Caledonia Bar

This place is a great upscale neighborhood bar! 🍻 Caledonia Bar on the UES serves am endless selection of whiskey 🥃, beer 🍺, and cocktails 🍸 - definitely get the High Priestess Cocktail!🍹 Staff 👨‍🍳 is super friendly and the service is quick! ⏲️ The place is nicely decorated 🛋️, and the ambience 🎶 is great! I wish I came here earlier!

Awesome vibe. The cocktails were dialed in and the beers on draft offered a solid selection. Itzel took great care of us — we’ll be back!

The wait to finally eat here ended with complete satisfaction. The tastes are exceptional and the staff's service is superior. No doubt about it, the staff is excellent, notably kind, knowledgeable and instantly make you feel included. This restaurant doesn't disappoint on amount or taste. No wishes remain at this spot.

No food but they let you order/bring your own food. Dark cozy wood setting with extensive whiskey menu. Hot Toddy & Dave Elly milk punch were 10/10

What a great bar! Met a friend after work for a drink. It was the perfect atmosphere, quiet and low key. The bar has a really great selection of whiskeys/whiskys. The bartender was super knowledgeable and really knew her stuff (which was great for a novice like me). For those in the neighborhood, it's such a fantastic place to grab a drink and learn more about whiskey/whisky.

I am not a whiskey drinker myself, but I came to Caledonia to arrange a curated tasting for my parents as a gift. I was put in contact with the owner, Alan, who in spite of welcoming a child into this world (congrats to the happy couple) was very accommodating and helped put everything together. I got to name my price range and we settled on a date and time. My folks got to sample 5 whiskies new to them, with a complimentary cocktail to start and a second pour of their favorite to cap off the evening. The guide, Kevin, was extremely friendly and patient. As I bore witness, being the designated driver, my parents got to have their fill of increasingly tipsy conversating and drinking both. Kevin prepared something of a small presentation about each whiskey, giving some interesting background facts as well as his own professional opinions. I also spoke to Rachael via text beforehand, to whom I sent an encyclopedia-length list of all the whiskies I knew my parents have tried, liked, and keep at home, to better offer them a selection they wouldn't have had before. With success! Everything was new to them, and not only that, but they both found a whiskey they liked enough to want to introduce into their daily selection to sip at home. They also both raved about the place afterward and expressed an eagerness to find a reason to come back. And this last bit is a personal thing, but my parents (especially my mom) both have pretty thick accents, and when I'm out with them I often notice people will be impatient or outright rude to them because of it. I'm pretty sensitive to it, as I hate to think that they are being given disrespect or worse service for the crime of speaking two languages. And naturally, being a bit drunk doesn't improve the communication situation. However, Kevin remained positive, attentive, and kind throughout the entire tasting. Not a single "I don't understand your english" or looking to me to "translate". It might not be a big deal to some, but I appreciate that they were treated with courtesy from beginning to end. Overall, a 10/5 experience, and I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in whiskey, expert or novice. They'll have something for experienced drinkers and newbies alike, and the kind of quality service that warrants a thousand-word review.

Fantastic. I was the only single person on Valentine’s Day. The bartenders were sweet, knowledgeable, and the cocktails are amazing. This is my new spot.

I was looking for a good place with knowledge in whiskey and cocktails and this is an oasis in the UES. Bar tenders are knowledgeable about the whisky, the cocktails are refreshing and good quality. Price is hight but it worthy. Good atmosphere to relax. The bar is just tight with the seat but overall best place to enjoy whiskey and cocktail. I will be back. Ps: music is cool

Must try: Flights and Cocktails! Why: Love coming here for a pre-dinner drink and night cap! The last couple times I've been curious about trying different whiskeys and this time tried the Zen & The Art of Distillation - nice selection to sip while enjoying a live band! I ended with a Currant Events whiskey cocktail, which was delightful. Like a Whiskey Sour but better and more refreshing. Notes: Bartenders are always friendly and helpful. Ambiance is chill and dim. Skinny bar with a long bar seating and a table in back for a group. Always a good time coming here!

This is one of the few bars in the UES that I really enjoy. It feels upscale due to its decor and drink menu, but everyone there is really chill. It's definitely not a 'scene' and it's very rarely super crowded, so it's totally possible to have a conversation here. The drinks are delicious, inventive and have amazing flavors. The bartenders are really knowledgable, friendly, and have good taste in music. I love coming here!

