Mess Hall Harlem

Stopped by with friends and ended up staying much longer than planned. The space has a great vibe—lively but not chaotic—and it’s easy to actually enjoy a conversation while still feeling like you’re out in NYC. The drinks were well made, reasonably priced, and the staff clearly know what they’re doing. What really stood out was the atmosphere and service. Everyone was friendly, attentive without hovering, and genuinely welcoming. It feels like the kind of bar you can come back to regularly, whether for a casual drink or a fun night out

Best trivia night and best staff! Always feel like part of the community here. Very cozy atmosphere. Fun seasonal draft selection. Claire and Derek are the best. Thank you!

I love this place the ambiance is beautiful the people that work there are so sweet and attentive the music they play is always great. Food is great and drinks as well are all nicely priced. I also really like the crowd that goes there all really nice people feel very comfortable there wish I could give this place 10 stars

My friends and I have been coming here almost every week for over two years! It’s the perfect neighborhood bar — casual and chill vibe, great staff (Derek is the best!) and solid drinks & snacks. We ❤️ mess hall

To the owners: please train your bartenders in basic customer service. I asked for a hot tea. If it’s not available — that’s absolutely fine. What is not fine is the eye-rolling, the sighing, being told “this is a bar” in a condescending tone, and then discussing me with another guest while looking at me like I’m stupid. Some bars do serve hot tea. Asking doesn’t make a guest an idiot. Respect costs nothing.

I come here every week for trivia. The management is great and good service. They have my favorite pretzel in the city. Great ambiance as well.

Amazing and cozy place to spend your time! Service is always on point, and Trivia Tuesdays is always a great experience! Best drink on the menu is the margarita, and the chicken sandwich is so good!

I love Mess Hall so much, especially in the summer with the outdoor seating. I bring my friends often and they share the same sentiments. The bartenders and other staff are wonderful. I don’t really explore the food as much, but the fritos and chili from my last visit was hot and filling. My go to is the frozen margarita - delicious and strong.

Great bar! The bartenders do a great job, because sometimes they get crazy busy!!!! But they always see the bar and take care of it!!! ‍‍ I only wish they had more wine choices! Just a few really good ones! Harlem will pay!!

Love the ambiance in this place. Super chill, intimate and cozy, perfect for date night! Yummy drinks and fun games. I just found out they have themed nights like martini Mondays and trivia Tuesdays (which I want to go to!) It's a safe bet going here any day of the week.

11/10!!!! Just hosted my 30th birthday here and I cannot imagine a better venue. Service was excellent, drinks were perfect and super well priced. The ambience on the back patio is perfect. Water jug was always full, tables were always cleared, and me and my friends always had a drink in hand. Thank you Aaron, Ben, and the whole team for enabling such a perfect night!!!!

Quaint bar with some good beer/shot deals. can be a bit loud but fun and the patio seating is nice.

I love this bar so much! I have been here on dates, catch up with friends, and just go have a drink before heading home. It's casual and warm. Nice in the summertime, the wintertime, or any time of year. The drinks are strong and delicious! They have a good menu selection and a great happy hour. But you can also just order whatever you would like. Typically, the music is a great selection. A fun classic pop hits, but there are also a few old score hits occasionally. They have plenty of seating and have a projector in the front that shows movies in case you need something to look at. They also have a few historical black figures on the wall, which I always love to see. The food is pretty good...... I would say the spinach and artichoke dip is great. The disco tots can be hit or miss, and the sandwich is good. I have been here a few times and will return in the future! Also the service is great! All the staff is so friendly!

Were informed tonight that we're unruly and welcome to "again complain to the owner." We're two people quietly having drinks, regulars (until now), who have never met the owner.

Just ok. Menu was limited. Drink offerings were nothing special. And vibes were weird. Unless you're an avid dart player, I'd probably skip.

2nd stop on a night out exploring the area. The old fashion was good, executed as it should be. Venue is quite small but was cool that played home alone 2 on the wall through the projector. My bill was incorrect and had to take some time for it to be corrected which made the experience a little frustrating.

My favorite neighborhood bar. The staff is great and the drinks are awesome. Their bar food is really good too.

I started my "moving on from my ex" project by accepting a date here. I didn't have high hopes for this date since it was literally my first time back out in the market since a very brutal breakup where I was still talking to that ex (it was also the friendliest breakup ever, like something out of a Woody Allen movie). Before walking in, I was listening to M People's "Moving on Up" and when I walked in, I saw they were playing the movie "Waiting to Exhale" on the projector near the back. Those were good omens for me as I had just bought "Waiting to Exhale" and was looking forward to seeing it on my own. This is definitely more the place for you if you're a drinker vs. a non-drinker like myself. I had some sips of a drink, which tasted fine but the date itself was probably not great since I was just trying to get ready to date again but we all have to start somewhere. It was a nice find and I'd never been before. It wasn't the least bit crowded.

