The best part is the themed shots! I can't say much more but definitely check it out when you go!!! They have so many unique drinks all reasonably priced. Will be back!
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Marzio O.

Yelp
Best GD bar in Manhattan. Great vibe great prices great fun! Their shot menu is unique and unlike anything you've ever seen!
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Rich M.

Yelp
This is a really fun spot to stop and have a drink or three with your friends. It's even more fun to get one of their many themed shots. Sorry, I can't tell you more about that - you just have to go and find out for yourself. Also, ask Amber how you can name a shot and do their 100 shot challenge. And thank you to Amber for taking care of us. We had a blast.
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A S.

Yelp
As stated, an official dive bar. But a real chill atmosphere. Loved the friendly bartender and the music. They even have an open mic for comedians on Wednesdays.
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Eric M.

Yelp
This bar, I cannot recommend enough!! The themed character shots w. performance alone are enough to keep you happy!! The bartender Ryan took good care of us and other patrons!! Affordable drinks - ordered Mexican candy shots, paloma & birthday shots (pictured) !! All the reason to stop by
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Alexandra K.

Yelp
I love a good dive bar and this was everything. It was a true dive but had the trendy twist everyone's looking for. With a shot menu of dozens including themed shots with music and props, it was such a great time. Also the prices are an absolute steal for the area and what you're getting- $60 for 6 high end themed shots, plus tons for deals.
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Elisa H.

Yelp
Essence of a dive bar yet has a homey welcoming well worn feel. Perhaps it's the juke tunes, the weathered leather bar panels or just the bartenders fun antics. Theme shots r their jam and it's so popular that u can get a shot named after you if you have enough buddies or come by often enough. Highly recommend the gummy bear.
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Christy L.

Yelp
One of my favorite bars to have fun shots and a good time. Last I went was before 2020, and I'm so happy to see that this bar is thriving still. The same energy and the same fun all around. My friends and I got rounds of flavored shots and prop shots. Big shout out to the two bartenders that night who were nonstop attending to each customer's request with enthusiasm and promptness. We even got a free round of shots with our bartender as we were leaving! These guys are the best, hands down.
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Nikolay K.

Yelp
I been going to Barcelona Bar for many times and I felt in love. Stuff is awesome & friendly, they'll provide great service. Special shots serving is fabulous, so funny! Highly recommended in all aspects!
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Lauren S.

Yelp
This was one of the funnest bars I have been to in a while. We were in the area and wanted to grab a couple drinks while we waited for rush hour traffic to clear up. I used Yelp to guide me towards a cheap bar with a cool atmosphere and this was the place! We almost did not find it because it is not that noticeable from the outside. After walking in, we found 2 seats at the bar, right at the front. There were a couple of high top tables as well. We were immediately greeted by one of the two bartenders and given menus. I was in shock because it is rare you receive menus at a bar! There are menus for shots and for beers. Since we just spent close to $80 on 4 drinks elsewhere, we were not looking to spend a fortune. Luckily happy hour was still going on so we ordered two beers. All of a sudden, the music stops and the bartender gets these props out and music from Star Wars starts playing. He did this whole act due to a patron ordering a certain shot. We did not realize until the 2nd or 3rd time what it was about. There is a menu page shots that when you order, you get a little show! Soooo cool!! We were really enjoying the vibe so we ordered another round of beers. The people seemed chill and the bartenders were cool. It felt like it was in between a touristy place and a regulars spot. We will definitely visit again when I am back home!

Tony W.

Yelp
The Gunnar Show is the best shot I've ever had. Love this place. Always visit each time I'm in nyc.
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Laura J.

Yelp
Really fun bar with a ton of shots on their menu. The prop shots are the best but be prepared to wait. My friends and I went early on a Saturday evening and the bar was already packed and the poor girl behind the bar was all by herself. Lots of fun for a group.
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Emily V.

Yelp
Cute spot tucked in west Midtown. Pretty reasonable prices and a fun cocktail menu. It wasn't super busy when we were there, but it was a bit early on Tuesday night. We were served quickly and the bartender was very nice.
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Julie T.

Yelp
O M G. Shot list for DAYS. Brian is the KING of craft. Absolutely love this place and will be back. Amazing HH and can't even explain the themed shot list?! This place is the BEST!!! Squid Game shots and Brian wears the mask. I can't even. Love it.
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Mariah B.