Caledonia is everything I expect from a scotch bar. The space is cozy, dimly lit, and offers perfect seating at the bar. The selection of scotches was great and all were present in a well organized bar. The bartender was knowledgeable and clearly enjoys scotch and whiskey at large. If you come for happy hour, before 7pm, you can order a staff picked scotch that a rotates monthly for 50% off which allowed me to try something I'd never had before at a price more reasonable than the $50 it usually ran. The cocktails were balanced and overall executed well. I tried the Earl of "Your Mom" which utilized a house infused earl grey bourbon. The drink itself was lovely, and while it was a bit too sweet initially the bartender was up front about this before I ordered it and advised that it would mellow out as the ice melted to dilute it a bit. This was spot on advice which I greatly appreciate. The star cocktail for me, however, was the Penicillin which out the gate had the classic balance of scotch, honey, ginger, and lemon. It was certainly one of the best made classics I've had in recent memory. All standard menu cocktails were $16, though there were a few specials that were as low as $10 during happy hour. Caledonia will be part of my rotation whenever I'm back in New York.

The bartenders here are great, honestly. I came in with a birthday party and the bartenders had a cool vibe (I realize this is a generic statement but you just gotta experience their experienced demeanor yourself) and made really good drinks. It was crowded when we came in but the atmosphere was such that we talked until the place closed for the night. They're a whisky bar but they have a great variety of other drinks as well. I highly recommend the Bees Knees and Perfect Storm cocktails. I'm not classy enough to know the difference between my whiskies aside from the burn so I was perfectly happy. I definitely want to come back in the future and try some other drinks, but sadly I seem to only go drinking when invited.

Dim, grungey bar located in the UES. One of the only spot in the area that I'm aware of that stays open until 4am. Great service. Nice to visit if you're in the area and looking for something chill.

I visited this place with my girlfriend as we were walking around Yorkville. We fancied a drink, and I wanted to visit Caledonia because they have great single malts. The ambiance was pleasant, and the barman, Kevin, prepared some refreshing cocktails for her. Kevin also introduced me to Taiwanese whiskey, which is a good drink. I give it a 10/10 because the last time I visited the place, it was such an awful experience. I reckon the experience wasn't worth the time the last time I was there. However, I had such a wonderful experience here this time, thanks to Kevin. As always, the diversity of Scottish Malts makes this bar a unique experience in NYC (there's a second location on the UWS). I'm glad to know that the place has changed for the better.

Taking a risk on an unknown spot worked out perfectly here. This place offers a clean space that feels welcoming. Every worker has both a great personality and attractive features. The whole menu offers quality options. This place should attract repeat customers.

Great bar with fun bartenders and a good place to meet new people or hang out with the regulars. There looks like there was food before the pandemic but they don't serve doors anymore. Could maybe bring food in though.

I'm at the bartender there who had my nameBrenda tattooed on his arm I'd love to know his name and write him a letter and invite him to a party could you tell me his name he is Scottish I believe and he is the main bartender there I believe

Best scotch bar that I've come across in NYC. Great display making it super easy to see what's available. Whiskey are nicely organized making it easy to find something similar if you spot something that you already like. I had pours of a 7 year cask strength from Kilchoman, the Abundah Alba from Aberlour, and a 5 year from Ardbeg. It was a superb tasting. They also have a handful of beers on tap including London Pride, Guinness on nitro, a Scottish ale on nitro, and a few American crafts. Kevin was an awesome bartender. Super friendly and knowledge. One of the best I've come across. He made some excellent recommendations. The clientele was pretty friendly too. Lots of passionate folks about whiskey. I believe there were two gender neutral restrooms.

Cozy, dim Scotch bar with expertise from Kevin that makes this one of the good ones. It's a drinking bar so grab a bite beforehand (or bring it in). Bartender Kevin was a lovely host; will be coming back again soon!

One of the few good cocktail bars in UES - sad but true! Their manhattans are amazing and the mixologist know what they are doing. Tell them what you are felling and they will make a drink for you! Mezcal collection is great!