Great hole in wall spot for drinks with friends or drinks before a dinner date. The food menu is limited as this is more of a cocktail bar but it is still nice to have something to eat while drinking. The service was very nice and the bartender was very attentive.

Loud bar (because of the music, not the customers) with lots of spirits and a ton of personality. They have a $5 beer happy hour 4-8p every day. The outside patio is a plus, but get there early if you want a seat.

This was the classiest looking "dive bar" I've ever seen. The decor was minimal with slight industrial and earthy touches, this gave the space a welcoming feel. The drinks were pleasing. There's a beer & shot combo for $9 which I believe is a nice starting point. The only complaint I have is that they no longer serve the speciality hot dogs, & happy hour is no more. If you're in the neighborhood then Mess Hall is a solid bar to enjoy some libations.

Visiting from out of town and my friends brought me to their favorite local watering hole. It didn't disappoint and we finished the night here. A good mix of people, with space in the front and back and some bar seating along the middle. The drinks were strong and the beer was smooth. The hotdog was a nice touch and hit the spot too. They had table service, and our waiter was a character who added to the wonderful night. Highly recommend and if I'm back visiting I'll be back too.

Love love love the home vibes here. The staff was awesome....I believe it was Adam on Sunday evening and he was so much fun! This is the kind of bar you want to hang out at because it's comfy, good vibes and good company! Can't wait to come back!

Awesome on a Wednesday night for happy hour and bingo! HH is 5-8 and bingo is 7-9. I won a free hot dog ($5.50) and a silicone ice mold. ;) Bartenders are friendly but no-nonsense which I love. Free cheese balls and spiced nuts! The hot dogs are GREAT, locally sourced and made from brisket. (Veggie options available.) I had the Uptown Bahn Mi which I rationalized as "healthy for being loaded with cucumber and carrot and a Tex-mex hotdog with avocado. Everything was delicious and drinks were strong! Chalkboard in the bathroom is fun too. Come here!

good prices, good vibes and great service. had my birthday here and there was plenty of space for a small group to gather without having to do a group tab or make a reservation

Double Dutch and Mess Hall are side by side: DD has your daytime java fix while MH has your alcoholic evening libations, both are nicely set up with attentive staff and a larger menu than expected. Nearly anything you want to drink, Mess Hall has. Don't be deterred by the dark and kitschy interior, just look over the counter at the fresh fruit and herb garnishes. MH may not have upscale ambiance but they do have quality cocktails. If that's not your thing, their small selection of craft beers had some good choices, too. Bonus points for having a menu of hotdogs for late-night eats!

This is such a cool spot in Harlem! I love it here! I must come back. It's a narrow space in the beginning of the bar but when you go further down there's a bit more room and tables. They have a cool list of drinks and really eccentric hotdogs. When I got there about 10:30 PM, they had no more hotdogs unfortunately so I have to come back to try that. It's a good first date spot however, the music can border obnoxiously loud. As long as you're next to somebody, you should be able to hear them fine. They also have a huge screen projector for watching games and picnic table-like tables to sit at in front of the screen.

I don't get to frequent this place as much as I would like, but the few times I have enjoyed myself. Was there for the tail end happy hour a couple weeks ago and I was actually able to snag a seat at the bar! The staff was super gracious and kind. Our bartender took his time to go over the menu, HH specials and some of his favorite drinks. The drinks are great, especially after coming from 67 Orange where a simple Old Fashioned is much needed to finish (or start) the night. I personally love their Negronis, Although the menu is limited, the hot dogs and topping themselves punch a lot of flavor. Looking forward to visiting many times more!

I used to come here regularly before the pandemic. I used to love it here. Tonight I dropped in for a drink and man, has the place gone downhill The staff weren't unfriendly just uninterested- I ordered a beer, it was flat, undrinkable - I pointed this out to the bartender who insisted that he could see bubbles in the glass. I insisted that the beer was no good so he poured me a different one - it was the same so after a couple of sips I left it on the bar and went somewhere else

If you are looking for a place to start or end your night , then definitely pop into this place . If you are looking for ambiance , and great food, you won't be pleased . The only food available is a hot dog , folks mentioned cheese puffs and nuts, never saw those or offered. The best part of this place is the wait staff , nothing else was a hit for me .

