Maiden Lane

Why is the sun always shining and the weather always perfect when I end up at Maiden Lane? Could be a coincidence. Could be witchcraft. The tinned fish and salty drinks create the perfect city-coastal escape. The tanned California transplants working out inside Tompkins Sq. Park will also make you feel as though you’re at a beach. Just beware the occasional villager passing by who makes eye contact with you as you drool over your martini and fish.

Maiden Lane Pub is a vibing spot to meetup with friends & grab a few drinks. Bartender could do better making drinks but if u want a draft beer it’s an ok spot for that. I do recommend this spot for a quick drink.

Very rude bouncer working Saturday night accused us of trying to sneak in when we walked in the door because he was standing around the corner talking to his friend and we had no idea he was even there/there was a bouncer. He then accused one of our IDs of being fake and refused to scan it. We are all of age & the same age as the rest of the guests?? Think he was just mad bc he wasn’t doing his job actually standing in front of the door. Will never be returning.

Nice cozy bar, with large & affordable drinks! The standout from my experience here was the bartender/ chef, Alejandro, who so kindly gave me and my friends some free bar snacks!! And he also gave us some flowers to take home 😭🤍 he was so sweet and generous, he really made our time there memorable.

neighborhood bar on avenue b serving up food (like highly underrated tinned seafood!), booze, and a relaxed vibe. good amount of seating both inside and outside. friendly service. cheap beer options like $5 Narragansett’s cans. day drinkers rejoice! CHEERS

Cool place that's doing reasonably priced beers during 'outdoor dining' COVID crisis. On a nice day it's refreshing to chill and watch the world go by with a beer and a bite. Limited seating but they're doing their bit.

Amazing dive bar in the East Village! Went here on a Sunday for a friend's birthday, and was impressed. The bartenders were fast and friendly. The vodka pours on the mixed drinks were generous, and the prices were reasonable. The vibes were great, and the outdoor seating with heaters was a great plus. Will definitely be back.

Delicious grilled cheese & tomato soup! 🍅 Great IPAs on tap as well fabulous trivia. Friendly barstaff as well!

If I could give this place more than 5 stars I would. Service was phenomenal. I wish I got our bartender's name but she was probably the nicest person I've ever encountered! She was making a drink and dropped the shaker near us (didn't affect us or bother us in any way) and she immediately apologized and then offered us a free shot! She also kept topping off my wine without me asking. Super friendly and really made us enjoy our experience there. If we didn't have a dinner reservation at another restaurant that night we probably would've stayed all night. Great vibes and people :)

Divey, cozy, corner bar with cheap, good cocktails like the electric lemonade for $10. Also a fan of the warm whisky cider but it is strong! Small food menu, good service.

The bartender was horribly rude. I didn't catch her name, but she had dark hair and bangs. She asked if my friend or I was wearing perfume and we politely responded yes, and then she told us to move in an extremely rude way because I was giving her a headache. I would never ever speak to a customer like that. The drinks were good, but the service left a disgusting taste in my mouth.

So many mocktail options! I was over the moon. Especially because I had my old time favorite Michelada with 0 alcohol. Aka Michenada. We stopped by on a Thurs night for a drink. Servers are friendly and fast. We had to order at the bar regardless if we're sitting indoors or outdoors. The service only stays behind the bar, which, can be annoying once it gets crowded and you're the one sitting at the bar. We hung out there for a long while until there was a flow of people as if a class got out. It was college kids vibe -- the annoying dudes who don't understand a concept of personal space. I like the location and the menu so I'll definitely be back on a nice day for an outside table. Probably not for a late night hang though!

Why is the sun always shining and the weather always perfect when I end up at Maiden Lane? Could be a coincidence. Could be witchcraft. The tinned fish and salty drinks create the perfect city-coastal escape. The tanned California transplants working out inside Tompkins will also make you feel as though you're at a beach. Just beware the occasional villager passing by who makes eye contact with you as you drool over your martini and fish.

neighborhood bar on avenue b serving up food (like highly underrated tinned seafood!), booze, and a relaxed vibe. good amount of seating both inside and outside. friendly service. cheap beer options like $5 Narragansett's cans. day drinkers rejoice! CHEERS

I love Maiden Lane as a nice neighborhood place to get an al freso drink (overlooking the park!) . The food menu provides great accompaniments to the drinks. I usually go there to enjoy a lovely afternoon/evening by myself and so tend to get the BLT & a beer but have been there with friends too and it always feels convivial.