This place is great! It's sun fun having a whiskey bar with flights and tastings tucked away in the UES. This is a great either date spot or spot with friends. The inside is nice and not super big so it makes it feel a little more intimate. They also have outdoor seating which is a great option for warm nights. Also depending on the vibe you're going for. The outside can be a little secluded away from other people which is always nice to have as an option. I don't know anything about whiskey haha butt it seems like they have a variety of options. I think what was the most fun was getting the tastings of the different whiskeys. There were at least three different flights, and they all had themes of why they were paired together. The cocktails were also delicious, little combo special of a flight a cocktail to share is perfect.

Great spot in the UES for a drink with friends. Ample bar seating, and more in the back. Was able to get our drinks quickly from what looked like just 2 bartenders on a Saturday night but didn't have any issues. Would come back if I happen to pass by / am in the area!

The bar is gorgeous, especially if you like the dim game room vibe. The paloma was perfectly balanced, and the bartender was quite pleasant. Seating is limited so I wouldn't recommend it for very large groups.

Came here with a group of 7 and all had a good time. Decent selection of draft beers. If you come on a Saturday or Friday then expect to stand for a little until you can grab a seat. Bartenders were friendly and attentive. Cocktails made well. Good vibes and crowd. Crowd was a bit older and we didn't have to deal with any drama/bullshit. 4.5 stars rounding up to 5.

Love the dimly lit comfortable atmosphere and fantastic cocktails at this small fabulous bar which is one of my favorite upper east side spots. Atmosphere. The bar area is narrow and smaller, but there is a community table at the front and benches and chairs tucked away at cozy spots in the back, as well as some tables with seating in the back. Great for conversation with friends or a date. Whiskey and drinks. Extensive whiskey selection (over 250 kinds). When I brought whiskey lover friends here, they were not disappointed. They also have fabulous, well made whiskey cocktails. I have been happy with the manhattan, old fashioned, penicillin and my favorite is the sazerac with absinthe - wonderful. They also have non whiskey cocktails, beers and wines. Definitely recommend as a place to meet friends or a date.

Over the next few weeks, I am exploring NYC in search of the best Penicillin and Caledonia is my first stop! I came around a 5 PM on a Saturday and think this is a perfect place for a drink before dinner plans or just to get your night started. It wasn't too crowded and I was able to find a spot at the bar. Within moments, I was given a menu and greeted the way you should be at a scotch bar - short, friendly and subtly. One thing I like about Caledonia is the menu. Right from the start, it sheds the pretentious surrounding scotch that discourages many potential fans and encourages individuals to be adventurous with scotch in the sense that whatever way you want to drink it and whatever flavor you like is all that matters. It's the perfect attitude and I wish California Scotch Lounges would adapt this mentality. I ordered the penicillin which came out fairly quick. It sweet with what tastes like ginger syrup flavor as opposed to real ginger. The ice used appears to be smaller cubes, but it's important to note the ice dissolves slowly that means your drink won't be diluted quickly even on a hot afternoon. It's a solid and quick penicillin that hits the spot!

Best drinks bar in the ues and super friendly staff. Will definitely going back. Thanks

Great whisky bar with a wide variety of single and blended malts. Knowledgeable bar tender. Great atmosphere.

Trevor explained the global shortage of Lagavulin and offered the even peatier, more Artisanal Islay's from Kilchoman Sinaig and Machir Bay. Going back.

Dropped in here today after lunch. Thought I was losing my mind as I could have sworn there was another bar here a few weeks ago. Bartender told me that the old Scottish pub was bought out and is a new Scottish pub. Name changed but place is basically the same. Which is a good thing as this is a nice mellow place to hang out and enjoy a nice pint of Scottish ale and a good whiskey. They do have a good selection of whiskies and scotch, plus some Scottish beers on tap and in bottles, along with some of the standard brews. Had a Bellhaven Scottish Ale. Creamy. Delicious. Hit the spot. Plus, it was happy hour so at only $4.00 it did not hurt the wallet too much. Seems like nice guys working here too. Bartender was friendly and we chatted for a bit. Hope they do well in spite of the 2nd Ave subway construction blocking them from view.