There's really not much that I did not like about Mess Hall. It is a very low key bar that has a nice rotation of draft beers and small bites. Mess Hall is a great place to meet up with a couple of friends for a chill night. We visited on an early Sunday evening, and Mess Hall was somewhat empty. Plus, the bar has happy hour every day until 8 pm, which is very inviting. The service was a bit disappointing (I think the servers were in between a shift change). That said, one of the servers comped a couple of our hotdogs.

Cute neighborhood hipster/dive bar with good drink options. They only serve hotdogs but allow you to bring outside food or order delivery. They host trivia every Tuesday night which is a lot of fun but very crowded.

Fun atmosphere and cool staff. Was a busy trivia night when we visited so service was a little on the slow side, but we enjoyed ourselves nonetheless. Definitely would head back on a non-trivia night to check it out again.

$4 shots and cheesy poofs? Sold! Whether you're in the mood for shots, cocktails, or a glass of wine, Mess Hall has you covered. Need something heftier than cheese balls and pretzels? Order a hot dog or two - before 11pm - to fill your stomach. There's a rear patio if you're feeling outdoorsy, or as outdoorsy as you can feel when you're at a bar in Harlem. Credit accepted.

Just went for a drink and had read some great reviews. I found the place to be a bit small, drinks are good, prices average for Manhattan. They played good music, service was ok but we were confused when we received the bill and were charged for margaritas plus an additional up charge fee. We asked the bartender what was that and he told us that the margarita charge was for only the liquor and the up charge was for making the margarita mix... that was just strange. Never heard of that before. We asked for the manager and he told us they didn't have one on duty humm

Free Cheese balls and mixed nuts? Check Whiskey? Beer? Wine? Check, check, check Friendly service with generous pours? Check Great atmosphere? Check Chalk walls in bathroom? Check Movie on projector? Check Tables for groups? Bar seating? Backyard?! CHECK!! Hot dogs!!!! And a DJ? Check Happy hour specials and an "adult happy meal"? Check I have to be honest: there was little that I did not like. The bar is stocked with all types of libations and more. It is the type of place one can go to alone or with a group or to cap off a great date with conversation and knowing glances. Although it is a small space, it certainly packs a punch. If the front looks packed just head to the back- there is plenty of room in this railroad style bar. Wonderful decor and spotlessly clean.

Good mellow bar. Recommend for drinks with friends or late night drinks! Has darts too

I love this place! Their hot dog are soooo good (and pretty messy if you eat like I do)! I've managed to try all of them and I can't pick a favorite. They also have a meal with a hot dog, a shot and a beer for pretty cheap (I usually get it). The staff are great and the atmosphere is that of a classic dive bar (not fratty, more of a old wooden classic). Their drinks are good too. Nice selection. Side note - I'm a omnivore but I have a bunch of friends that are vegetarian and this place has what I am told is "a really good veggie dog".

Solid, popular spot in the area! Expect it to be popular even on a weekday night. Nice cocktails, and great specials (AFTER midnight- $10 for a shot, a beer, and a hot dog). Hot dogs are so good! Tip- ask for cheese balls- they're free! In the back, there's a dart board. You can ask for darts.

This bar was very cool. Drinks were perfect and service was excellent. The menu didn't it catch my attention because I'm not a hot dog person but the menu was very creative. Very chill atmosphere. I will be going back for more drinks :)

Yay, Mess Hall! I came here for a private wedding reception. First, I just want to give a shout-out to the bartenders and waiters who were ridiculously friendly and professional despite a heaving crowd of semi-drunk people wandering the narrow space. You guys rock. If you handled us without losing your cool, I feel secure in your capacity to handle any Friday/Saturday night crowds. Second, the drinks were ON POINT. I stuck to one and only one drink throughout the night: Gin, Tan, and Laundry. A) Great name. Someone clearly wins the Jersey Shore puns. B) The drink itself is so good and nabbed one of those fancy wrestling belts for contenders in the Battle of the Bars. There are cucumbers, rosemary-infused gin, and egg whites. I also tried the Dante's Punch, which was some spicy, tequila-based drink with a chili-salt rim. Third, I did not get to try the famous cheese puffs but I saw two or three jugs of it in the back so there's a good chance those will not be running out. Fourth, if I lived in the neighborhood, this would be my go-to bar. The Happy Hour specials looked pretty enticing. Fifth, if you're a hot dog person, you'll love the many variations of hot dog they've got going on in the menu. I took a bite of the Harlem Dog with the fried onions and shredded cheese. More than enough to soak up the alcohol. Sixth, look for the mounted buck head and the back patio.

