BarChef New York

Absolutely recommend this place, my husband and I love to try out new places and BarChef has become an absolute favorite. We came him on Monday and came back the following day, that’s how much we liked it. It’s a long review but totally worth the read. From the contemporary menu I got the toasted coconut punch which was absolutely delicious and my favorite from that part of the menu. My husband got the charred strawberry and it was also delicious as well as the cafe de olla. Then the modernist where do I begin? We ordered the jardín de Monet and the sailors mojito and we got hooked! It’s truly a work of art from the edible components, to the scents and the actual presentation, and to top it all of the drinks were so well crafted. We were hooked so on Tuesday we came back and ordered the golden honey penicillin and it has become my new favorite drink and that burnt honey sorbet was probably one of the best sorbets I’ve ever had, I wish I could have bought a quart of it to go. Then my husband got the black truffle, the chocolate with the truffle was such an excellent pairing, and the drink was so smooth and the coconut flavor really shined through. Lastly the illuminated eucalyptus, the presentation was so pretty and the white chocolate bite was so refreshing and unique, the drink it self wasn’t what I would usually go for but it was still amazing, my husband really loved it. It’s safe to say you cannot go wrong with anything here. We also ordered some food to munch on while we drank and it was all so fresh and the quality was also great. On top of it all the staff was what made it even more memorable. They were all so passionate about their work and they were very happy to explain everything to us. This place is definitely worth it and I can see it being the IT place for a date night or even just for a fun night out.

An absolutely incredible experience, easily one of the best cocktail bars in NYC 🥹 You can really feel the Frankie Solarik artistry in every drink. While the prices are higher, it is 100% worth it for the quality and creativity. I tried the Palo Santo and it's officially one of my all-time favorite cocktails. The other signature experiential sets (my friends tried them) are also something truly unique. Btw, don't sleep on the food! We got 4 grilled lobster tails for only $36... omg, what an amazing deal.

I had the opportunity to recently visit this bar, and was treated with the excellent service of Josue and Alexander. It is honestly refreshing to be served by someone that is so dedicated to their craft. They know their trade and elevated all their drink creations to a whole new level. They understand their customers and are able to recommend drinks based on what their customers needs. Not just that they explained why all the components of the drink is needed. You can tell they are pure artist on their craft. I would recommend this place to any of my friends and colleagues.

I had an amazing birthday weekend at Bar Chef, and a huge part of that was thanks to the incredible bartender, Saaj Visaria. From the moment we sat down, Saaj brought great energy, professionalism, and true craftsmanship to every drink. The cocktails were not only creative and perfectly balanced, but also thoughtfully tailored to our tastes—each one better than the last. Saaj went above and beyond to make the experience feel special, remembering preferences, explaining the drinks, and creating a fun, welcoming atmosphere that elevated the entire night. It truly felt like more than just drinks—it was an experience. If you’re going to Bar Chef, do yourself a favor and sit at the bar. Saaj is a standout and made my birthday weekend unforgettable.

Everything was flawless, no notes at all. Alexander was outstanding! I initially planned to stop at two cocktails, but quickly changed my mind because each one was so creative, engaging, and beautifully crafted. I’m genuinely loving fancy cocktail night and may just turn it into a tradition. 🥳

Amazing cocktail experience! Superb! Sitting at the bar, you can watch the bartending artistry of Alex and Sami! They make bartending into a beautiful performance and the drinks are as perfect as their artistry. You get not only a drink, but a view of the Empire State Building from your seat! My cocktail came plated with a rock garden and succulent.