I love this bar. I love the atmosphere, ambiance and style; however, I'm rarely able to get the girls to join me here. It's more of the guys spot... so, on occasion I've been able to get them to join forces here and trying some scotch and catch up with one another. Love the selections, they have a few craft cocktails and one called Penicillin is just what the doctor ordered with whisky and ginger, Lemon and love which is Devine. If Trevor is working, order an Old Fashioned with his special cherries ! Simply Amazing.

This place deserves a negative star. It was awful because of the bartender who told my group multiple times "I'm the only one here". There were 8 people at the bar and it was a Saturday night (what were we thinking) as that's a total giveaway w packed bars and restaurants all around us. We then made the mistake of ordering "food" which tasted like hot pockets from 7/11. Go back? Never.

If you need a sweet spot to grab some whiskey, scotch or bourbon this is it! Delicious cocktails on the menu as well....the Bee's Knees & Penicillin were A+! Brian was our bartender, pop in if he's working for sure and enjoy! He did a wonderful job checking on on everyone as the bar filled in...we will be back.

You know you are at a legit whiskey bar when the bartender knows what he is talking about. Our bartender was knowledgeable and funny, suggested some very good highlander and to our surprise a Japanese whiskey as well. Definitely going back.

Came here after eating at a rather atrocious place and very happy we did. This is a great place to have a proper drink. Came here for drinks with a friend hoping to get a proper drink and we did. After four old fashioned, we were in a good place. You can tell the bartenders know what they're doing when they mix a drink--that's a welcome and positive change from most bars in the city. The selection of whiskey is impressive. The place is dark and a little cramped, but I think that's intentional; we all know and love the butt funnel from Bar Rescue right? The place opens up in the back for a small group, but I wouldn't come here with more than two other people. Bathrooms were clean, music was odd, but still good if you're in your low 30's. Def a place I'd return to if I'm in the area and you should also.

Cute little whiskey pub on the upper east side with an awesome bartender and a great selection. Pricing is a little on the expensive side, but they make a good cocktail and will tell you about their whiskey (is it supposed to be spelled whisky?). I got a "Brew-sky", or a beer and a 1oz shot of some good whiskey (do not mix these). It was nice, because I'm more of a beer guy myself. The IPA was fantastic and the whiskey very smooth. I also had an old fashioned, which was perfect. The bartender even explained to me how to make it well. The only real downside is that it's a small place, so if you're coming with a group of four or five, you may need to all sit by the bar without all talking to one another. If I were them I'd also load up some more cocktails on the menu to justify pricing.

Came here for a quick beer with my group of 5. Got seated right away at the bar. Had a great IPA beer that the bartender recommended. Got a chance to try my friends old fashion and it was delicious also. Great vive, quiet music in the background.

I really like this place. I really do. I've been coming here on the weekends. I thought I'd try it out during the week. I invited a friend who I haven't seen in years. She thought the place was very nice and the drinks were great. However A couple of things were off today. Bartender today was not polite/friendly. He took our order for drinks. My friend and I were thinking about ordering food. The bartender took my friend's menu and he took mine right after. I asked him if I could keep it but he replied (with an attitude) "No, you can't unless you're ordering food". I was thinking about ordering food and looking at the drinks menu for our second drink. The thing that pissed me off is that other men at the bar had a menu in front of them and the bartender didn't say anything.Why didn't he take their menu away too. As soon as another group of men walked in they were greeted by the bartender and we were interrupted to order - it felt like he was rushing us to order or leave. Doesn't take much to be nice to people. I left that on the receipt hope at least read it.

This used to be my bar...I used to come here once a week at least when Sam worked here. Now this new guy is here. I'm not sure if he is the manager or what but the service with him has diminished greatly. The bees knees which I thoroughly enjoyed now tastes like trash. He mixed it up in 3 seconds without measuring anything out. It's a new bar without Sam and I suggest they change their attitude quickly.

Bar staff were incredibly knowledgeable and friendly. Great atmosphere and whiskey selection.

Quick recap: if you enjoy whisky, you'll enjoy this bar. If you're looking for a WIDE VARIETY of beer, this is not your place. This small joint is excellent for coming in, getting some whisky. And relaxing. There's hundreds of choices. International whisky, cheap whisky, expensive as fuck whisky. It's all here. The bartender the night I went had a wide array of knowledge of whisky, and explained how whisky can be enjoyed by anyone. The place is clean, has beer options for people who don't want whisky, and the music was not too loud. It's literally a chill good whisky bar.