Hands down the best Bloody Mary's I've had in NYC!! And you can order one any day any time which is rare . Delicious food , best pickles , friendly atmosphere! One of the best neighborhood bars !!

I absolutely love this bar, as every time I'm in the East Village I always stop here. The vibes are always good, bartenders are very attentive, live music on occasion which is also a nice touch, and I enjoy their bar food too. They have outside seating (dog friendly patio) and also have big bar tables that are more like community tables where the windows open and you get a nice breeze. It's a place that makes me feel good when I get there and when I leave. I always have an interesting convo with some random there just about every time. If you find yourself close to Tompkins Square Park and are looking for a cool place to go relax, check this place out because its quickly become an East Village favorite for me. It's very affordable too, considering there are some bars around with some steep pricing, this is a good option too for someone on a budget, for me its just one of my favorites. Hope you love Maiden Lane as much as I do. Cheers & Enjoy!

This place is super cute. Love the tinned fish options and the crab dip. They provide dressed parsley, bread, butter, and salt for the tins and I appreciate they didn't skimp on the bread one bit so we had plenty for our tins. Nice simple delicious drinks. Cool vibe and pleasant service. I will definitely be back. Perfect spot for an afternoon snack on a nice day with Windows open to enjoy the breeze.

I don't recommend going this bar. A few nights ago, I wanted to have a relaxed night out. I decided to spend one hour at this place. I had two drinks, and later these two women bartender in front of everyone called me a "creep." First of all they said I was staring at them and I was at the counter minding my business watching the muted tv. I was sitting there peacefully and people talking with me. I was shocked and confused because I'm a man of color and felt discriminated.

Truly, on Jesus Christ's name the worst drink I've ever had. Terrible place, terrible vibes, terrible service.

This bar is right off the park, so, unsurprisingly, it can be a bit crowded and service can be slow. If you're cool with browsing a bin of records while you wait, then maybe this spot is for you! In my experience though, the somewhat pricey for what you get cocktails and the strange smells in the outdoor area just aren't worth it.

Went here last night and spent a lot of money patronizing this business. We stayed until the bar closed and when they were ready to shut down the bouncer became really aggressive and yelled obscenities at my friends. We were cordially leaving the bar and the bouncer called my friend a cunt as we were trying to leave. We were not being obstreperous by any means. I will not be returning to this establishment

Wish I discovered this spot sooner.. Had a solo lunch here on a weekday some time back. I ordered the open sandwich with white fish salad and smoked salmon. It was delicious and I loved the addition of fried capers and pickled onions. I also ordered a spritz and particularly enjoyed their version using Contratto. I must go back and check out their offerings from the tinned selection as I find the whole concept fascinating.

Part of the cadre that was slighted by the fat bouncer. Wildly inappropriate. Probably dealing with his own demons, but some basic respect seems a reasonable ask.

Worst staff ever. So rude. Calling my friends derogatory words. Can't believe the staff here, absolutely horrible. Never come here.

Really wonderful corner spot for a quick drink and a bite. Only problem is that on weekend nights you can get large groups of c*nts who come in right before they close, don't buy anything, refuse to leave after repeated requests, and then cry on yelp about it. The entitlement and lack of respect for staff from such spoiled brats is astounding! Luckily, Karen-types are relatively few and far between.

Maiden Lane is a bar specializing in tinned seafood in Alphabet City. I'm no fan of the can, but my boyfriend is, so we stopped in for a nightcap and a bite after dinner on a Friday night in May. We sat outside for a little bit, but they close outdoor seating at 11 pm (good neighbors), so we were mostly inside. The illustrations of cans on the wall are cool, and the music is good. It gets quite loud and busy during late night, and it was just a bit cramped for me. They offer classic cocktails like negronis and dark and strormies at below market price for this neighborhood ($10-12). The focus is more on wine and beer here. Surprisingly, there weren't many ciders or fortified options, which I associate with tinned seafood, but I was able to get Maeloc, a Spanish-style cider ($7). We had the tuna belly ($30 according to the website, don't think we paid that though). It's served with crusty bread, parsley, butter, and salt. You can make some nice bites with this. Although the tuna belly is rich and flavorful, I think there was just no getting around that kind of preserved fishy taste for me, and I'm not a convert to the can. I think it's just a little raucous during weekend late night to snack here, as we were wedged into a corner and people were pretty rowdy. I would use this place for a brunch or late afternoon hang outside for food, or just a drink at night.