Stunning Views Can’t Save a Disappointing Experience I wanted to love Barchef. The promise of imaginative, boundary-pushing cocktails in a spectacular setting should have been a winning combination. Unfortunately, what unfolded was a nearly two-hour ordeal marked by poor service, long waits, and drinks that didn’t live up to their price tag or the hype. The Good: The ambiance is genuinely stunning. The rooftop setting offers breathtaking views of the Empire State Building that are worth seeing—just perhaps not from the bar. The Bad: From the moment we arrived, the experience was rocky. The host was helping guests with the elevator and away from his post, leaving us waiting at the entrance. Once seated at the bar, it took our bartender approximately 20 minutes just to take our order while he juggled making drinks for others. After finally placing our order, he made an off-putting comment that bordered on insulting about us not ordering in the language printed on the menu—perhaps intended as a joke, but it landed poorly. Then came the wait. Over 30 minutes passed with no drinks and no explanation. When I asked about the delay, the bartender said he’d check, then disappeared for another 15 minutes. We were on the verge of leaving when a different bartender finally delivered one drink—45 minutes after ordering. The second cocktail arrived 20 minutes after that. The Drinks: While both cocktails were undeniably imaginative and Instagram-worthy with multiple elaborate elements, they were merely “good”—not great, and certainly not worth $45 each or the combined hour-plus wait. For that price point and wait time, I expected transcendent cocktails that would justify the investment. These didn’t come close. The Worst Part: Throughout the nearly two hours we spent there, our original bartender never once checked on us, asked how the drinks were, or acknowledged our presence beyond that initial order. We literally timed it out of disbelief. Not a single glance our way. Final Verdict: Barchef has the setting and the creativity, but falls short on execution, timing, and basic hospitality. In a city with countless exceptional cocktail bars that deliver both innovation and excellent service, this one isn’t worth your time or money. Rating: 2/5 (the view saves it from a 1)

We had the Essence of fall the Crudités the Rose gold margarita the Coa, the Sailors Mojito and theCoconut Absinte Sour. The colours and pairing from scent to taste were phenomenal. I even got a bespoke cocktails an enrichment of chocolate old fashioned meets nirvana in a decadent swirl of creation CuraTed by Saaj and Vibe

I just had the best night at BarChef! The bar itself is very welcoming and the view of the Empire State building was incredible. I had some of the best cocktails of my life! Sami made me some marvelous cocktails that I can say without a doubt were some of the best cocktails I've ever had. Alex was also accommodating and was extremely friendly. It truly was a memorable night and I can't wait to come back.

This place is one of the coolest cocktail experiences in the city. The atmosphere is modern, moody, and instantly pulls you in. It has that elevated, mixology-focused vibe where you can feel the creativity in the room the second you walk through the door. The cocktails are truly works of art. Every drink is crafted with incredible attention to detail, from the flavors to the presentation to the aromas. Watching the bartenders put everything together feels like part of the experience. This is not the kind of place where you simply order a drink. You taste it, smell it, and appreciate it. Yes, the drinks are definitely on the higher end price-wise, but they are absolutely worth trying at least once. You're paying for an unforgettable experience, not just a cocktail. If you love mixology or want a unique night out, BarChef delivers something memorable and special. Highly recommend visiting if you're looking for a standout cocktail experience in Manhattan.

BarChef finally won me over after months of Instagram hype, and wow, the hype is real, at least visually. Sleek, elegant room with Empire State Building views and the most photogenic cocktails in the city. Every drink has its own cute story and arrives like theater, complete with garnishes from the "kitchen" window. Took a million pics, zero regrets. Ordered two of the seasonal tasting cocktails, super pretty, but the flavors were a bit too experimental for me. Then I decided to order other drinks at the bar directly. Explaining and showing the bartender about my favorite drinks around the city, describing what I usually love. That's when he smiled and said he used to work at Thyme Bar (my absolute favorite spot!). Turns out it was Alex! No wonder the custom mocktail he made me was perfection: fresh herbs, delicate floral notes, and that dreamy creamy-sweet holiday finish. Easily one of the best mocktails (or cocktails, honestly) I've ever had. His creativity is unreal. The bar is the heart of this place.