Nice local bar. Not very big - a long bar on the right as you walk in and a couple of tables in the back. The space is so small that the bathrooms use sliding (pocket) doors. Just after opening so not busy. Bartender was fine. I had a Brockmans Gin on the rocks which wasn't difficult. My guest had a Sazerac - also good. Mainly a whiskey bar. A few beer taps. No television. No background music.

Great place for a pint and a pie - or a whisky (no 'e'). Friendly and knowledgeable Scottish bartenders. excellent selection of whisky from around the world - but primarily from Scotland. small but very good selection of beer on tap - including Belhaven, Twisted Thistle, and Guinness. Good music playing in the background - loud enough to hear and not too loud to stifle conversation. We stopped in here for a pint, ended up staying until 1:30 am. We shared a couple meat pies and enjoyed a few whisky's. The whisky pours are quite measured, not as liberal as some of the other places. And the prices seem a tad high (but it is NY). Thus only 4 stars vs. the 5 I'd like to give them. The scotch list is not as extensive as the one at St Andrews, Keen's, or Whiskey Park. But do you really need over 100 to choose from? So for a cool little pub for a pint/dram and pie - I'd certainly pick the Caladonia.

What a gem. Appropriately enough, we walked in here after a training run and picking up our Scotland Run registration tchotchkes from the Road Runners office nearby. I knew I liked this place right away: an older crowd with just enough seat at the bar to accommodate a line of regulars, and a small reservable (and reserved) couch area in the back for an intimate evening, perhaps. The bartender (who was from Liverpool, not Scotland, FYI) was extremely nice and laid-back. There was good music on the box (though curiously, it was a very 20-30something Indie playlist for what was essentially a crowd of late 30-40somethings). The taps had the expected Bellhaven ale, but also a very delicious Innis and Gunn oak-aged beer, as well as a Belhaven IPA. There were also a few good American craft beers and more traditional pub favorites. If this place were closer, I would park myself there on a regular basis, but alas the Upper East Siders will get to enjoy it in my stead. Drink a pint for me!

Atmosphere: Small. Cozy. Small tiny. Casual elegance. Drinks: 10/10. Crowd: old adults.

Yes and yes. I love SCOTCH. Please open one downtown or in Brooklyn. And haggis. Add haggis to the menu. No pressure or anything.

Amazing whiskey selection!!! Bartender was great helped me pick out some whiskeys based on my preferences. The brewsky option is also pretty neat - they pair a beer and whiskey. If your a whiskey officinado or brand new to whiskeys....this place is for you!

Awful. And it looks like the reviewer below "Shoua" was also there tonight during the same time I was. I went tonight with a group of 4 friends and we had an absolutely awful experience due to a group of extremely inappropriate, shrill, rude group of ladies plus a man who consistently claimed to be the "owner". He was not behind the bar; instead he was hanging out (as a customer) as he hit on nearly every single female while we were there. The group of women and the "owner" were extremely drunk and obnoxious: 1) One of the girls caused a huge scene when she climbed up another girl's shoulder to put a toothpick on a hook near the ceiling 2) They spilled drinks on our coats without even noticing because they were so drunk 3) The ladies, self proclaimed male "owner", and the bartenders were SCREAMING inside the bar, marketed to be super "chill" 4) The Bartenders did nothing to stop it, even as other patrons were leaving the bar in droves because of this. The bartenders were not paying attention to other customers - and it seems to be a pattern based on the Yelp reviews below. Instead of dissuading the guests from their obnoxious behavior, or cutting them off as a bartender SHOULD do by law, or simply removing them from the bar, the bartenders instead continued to egg them on, turning up the music to a screeching volume where it felt like a club (certainly the opposite of "the least pretentious whiskey bar"). We had to leave. During our time there, the bar emptied out and we overheard other customers say they would NEVER return. If the man who claimed to be the owner to the group of obnoxious ladies is really the owner, I hope you reconsider how you brand yourself and the way you treat your other patrons in the bar (at the expense of you trying to get laid). We likely will never return based on this experience. We love supporting local businesses and I want you to do well. I hope that you seriously reconsider how you run your business.