BOMB BLOODY MARY!!!! Will update once I try more, but had to share this VERY important knowledge with the world!

Great ambiance, great food, great stuff , what more can you ask for. I love the location and the people are so realX and welcoming . Love this place ! I'll keep coming

Cheap drinks and great food. That's literally all I ask for. We love coming here!! I'd highly recommend. Fun to sit outside when it's sunny also

Sometimes it's your bladder that controls the evening. Sometimes you have to pop into spots on your bar crawl inbetween inebriated new locales... PAUSE, it's tinkle time! I was lucky enough to have my good friend who's pea sized bladder allowed me to experience this hidden gem. Fitting with the namesake, my Maiden voyage was a great one! This was a liquid pop in so I have yet to try their seafood and raw bar options, although everything i peeped while there looked very enticing. The space is small and intimate and the layout great. I loved the geometrically jutting and corner sided concrete style bar. It allowed for easily finding a walk up space to grab a drink. A happy accident on the evenings bar crawl. The available cocktails offered looked great and featured a variation on one of my favorites... The Corpse Reviver 2. But when crawling you have to limit the $10-$14 cocktails, so....tonights choice was an absolute winner in my books! I love the Beer-n-Shot combos and all variations are welcome. There is nothing more perfect for a bar crawl then a frosty can and shot before you bounce on to the next spot. Our offering was a variation on my go to : Tecate + Tequila. This one added a follow shot of Yellow Sangrita! It was great.. the flavors mirrored the beer and liquor perfectly with a hint of heat and spice and I could easily pop those all night. The other great selling point was the music. Loud enough to get lost in but soft enough to not have to yell. Once again the physical presence of a live DJ is what added to the perfect atmosphere. He was spinning one off 45's of old and new school Dub and Rocksteady. Perfect... it's hard to not feel happy with this musical genre i feel, and the DJ was pulling out all kinds of hard to hear tracks. The staff was friendly and engaging and service was on point. Im glad my buddies bladder is so tiny or I may have never found this great spot. I look forward to coming back for the Corpse Reviver 2 and some buttery Crab Cakes. Tally HO!

Maiden Lane is simply sensational. I had a great experience at Maiden Lane. Maiden Lane has a terrific Yellow Sangrita, that was my very first time giving it a try at this restaurant, and I was pleasantly surprised with how good it was. The crew is really a highlight of this place because they are always quick, polite, and provide service with a smile! Overall I would go to this place again and again.

First of all, the concept is definitely pretty cool - canned fish/seafood. The orange wine I ordered was pretty interesting, too. I wasn't a fan of the loudness and some flies buzzing around the un-bussed table next to us. We took a decent walk to get there and I'm not sure if I'd do that again, but if I was staying in the area I'd probably return to give it another chance.

"I remember when I used to eat sardines for dinner." I remember being a kid and listening to that Notorious B.I.G. lyric and being grossed out. The idea of eating canned sardines as your dinner was a sad, stinky prospect. Little did I know that several decades older, sardines would be one of my favorite foods on the planet, and you won't find a better destination for delicious oily fish than Maiden Lane. I've been to some of the best places in the world for sardines, from Italy to Spain to Portugal, and I gotta say -- Maiden Lane is right up there with the best. Of course they're dirt cheap in some of the smaller markets abroad (and comestibles of any kind are more expensive in New York), but taste wise, it's on the top of the culinary food chain. If you're into canned fish, you're going to love what you find here. To make the Maiden Lane experience even better, they have a delicious winter spiked cider, and you can't beat the soundtrack coming from an analog record player in the corner of the bar. All in all, one of the most unique and pleasurable bar going experiences you'll find in East Village.

I am a fan for sure. Maiden Lane is a super laid-back spot that's great for drinks, either to get the party started or keep the good feels going at the end of the night. On both visits, bartenders were friendly and the drinks were tasty. Props also for the music, a solid variety of vinyl tunes that adds to the chill ambiance. This is a bar I'll continue to seek out for drinks with friends while in NYC.