Yelp
Shots have increased to $6 now instead of $5. Bummer!! They were still just as good as the last time I visited but service needs major improvement. They only care about the groups spending a lot of money. If you like sweets, I recommend gummy bear, jolly rancher, sweet tart and pens.
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Vito G.

Yelp
Went Saturday night (March 11th) with my 4 friends for a Bachelor party of one of them. Bartender had amazing energy. If he's not the owner then he is a crazy valuable employee. We got the Lord of the Rings 9 shots, he provided swords and a crown and the soundtrack. Also did an amazing sorting Hat impression when we ordered the Harry Potter shots. Above and Beyond was this gentleman. I have never been to a bar like this.
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Vaughn F.

Yelp
Fabulous hidden gem dive bar with great prices and an emphasis on creative specialty shots. The shots start at $6 and are generally not going to break the bank. They do themed shots that may involve costumes, props, and music; these are really fun and you should definitely go for it, regardless of what your party pooper friend has to say. I came during happy hour (4-6 PM, scan the QR code on the bar for menus and details) and started with a $4 Miller Lite draft, arguably a great deal for Midtown. My girlfriend went for a $6 well drink (whiskey ginger) and was pleased both with the choice of whiskey and the flavor of the cocktail. After our first round, we were ready to roll the dice on a specialty shot. I'm a big fan of pickle back shots, so I ordered us two of the Pickle Rick. I won't spoil the performance, but it was fun and in good taste. The shots went down smooth and the pickle back itself was nice and briny. Overall a big success. I'll definitely be back for more happy hour shenanigans, and of course to take friends for a memorable experience. Highly recommend both to locals like myself seeking an affordable watering hole and to discerning visitors interested in augmenting their Broadway experience.
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Jess B.

Yelp
overall good experience & definitely plan on coming back. great pregame spot because the themed shots with music and props leaves everyone smiling. pretty affordable for nyc, bartender checked in on us often which was nice. they def put effort into their themed stuff it's pretty funny. only downsides are that there is very limited seating and since so many of the shots have soundtracks that play with them, the music is super choppy and inconsistent. the music off and on doesn't ruin the experience, but def come expecting to know when every person orders a shot.
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Connie C.

Yelp
Alright, read this with caution. I went to the bar tipsy and came out drunk. So be warned! I had a lot of fun at this bar, did not expect some inexpensive dive bar to be sitting around Midtown. We saw some pictures of this Harry Potter shot that had sparklers and were sold immediately. That was the first thing we ordered. Continue reading for spoilers... Don't ask me what was in the drink, I only remembered it was sweet and easy to drink, came with Hogwarts uniforms and wands, but didn't get any sparklers. Perhaps it's a big fire hazard with drunkies around. Well, why not continue the fun? They have a huge booklet of all the drinks available, listing out the base alcohol and whether it is a theatrical shot or not. Or you can just look up on the walls, they had them listed out. And so we tried out Hamilton shot (not gonna waste my shot! get it?) and a Pokemon shot. More easy to drink shots and lots of moments to scream and shout the lyrics like some karaoke bar. If you're not in the mood for some bougee rooftop bar and you're a huge musical fan, honestly what's stopping you from coming?
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Laura C.

Yelp
What a quirky place! They have a number of many nerdy themed shots, so when you order them, the bartender puts on a little show an, badabing, you got yourself a drink! And it won't break your piggy bank either, which was especially nice after you've been drinking for hours at a rooftop (whoooops). The bartenders are a blast, lots of energy despite having to put on the little. I can't remember what our first shot was, I want to say the Winter is Coming, But whatever it was, it was delicious. I definitely remember the second shot being the Harry Potter shot, which was very good. I highly recommend that. You get to wear a​ scarf too. The bartender first game me a Gryffindor and I was like, aw shucks, I'm Slytherin, and he was all, I got you. And he did. This happy Slytherin felt recognized. Thanks, dude. While this is a pretty small establishment, it's pretty good to bring a group of friends because​ they do have minimum shot orders (especially for the LoTR shots and such). So maybe I'll be celebrating an event there in the near future.
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Brian F.