I think I have a new favorite whisk(e)y bar. The selection here is nothing short of amazing. All types, all price points, and organized logically. The bartenders are also friendly and helpful with their recommendations. Their menu starts off with their list of house rules, some serious, some hilarious, some both (there's a Tinder date rule). Had pours of their Bunnahbhain 12 and the Oban Little Bay, both of which I've never had before. Loved them both. Their online menu has descriptions of each whiskey, but their actual menus don't, which is odd. Start up a conversation with your bartender! They have a limited food menu, with some Scottish staples like sausage rolls, pies and Scotch eggs. Great bar!

Trevor at Caledonia UES is the best. He is knowledgeable about whiskey down to the detail, and he seems to enjoy sharing his appreciation for a good drink. It can be hard to find a cozy neighborhood bar in Manhattan, but enjoying a dram or other drink at Caledonia is like hanging out with good buddies.

A true gem on the upper east side! I went there because my friend is a regular, else I probably would have missed this bar all together. My buddy knows the bartender, who was very friendly, and recommended a "beginner scotch" for me. They have a very extensive array of scotches. They also have a solid list of cocktails that are very well done and some good craft beers. The bar is narrow but comfortable. it's on the nicer side, yet not stuffy or pretentious. I'd feel comfortable coming directly from work still in work clothes, or later in jeans and a t-shirt.

Nice quiet bar on the UES. I see a lot of dates here. They have an excellent selection of whiskies, I think most are a little pricey, but it's NY. Good quiet atmosphere. They have some light snacks on the menu but have never seen anyone eat them. They do have surprisingly good beers available. Nice little hidden spot. Love the sword over the bar.

A tad hard to find, it's nestled behind a small front on the East side a short walk away from the Met. A long bar and sophisticated, austere decor give the bar a classy feel. There's a magnificent selection of beer and wine, including some delicious craft beers. My friend enjoyed her Malbec and I had a rich and delightful Six Point Resin double IPA. But the peak were the whiskey cocktails. My Lock, Stock, and Smoking Barrel was one of the most finely balanced drinks that have passed my lips. A smokey whiskey sour, with the rich, flavor of the whiskey perfectly offset by a lemony tang. We snaked on some ricotta and bread. Again, rich and delicious. Go there.

Caledonia is a wonderful, wonderful find on the UES! Thank goodness for Yelp, or we would have never made the discovery... and if my friend hadn't been looking so closely, we would have walked right by this bar without a second glance. This place is small and intimate, with the majority of the seating being around the bar. There are a few sofas and such in the front and back, but most patrons seemed to want a spot at the bar. When we got there around 8:30PM, the bar was relatively empty, and surprisingly quiet, which we liked. For ya'll couples, this is definitely a nice place to go on a date if you don't want to yell at your companion over loud music and rowdy, drunk folks. Seriously, the patrons at this bar are some of the chillest that I've run into around town. No messes. No vulgarity. Just people getting together for a drink or two The bartenders have sweet accents and a good sense of humor. (With those house rules, I don't know how anyone without a good sense of humor could work here!) They seemed to be quite chummy with the regulars as well, which is always a nice interaction to see at these neighborhood bars. If they are reading this, I want them to know that my friend and I hope to be these said regulars in the near future. The cocktails are delicious, and are very reasonably priced! I got the Penicillin and my friend got the Bramble, but a few sips in, we decided to switch because she's a bigger whiskey fan and I'm a huge fan of anything fruity and sour. We have deemed Caledonia 'our bar', and we can't wait to be back soon!!

Best place for a scotch in NYC. Their COVID safety measures are pretty good. Would recommend this place if you are in the UES.

Passed by this place every day for 7 years and finally tried it. Very cool hidden gem, doesn't feel like it belongs on the UES. It's a dark narrow bar with some tables in the back, and a good playlist. Not a whisky drinker, but had an amazing cocktail. I have to say it was one of the better cocktails I've ever had. It was a gin one with lemon and honey and it had a maraschino cherry at the bottom. Great place for a date.

Came here for a quick drink last Sunday. Service was awful. A female bartender was on the phone the entire time we were there. When we asked for some help she gave us 3 bottles so we could chose a scotch "we like". She never opened them and just told us to smell it. When we were sipping our drink she came and ask if everything is alright, we told her that it didn't taste really good, she said huh and walked away. Thanks. Gross. Never again