A friend of mine and I got together for drinks. When I arrived I found parking right in front. I walked in and the place is attached to another restaurant in the upper floor. I walked into a dimly lit gorgeous bar. We were sat and Jenna was our server. We had: The Coa Toasted Old Fashioned Amuse-bouche Aviation Alginate Charred Strawberry Red Wine Café De Olla Oven Roasted Chilean Seabass I enjoyed their dishes especially the seabass! I also really enjoyed their wine! All in all a good time!

From a vibe perspective, BarChef really delivered. It was located on the third floor above a Korean steakhouse, but was almost hidden to those not "in the know". The hostess met us downstairs and escorted us up using the escalator. The dark, seductive space had a full-sized bar, a small "chef's counter" for front-row views of the action, and several lounge areas with couches, which was where we were seated. Our server was very professional and took us through their interesting menu. There was a section for their take on classic cocktails, as well as modern originals that were crafted in-house. I decided to get their version of an espresso martini, which was called the Cafe De Olla, and contained Illegal Mezcal, espresso, Grand Marnier, cedar bitters, coffee liqueur, shiitake cordial, and vanilla. As noted on the menu, it had an aroma of the "forest floor". In fact, those cedar bitters were too potent for my liking, because the drink tasted more woodsy than anything else. It also contained a large amount of smoky mezcal. It was not the sweeter, caffeine-forward cocktail I had been looking forward to. I wound up staying with only that one round, but I sampled each of my partner's two beverages. First was the "contemporary" cocktail called the Bittersweet, which was composed of Great Jones Bourbon, Freimeister hazelnut gin, Laird's apple brandy, Campari, sweet vermouth, Disaronno, and cacao bitters. It was a chocolatey, nutty, smokey blend that was enjoyable, but certainly booze-forward. His second drink was the seasonal, "modernist", Essence of Fall. That one was served on a round platter of moss with a glass globe in the center, which contained a sphere of ice made from maple and Fernet-Branca, Cognac, sweet vermouth, rosemary, balsam fir bitters, orange blossom, vanilla, mint, and cedar. The waitress poured a hot broth over the soil and moss surrounding the frozen beverage, which released an earthy aroma and kicked off the melting process. Once the cocktail was drinkable, I found it way too herbaceous. Overall, I adored the atmosphere and creativity of BarChef, but I had hoped to enjoy the drinks much more, especially when I was paying in the range of $25-$40 for each of them.

I liked this place enough that I am going back for a second visit less than one week later, if that gives you any indication! The first time I went to Bar Chef was in Toronto a few years ago and it made a very good impression on me and my friends. I thought that it was very interesting that the location in Toronto is super dark and that the location in New York is super bright and full of natural light. I will note this is on a higher floor, so we had to climb stairs (not sure if there is an elevator available for people who may not be able to climb stairs). I also appreciated that they'll open the overhead pane when the weather is good. The cocktails did not disappoint. My friends and I did two rounds of drinks, starting off with the more artistic cocktails from the modernist series and then doing more contemporary cocktails. I also love that they have a food menu. I snacked on truffle fries, which were delicious. The servers were also very friendly and helpful with explaining the menu. I loved both of my drinks: the sailors mojito and the dark necessities. The presentation is unbeatable when it comes to the modernist cocktails. I also appreciate the eucalyptus smell in the bathrooms and love that they use Aesop soap.

I had been looking forward to BarChef opening here in NYC for a while. A long time follower of the Toronto location, this experience did not disappoint. Came for an anniversary celebration and was treated to a few additional treats along the way as an added surprise. The place is really stunning and has a retractable roof for when the weather is nice. If you come early its a very quiet and intimate experience with lots of room. The wait staff is incredible and as this location is still new, Frankie Solarik was on site and enduring this location matches the Toronto standards and some. We enjoyed two cocktails each and every one of them was fabulous. You truly have to go and experience this culinary delight yourself. We spent a luxurious 2 hours and also ordered a few of the food options. The sashimi platter was delicious and the oxtail pot stickers were a really unique twist. 10/10 on all fronts and I look forward to coming back to experiencing this once again. Thank you!!