Yelp
This is such a fun bar!! They have a huge shot list ranging from fruitier and weaker shots to stronger shots for only $5. They also have musical and prop shots for $8 which require a 2 shot minimum because it involves a whole performance with props and music. There's a musical shot for everything! I wanted to see the performances so I ordered the Winter is Coming and Harry Potter shots. The Winter is Coming shots had fireball and the Harry Potter shots tasted like butter beer and were sweet. They were both really easy shots but the best part was the performances. Big shoutout to the bartender Jason who performed both of them which involved a crown, a sword, a wand, a sorting hand, and a slytherin scarf. I took a video of the bartender Jason performing the Harry Potter shots and he just went for it. If you drink 100 shots in a year you get to create your own shot and name it and they sell it which is so cool! If I lived in New York this is definitely something I'd do.
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Carol M.

Yelp
SO MUCH FUN!!! The service here and shots selection is excellent. As a jaded NY'er (lol) I've been to lots of bars that say they're fun but really it's just a divey place for cheap drinks and thrills. BARCELONA BAR IS GENUINELY FUN! We had Star Wars themed shots and the bartender puts on a show for you. It's easy to get drunk here but the experience is worth it. Not only that, but we ended up staying for trivia night (which was also tons of fun). Bring some friends and have a few shots.
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John K.

Yelp
Love this place. Do yourself a favor and come to this dive bar for a themed shot. Make sure to pick one with music and props! It's a fun time with a small group as they place is very small. Good for a post show night cap!

Sarah L.

Yelp
One of my favorite go-to's for spontaneous celebrations. This time, for my birthday. Cozy, friendly, and fun and the jukebox is a nice touch too. So many hilarious and strong shot options to try, and awesome bartenders. Got the T-shirts and the list too. Highly recommend and will be back soon!
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M T.

Yelp
What a fun spot!! Had a butter beer shot.(Harry Potter) The story with the shot was hilarious. Bartender engages all the customers..
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Niv P.

Yelp
I would give this place 3.5 stars if I could. Pro - Fun and inexpensive dive bar with a lot of quirky shots for $5 each. Their music shots are a lot of fun to (looks like most people usually go for the Harry Potter shots) which is accompanied by the theme music(duh), costume props and a hilarious act by the really fun bartender. If you're into shots be sure to check this place out as they have a really huge selection you can order from. Con- My only turn down was the ambience in general. The table and the menu were worn out and sticky. So overall - 4 stars for the service and bartender 5 star for the fun shots and drinks 2 stars for the ambience
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Patti G.

Yelp
We had fun here for an hour or so before our concert. The bartenders were lively and clever. Very engaging with each group of patrons. We wished we knew about "Prop Shots" before we ordered. Enjoyable!
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Tina J.

Yelp
Really cool bar in NYC. Apparently the original is in Barcelona, Spain with the same drink specials and everything. They have really cool shots with props, interesting titles, and such a chill vibe. Only con: small, not enough space to sit, narrow walkway so you bump into people a lot. Tip: Ask for the Harry Potter shot!
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Winnie M.

Yelp
My friends and I headed here after leaving a bougie rooftop bar and hands-down had the best time ever (and for a decently priced amount too!!! compared to the rooftop bar we just came from). They have a variety of prop and music shots (all $6-8) that you just have to experience yourself to understand. If you are into a fun and unique experience and also down for the dive bar scene - this is a must visit!!!!
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Dhilip R.

Yelp
Visiting here for the fourth time! Never fails to amuse me. Barcelona bar on 8th ave give you one-off experience that you cannot see it elsewhere or any other bar could dare venture into something like this. Salute to the bar tenders. Concept of the bar - 8$ musical props shots named after famous movies. Known for its sparkling harry potter shots were the entire bar rings the movie theme songs and a sorting hat lets you get sorted into Ravenclaw. You also get props like the Elder wand, Ravenclaw strolls, etc. Other famous one - Star wars, Lord of the Rings, Spongebob Squarepants, etc. My personal favorite is the Star Wars and Harry POtter. You get to wear Darth Vader mask and duel using light sabers before you get your shots!
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Mass. E.

Yelp
Two shots is $28 ... bartender was very rude. Took him a long time to attend us . Asian looking dude The mexican guy was cool af. Beer and shot is $10 But some how two shots of tequila was $28...
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Rashid M.

Yelp
Dope themed drinks. I had a blast here. They have fair prices. Food music and it is a great spot to go near time square.
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Janell D.

Yelp
This bar was a random find that quickly became one of the highlights of our trip to NYC! The themed shot menu is fantastic, we had so much fun here we had to go back the last night of our trip to try more shots!