I live just like 10 blocks away from this place and I've only been here a few times, but I've yet to have a bad experience here. The drinks are pretty good for their price and the service has always been pretty great for a bar. The hotdogs are also really satisfying, if not incredibly flavorful.

It was a grater surprise to me when I finally stepped in and hang out since I would pick in at hours that it wasn't open would stop at the coffee shop next door and that's how I discovered the adorable place and it's Staff just on point grate drinks and ambiance

What a hidden gem!! Almost don't want to share this great find. It's a narrow bar but they have a big outside patio where you can be served. I went on a semi chilly night and it was still good. I cant imagine how great it is in the late spring and summer. Here is the best part they have a adult happy meal which is a shot of tequila or bourbon, a can of beer, and a specialty hotdog for 11 bucks. What a nostalgic idea! Great steal. No doubt I will be back when the weather gets warmer.

Really, really neat little place up near 119th Street. It's a beautifully decorated space with a garage-style door up front that opens all the way. The interior is long and narrow but leads you to a small back garden that has several tables. In front of the bar are a couple of large, communal tables that fix six nicely and maybe eight if you're very good friends! The beer and drink menu is nice. The beer list isn't too long, but it is well selected and there's something for everyone. The cocktail list is very nice and my friend enjoyed the cocktails he had. It's a very chic place and to be honest, I felt like a bum in a t-shirt and cargo shorts. The design is really lovely, cool and hip. All of the mirrors and photos and taxidermy really give it a unique feel. The complimentary cheeze balls and pretzels put this place over the top! I love those things, regardless of how bad they are for me. Service was great from everyone. I really, really like this place, but next time I go, I'm going to try to dress a little fresher because the clientele here really steps up their game. If anyone wants to be my personal stylist, let me know and I can be your male Eliza Doolittle as you unleash the improved version of Bill on Mess Hall.

came here for my friend's coworker's happy hour celebration and I found Mess Hall to be such a cute & cozy bar! They were about 8 of us in the back of the bar so it got crowded really quickly haha there was also another table of 4 people right behind us so that also contributed! Wanted to get the adult happy meal (beer with their gourmet hot dog for $10) but had to save room for charcoal kbbq in ktown. Did try their happy hour cab sauv ($6) & it was so good! Usually, I don't expect much of house wines/happy hour wines because they end up being somewhat off but theirs was great! Service was friendly as well :) would def come again!

Good happy hour drinks, fast bartender and I absolutely love their bingo games. It was so much fun that I can't wait to come back- only reason they don't get 5 stars is because they have nothing for me to eat in their menu (lots of hot dogs- although also a veggie option) nothing other than that. They should consider adding a salad or something along those lines to their menu.

Great pickleback shots, and atmosphere. They have movies playing on the walls with the sound off. They have a dart board in the back. The waiter was dressed so casually that I was convinced he wasn't a waiter at first, but he was a cool guy nonetheless. The bathroom situation is a bit odd. They have a key on a clipboard, which isn't very sanitary. I don't know why they need a key to the bathroom. It's full all the time anyway, so it wouldn't be anyone's first choice to use if they were trying to come in off the street to use a bathroom.

This is a nice tiny spot to have some drinks or to meet friends to just chat. It has a small area with tables up front and on Wednesdays they have an open mic on which local artists perform. They had about 7 musicians and comedians perform. If youre not into that then go further back and enjoy your drink. They have craft beer and their drink prices are reasonable. Good deals like $4shots with some cheesy puffs. Cool chill spot will return if I'm ever in the area.

I didn't appreciate the hostess asking me and my friend for a credit card to place an order- while we sat at a table. We won't be returning but the Meso-Thai hot dog was delicious! Now you officially have the SUPREME TOUCH!

Nice bar up in Harlem. A bit small and narrow but it more than makes up for it with the spiffy cocktail and draft beer list here, not to mention the killer backyard patio seating. Free cheesy puffs and mixed nuts. Chalk walls in the bathroom to scribble your dirtiest sayings and pictures. Movies projected on a brick wall (The Mummy last night). Happy hour deals. Specialty hot dogs. Dart board. A DJ too. Attentive service and a friendly laid back vibe. Cool decor and clean bathrooms. 80's and 90's tunes playing. The type of place the locals love, good for groups of friends to drop in, or for a nightcap after a hot date. Um, heck yeah to all of the above! What more can you ask for? I think I'll be heading up to Harlem more often. Those cheesy puffs are calling me back.