This place is intentional as one of the bar chefs also described it. Service was great as I sat at the chefs counter and watched them prepare drinks for other guests and enjoyed conversation about the background and some of their fave drinks and elements to prepare. (I didn't catch names, but they were all great!) The bottles along the walls are infused and made in house that are actually used in the cocktails. I enjoyed 2 drinks, truffle fries (perfect portion) and a surprise treat at the end. On my way out, the bathroom hand soap smelled so good and left my hands extra soft. The elevator was lit in red and smelled like lemongrass or something similar. It was a great touch. I will definitely come back with a friend or two, would make for the perfect post dinner/night cap vibe. They have a location in Toronto, but welcome finally to NYC Bar Chef.

Bar Chef is where New York energy meets liquid art. Every cocktail is a sensory performance. The entire experience was bold, elegant, and unapologetically magnetic. The confidence and swagger of this place is un matched. This is the kind of place that doesn't just serve drinks, it serves a moment.

Lovely spot! Thanks to Javelle for his wonderful service and suggestions. The team was very pleasant and I enjoyed my experience. I had three cocktails, two cocktails from the contemporary menu and one speciality made drink from the bar all good! The food menu is limited but what I had was tasty no complaints. I ate salmon sashimi, oxtail dumplings and truffle fries. I would come back!

This immersive craft cocktail experience is truly one of a kind. The elaborate presentation of the Rosegold Margarita captures the essence of Oaxaca. Its delectable edible components bring out the flavors of the cocktail after each bite. The Illuminated Eucalyptus brings a Japanese pebble garden to life with Nigori sake, tequila, eucalyptus ice, coconut, absinthe, basil, white chocolate, and green cardamom. The myriad of flavors somehow come together seamlessly in spectacular fashion. It is impressive how well the bar waitstaff know the cocktails. Memorizing all those ingredients is no easy feat. The ambiance is intimate and luxurious with a naturalistic theme.

Love everything about this place. Service, drinks and presentation of the drinks. Would highly recommend this place just for the experience. I will definitely come back.

Look. If you know me well you know I'm an absolute slut for gimmicky, avant-garde style culinary modernism. What Barchef is doing is absolutely extraordinary and inverts my picture driven empty minded materialism cleanly on its head. While yes, drinks come out with liquid nitrogen and a variety of complements that may seem like unnecessary stimuli, BUT - it all works perfectly. The flavors are complex, the bar food is precisely engineered to complement the drinks, and most importantly, the beverages are some of the best I've had in New York. Which is saying a lot, because this whole city is fueled by $20+ (bordering on the unfathomable $30 mark recently) cocktails. You'll be treated like royalty if you get counter spots. Far more exciting than half of what's on and off Broadway right now, you'll have a front row seat to the action and can truly appreciate the ingenuity behind each cocktail.

Bar Chef--what can I say? I'd heard the buzz that their cocktails look like they belong in the MoMA, and after going, I couldn't agree more. But here's the real kicker: they don't just *look* like art, they taste like they deserve a James Beard Award. Each drink is a masterclass in balance--savory, sweet, spicy--layered with textures and presented with absolute flair. Every sip feels both innovative and deeply satisfying. Add in the rooftop greenhouse vibes, full glass ceiling, and that Empire State Building view--Bar Chef has officially claimed the top spot as my number one cocktail destination in New York City.

Went to Bar Chef for my husband's birthday. We sat at the chef's counter and got excellent service from Frank. Cocktails were great nice twists on classic cocktails and as we were sitting at the chef's counter we got to see Frank and the rest of the team at work mixing the cocktails. Highly recommend!

Drinks are amazing. Bartender and hostess very friendly. Only complaint is that when you want to order another pina colada you cannot order just the drink. You have to order the entire set, which is too much. If they added the option of additional drinks after the first purchase with the display I would have gotten so many more of those. You can tell their ingredients are made with quality and care. So yummy.

Best new cocktail bar to ope this summer! Loved the drinks here, food was great as well.