We were in New York for our first post social distancing trip and heard about this neighborhood restaurant/bar in the East Village. It was a nice experience and provided the perfect setting to enjoy delicious food in a lively neighborhood. The restaurant sits on a corner of Tompkins Square Park where there is lots of activity and plenty of outdoor seating. We read that the restaurant had remained open throughout the pandemic and helped support the neighborhood so we wanted to support them. The drink menu had an option for everyone and we enjoyed our spritzes, spiked lemonade and coconut punch. The pastrami sandwich, salmon bites on cucumber, and homemade ricotta toasts with macerated strawberries and greens were wonderfully memorable. If you have never tried whitefish dip, this is the place to try it. It was addicting. The restaurant is known for its tinned fish options and we really enjoyed the boquerones and octopus. We spoke with the owner and were surprised to hear that he has operated the restaurant for ten years. It's obviously a labor of love. The cook, Pedro, served some of the food and recommended some of his favorites. This is one of those special neighborhood places NYC is known for.

I stopped in here for a brief drink before meeting a friend. The interior was dark and decorated with dark wood making it oh-so cozy. It's like Scandinavia meets New England fishing village. I was a little bummed out there was no wifi (remember I was killing time before meeting a friend) but the bartender was nice enough to hook me up (just this one time). I had a delicious glass of cab franc. Let's face it if you're not a wine connoisseur they all taste similar, but this one really stood out. I also had the hot crab dip. YUMMMM. I HIGHLY recommend it. It was creamy and warm with just a hint of spice. I would only take a one star because I wish they had a bit more on their menu! Keep in mind this is more bar-ish food. I wouldn't come here for a full dinner.

"A welcome addition to my 'hood" Even though they didn't ask me, I think it's quite alright for them to have opened in this too long empty space. While they are still in soft opening mode, there are some really good pluses to this place. I perused their menu and had a glass of wine so I can't give them a full review, but I think it is promising enough to check out: *Warm and friendly staff *Airy, open, yet quaint decor *Good location off the park *It's not a speakeasy I predict I will be frequent visitor here.

Tremendous fun authentic in the moment right where it needs to be. Dig this place!!!!!

Fantastic lunch. The chorizo sandwich was spectacular, as was the cheese plate. And the view of Tompkins Square Park on a perfect summer day? Nice .

Thanks to Yelp for highlighting Maiden Lane as a lunch spot. It's a cold Saturday and the place was empty. Bartender was friendly and the menu had something keto-friendly. I could have had tins of seafood, which cracks me up, but chose to start with really tasty green olives--like, enough for the whole bar!!--and a delicious, crisp fresh wedge salad.

this place is a GEM. Went in on a Saturday night and the server was really sweet. We ordered the lobster roll (a necessity) and the hot crab dip (mouth-watering) and then the squid salad (very tasty). They had a drink special with a shot of tequila that you chase with this spicy concoction...it was like a fancier, tastier version of a pickleback. It was DELICIOUS. Definitely recommend this place & I most certainly will be going back!

A beer and the whitefish salad were all I needed here. When I went it was a hot summer day and my fiance and I were "Hangry" at each other having exhausted ourselves house hunting earlier in the weekend. A word of warning on my review here - I never stepped foot inside the restaurant as I was sitting by the tables looking at Tompkins Square Park. As this is one of the only restaurants facing the park, they certainly have a monopoly on their view and the experience that goes with it. Overall the food was moderately priced for the EV and the service was snappy for some pretty good selections of fish and pickles. The bar is great late at night and the hidden gem here is the breakfast menu. Killer Bagel sandwich for $8!

Went here for drinks and dinner with work colleagues and they were closed for "maintenance" for the day. Sounds like a little health department "maintenance" to me... Remember, they specialize in seafood.

Amazing Happy Hour! Great location in the East Village. We had a large group and had a lovely time.

This is a solid little neighborhood (for me) spot. I've stopped in one two occasions when I was looking for somewhere to stop with friends and it serves it's purpose without standing out as being amazing for any particular reason. Last night (Friday) the music was extremely loud. Am j getting older? Yes. But unless you are at a club, that sound level feels unnecessary because you have to literally about to be heard right across the table. Cool spot, worth a stop in but maybe not a long trek.

This place opened perfectly in the midst of summer and has been a very welcomed addition to the neighborhood. I've been here when they first opened for a lovely cup of coffee as well as for a summer meal and evening drinks. Each time has been absolutely splendid. I will say with their features of canned seafood, I applaud them for introducing me to such deliciousness. I thought good canned seafood was something you could only find abroad. I've found canned food goodness at Maiden Lane and I like it! Plus, the guys running the place are very cool and more than willing to answer any questions without sighing.