Zack R.

Yelp
Super racist bouncer. Told us to get out because we're from South Africa even though we should valid identification. Would not recommend.
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Jenn S.

Yelp
My go to bar with any tourist friends visiting nyc! They offer some inventive and fun shots that come with a lot of fanfare, props and even magic ;) Crowd here is a mix bag but always seem to be a cohesive group just looking to have a great time.
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Josephine L.

Yelp
Shots! Shots! Shots Shots! Shots Shots Shots! You must have birthday shots here because there is nothing like downing a Return of the King or Harry Potter-themed glass of liquor as you inch one year closer to death. Dress up for extra funsies and watch the room get progressively happier.
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Janay P.

Yelp
This is more like a small dive bar but it was an amazing experience! The locals could tell we hadn't been there before and suggested Music or a Themed Shot. We got the Winter Is Coming and the Harry Potter Shot. All I can say is 100% get one with your group of friends, I will never forget it!
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Sanjna S.

Yelp
I miss the fire theatrics w/ their harry potter and other shots!!! The place itself is small, and narrow. Old dingy bar but charming in it's own way. It can quite stuffed and crowded quickly. But I would still recommend this bar to anyone visiting NYC it is a great bar w/ a novel concept; Animated shots!! A selection of their shots ($8) are themed and come w/ a cheesy yet fun theatrical display by the bartender(s). So basically they have Harry Potter wands, Darth Vader mask, some other props along w/ the coordinate music and a funny monologue by the bartender you get a whole new way to experience drinking! lol Undeniably gimicky but lots of fun! Everyone whom I've taken for a just a shot or two has loved it! I think something went down w/ the fire marshall so they no longer do the small display of fire theatrics :( If i find a video from my old files I'll upload it here.
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Gabrielle W.

Yelp
I love this bar so much and always make it a point to stop by when I am in NYC. There's something about it's small space and diveness, yet lit atmosphere that makes it so much fun! The first time I came here was about 2 years ago with a friend of mine on a Friday night as our pregame spot. We actually ended up staying for about 2 hours and watching the hilarious shot performances by the staff / guests that ordered those shots. It is a very small space and unfortunately we did have to stand for about 1 hour, while letting people pass over and over, but we still had a great time. The performances that they put on depending on the shot you order...really is worth the experience. My most recent visit was with my cousin and a friend on a Sunday night, and was pretty dead as you would expect a Sunday to be, but nonetheless we had a great time with the bartender. We were 3/8 people there at a given time, but it was nice getting to know the bartender who is actually a member of the band ON THE SUN. We got there around 9:30PM... around 11PM it really picked up...about 10-15 people came in more for drinks, then left and we stayed til about 12AM. Their drinks are not super high and totally reasonable for what you are getting. I spent about $25 here during that 2.5 hour visit. I definitely think this is a great spot for a pregame on a busy night, or a chill spot for a low-key night. I definitely recommend this place if you are in New York!! :) I can't wait to come back! Also they're open late til like 3/4AM.
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Justin P.

Yelp
Came here because of that Facebook/Business Insider video about Harry Potter shots. Although it was pretty crowded and a little smaller than I thought, shot prices were ok. I think you're paying for the entertainment and meaning behind the shots. It was great, but just a TAD pricey depending what you get. Overall pretty fun and lively place. I would go back with more friends. And it's only a place for taking shots.
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Kristen T.

Yelp
Fun themed shots and drinks but overpriced for the quality of what you're getting and quick busy service. Example pictured - power rangers shots. Must buy 5, $40
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Rachel Z.

Yelp
If you want to go somewhere fun with friends, nothing too fancy, this is the place to go. Definitely try their themed shots: The Jedi's Indiana Jones Harry potters Pokémon ... You name it!! Definitely give it a try, it will be more fun if you come with a group.
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Agta B.

Yelp
Barcelona Bar was lots of fun. It is a small dive bar with limited seating. There are a few rickety tables and a medium sized bar counter. There is a 4 page menu of shots. Shots are creative and interactive - choose wisely as some shots come with music and accessories. The tap beer is limited (Bud Light and Guinness when we visited) but there are bottles/cans to choose from. There is a jukebox and dartboard and plenty of booze. Bartender was great . We spent a couple of hours hanging out and it was great.