I love this place! It's got a great laid back vibe, USB plugs in the wall under the bar, hooks for your bags/coats, and a dart board in the back! Not to mention there's an outdoor area, generous pours at the bar and a friendly wait staff. Drinks are affordable, and the list of good things goes on and on. You can scribble an inappropriate message on the bathroom wall, which is actually a chalkboard. Trust me, the message writing gets to be more fun as your drunkenness progresses. And you can nibble on the free cheese balls, which I'm happy to report were only stale the first time I went, but have gotten increasingly more fresh with subsequent visiss- hooray! The drinks are great and strong, and you might just meet a friendly stranger who offers you their shots...obviously you don't turn these down! I could've done without the DJ who was there on my first visit, but loved the oldies playing before the DJ arrived (think The Gap Band, "Outstanding"). It's a really great place to meet with friends for an after work drink, or a wonderful place to challenge someone to a friendly game of darts. It was also a cool first stop on Mardory's UYE train. I'm happy Mess Hall is just across the park from my office, so that I can escape quickly on my most stressful of days. Thank you, Mess Hall, for providing this much-needed service!

Atmosphere - Lots of big table seating in the front, smaller tables in the back. There's a dart board too but it was taken at the time we were there. Lots of dark wood decorations and old paintings on the walls - very quirky/divey Menu - we didn't try any food but just stopped in for a quick drink. The cocktails were great! It seems like a solid bar that's kind of tucked away (even with the large, neon "bar" sign on the front)!

I came here with three friends on a weekday evening (of a holiday week). I was immediately struck by how narrow the space is, though people were ok with our scooting to the back. We stood by a wall-mounted table for about 15 minutes before taking over one of the few high tops in the back. So, I'm not wild about the spacing situation. The thing is, this bar is pretty awesome. Their bourbon selection is some of the best in the neighborhood, with about 25 options. They also have some unique beers for all tastes and some smashing cocktails. Check out the Coat of Arms, which includes jalapeno. (It took a long, long time to make...) They were projecting Batman on the brick wall, which made for some amusing commentary. I only wish there was a bit more space!

I give it a 3.7 lol... Chill vibes, cool aesthetic, and super chill people. Good drink specials and the dogs aren't to bad at all :-) the cheese balls are awesomeness. If you're ever in my hometown of Cincinnati, try Senate and then tell me what you think of the gourmet hotdog movement.

This place should be ashamed of itself. So much so, I actually played the game of thrones app "SHAME BELL" at the manager. Not only was I humiliated. But, as a Harlem-born native who is active in bettering my community and living in this neighborhood for over 20 years. I've witnessed gentrification first hand and now I understand why everyone is boycotting gentrification in Harlem. Please note: I have been to Mess Hall plenty of times and bring many of my friends visiting from Europe or Chelsea to a cool gay friendly spot in Harlem. In addition, I'm a great supporter of small businesses in Harlem and pretty much know most the owners on restaurant row. Yet, MESS HALL behaved as messy as the two women I walked in on doing the nasty in the bathroom (not that's there's anything wrong with that! Lol) But, after 3 trips to the restroom and no toilet paper each time I went. Here is where I had the problem...I asked a guy that work there once. Second time around I same overweight bearded guy. Instead of saying, I'm sorry we'll take care of it right away. He called me a "homophobe" which threw me off and I kinda went off on him. I was beyond insulted! Anyone who knows me knows this to be crazy. So this idiot insults me; I go off on him... he asks me to leave, I say NO. Here is where it got stupid. He goes to his manager and just tells her, "I'm being a disturbance" (I felt like it was a Larry David episode) He omits to tell her he called me a "homophobe" and all I was asking for was toilet paper. This woman decides to call the police. So all I could say while waving my game of thrones Shame bell was, "this is what gentrification looks like??!! Calling the police on the people that attend monthly police community meetings so that white businesses like this piece of crap place, Mess Hall, can call the police on patrons insisting on TOILET PAPER??!!" This evening ended up with a big bully calling a patron a homophobe simply because he didn't want to do his job and get toilet paper. Shame on management that let him. SHAME SHAME SHAME!!

I was drawn to Mess Hall for the promise of a back patio space and weekend happy hour, and I was not disappointed. The outdoor space is cool, with several tables and waiter service, and they have happy hour specials on beer, wine, well cocktails, and shots seven days a week from 4-8pm. I was drinking wine the whole time I was here, and its pretty good for a kind of divey bar. The draft beer selection is nice, but only a few count for happy hour. The only food they have is a unique selection of hot dogs with various toppings, and I definitely wasn't going to leave without trying one. I tried the Meso Thai dog and liked it quite a bit... never thought I'd want a hot dog with avocado and pepperjack cheese. I'll be back for more Saturday happy hours.