Their walk up window is a literal lifesaver during this pandemic. A few of their amazing spicy watermelon beverages make even the coldest outdoor table feel cozy. Thanks for the safe haven!

Bartender there named Misha was extremely rude and clearly wasted while at work and couldn't do his job. Totally unprofessional and couldn't even take my drink order. Was there with a large group of friends for a birthday and it was pretty embarrassing to see one of the staff members couldn't handle himself. Other female bartender was nice but this guy needs to go as we've been there many times and usually have a good experience.

My friends and I come here at least once a week, its our go-to spot for Sunday afternoons and weekday evenings. There's often a DJ playing old school vinyl, with Sunday afternoons being full of rare grooves to wind down the weekend. If I eat I'll either have the whitefish salad sandwich or experiment with some tins of seafood. It feels like a real neighborhood bar and the sidewalk seating is a plus for warm days.

One of my favorite bars in the neighborhood. Very cool, great to sit outside in the summer and fantastic music

Despite the fact that Maiden Lane was filled with tons of hyper children, the BF & I enjoyed our Sunday brunch and would definitely come back. We shared a lox bagel sandwich (toasted everything bagel with scallion cc, lox, tomato, caper, onion), the trout spread, and a can of anchovies served with butter & baguette. All of it was good and looking forward to trying their other dishes / cans!

FULL DISCLOSURE: I only had a glass of El Tesoro Platinum Tequila on the rocks. I walked in, fairly early (12:30 on a summery Saturday) Sat at the bar and admired the selection of beverages on the wall. A super friendly barman says hello. I order the tequila because. I check out the awesome decor and the surreptitious Technics 1200's sitting on the bar right next to me. In walks the DJ just to check a couple of records don't have scratches, presumably for the evening's soiree. Throws them on and I bliss out to my drink, the vibe, and the lovely afternoon. Twas then I noticed the selection of... Canned fish? Wish I could have stayed longer for some sardines and octopus but my time was not my own. Next time.

I've only been here a handful of times, usually to meet clients but every time has been a great experience. I was reluctant at 1st to patronize this place, only b/c I was around for the old "Life Cafe," but it's reliably chill and unpretentious spot. It does get crowded late weekend after 5 ish, but I have a 10 month old, so I'm not out that late anyway...

Oysters, a dope bar, cozy atmosphere, happy hour. 4 of the best things in life. ...all in one spot. Don't come here. Yeah, I'm talking to you.

I've now been to Maiden Lane four times. (I resisted writing a review after that first time so that I could wait and write this review to ensure its consistency.) It's really nice to finally have a laid back bar/café on Ave B. There were many times where I would walk up and down these blocks looking for an easy sit down place for a drink and a bite. Most of the places around here are restaurants for full sit-down meal or noisy bars. The space is awesome, I love the full windows, and with the wraparound views it never feels claustrophobic. I met the two owners Gareth and Nialls, they are very welcoming and knowledgeable about the neighborhood. The history of the bar and the menus are interesting to hear as well. I live nearby and it's cool to know that the owners also know the area well and and live near the bar. Here is the my favorite part when writing reviews: "THE FOOD!" I had a few of the items on the menu and highly recommend the white anchovies. The taste was extremely fresh and the marinade was delicious. If I could buy a jar of it, I probably would. It's that good. The salmon plate was also delicious and the portions were about right. The cheese plate felt like it was selected with some thought. (I have not tried their sandwiches yet, but can't wait to sample some when I go back.) Their wine was also good and went well with the food I had. I went with their suggestions and the matching definitely worked. I'm really excited that this place opened in my neighborhood. It's only been open a few weeks but it feels already like a "neighborhoody" type place that has been there for ages.

I am a big fan of Maiden Lane. I've been here several times and each time the place gets better. The venue is very casual with no frills and good music. Whoever chooses the music has good taste. The design of Maiden Lane is very minimal but not boring. The food here is very simple and it compliments your beer or wine. I've had the anchovies, lobster roll and my choice of drinks is the Michelada which consists of beer, tomato, lime and hot sauce. I hear that they may do outdoor seating soon so I am looking forward to reading my paper outside and enjoying my Michelada on a Sunday afternoon. Maiden Lane is a great addition to this neighborhood and is one of a kind.