12th Street Ale House

This place was an absolute trainwreck. We came in for a quiet night, got drinks, and sat at a booth to chat. Less than an hour later, the bartender storms over like we’ve committed a crime, glares at us, and leaves without a word. Then she comes back and snaps—telling us we need to leave if we’re not ordering more. No polite request, no explanation—just straight-up hostility. We told her we had drinks, and she hit us with a snarky, “That was hours ago!” (It wasn’t. It was less than one hour.) Then she drops, “This isn’t a cafe, guys.” Excuse me? The bar was half empty, we were quiet, not causing trouble, and they weren’t closing for two more hours. It felt personal, like we didn’t “fit” the vibe—maybe because we were a group of non-white women in a bar of mostly white men? Honestly, I’m still fuming. Absolutely insane behavior from staff, and I wouldn’t come back if they paid me.

Hopped in with a friend and we asked the bartender to make some awesome drinks with rum. To surprise us and he definitely did! The drinks were perfect and the place has a great vibe. Ask for a Rum old fashion with a little of habanero bitters, you wont regret it!

Worst bar ever. Truly. Walked in and initially felt somewhat at home, especially as someone who bartends in a similar environment . After working a 10+ hour bartender gig down the block looking for a nightcap, not to mention in distress and grieving the loss of a dear friend in the process, the bartender was absolutely ABYSMAL. I overtipped in good faith at 3:30AM and he couldn’t wait to kick me out at 3:50. AVOID this whack bar. 👎🏻

I just stopped in for a drink and a beer, so I cant rate the food. This place has a cool down to earth vibe. I love the mural outside and the artwork inside. The prices on drinks and beers are very good. The service is quick and straightforward.

If I could give zero stars, I would. My friends and I went to this bar expecting a nice, relaxed evening, but what we got instead was outright hostility and unprofessionalism.The waitress forgot our order, ignored us even though the bar was empty, and took forever to pour three beers. Worse, she kept glaring at us and kicked us out for no reason—two hours before closing!This place doesn’t deserve anyone’s business. There are plenty of better bars in the area—save yourself the trouble and go somewhere else.

Smokers onlyDecent prices but the bartenders will smoke as close to you as possible if you sit outside and will let the smoke go inside the bar and be passive aggressive.

Went in here two separate nights, very clean, cool jukebox, I liked the bartender but the bouncer on the weekend is crazy literally tried to fight us cuz he was around the corner and didnt get to check our IDs

Good spot to grab a drink in the area with solid happy hour pricing.

Cool place for beer and bourbon. They have some unique bourbons at good prices. Check out the George Dickel 8 year for $11!!! Closer to a dive bar than a Gramercy Tavern.Go for Happy hour!Update June 2023: I still love this place and find great values in the bourbons at the bar, especially during happy hour. Had a really tasty glass of makers Mark neat for around $9 or $10 during happy hour. There was also a good pilsner that the bartender recommended. He told me that they no longer carry the Dickel 8 year, which was a little disappointing. But they have so many other good options its not a big deal.

One of my favorite bars in the neighborhood. Fair prices, lots of space, and friendly staff. Great spot if youre looking for a chill night with friends. The jukebox is also A+.

Perfect local neighborhood bar. Low key with a stacked jukebox!

This place looked cute and I have walked by it a million times. I was over at the thrift store across the street earlier and figured I would see their beer list and menu. The bartender ignored me so I went to the bathroom to wash my hands. When I walked out and looked to see what kind of food they served, the girl working there finally acknowledged me as I was walking out. She yelled at me for using the bathroom. I might go back another time if someone less concerned with flirting with the men is working that shift as well as friendlier.

Even for NYC, the bartender with the mullet was one of the most insufferably rude and incompetent people I’ve met. Nice bar though.

There is really nothing special about this bar. It is not super cheap but it is not expensive as fancy lounges or bars either. The place is popular among locals.It seems like a great place to pre-game before you head to other more happening nightlife venues.

Friendly staff and bouncer. Cool atmosphere. We didnt know why we hadnt come back here sooner.

Really enjoyed the KCBC beer they had

This corner bar is an interesting spot to get drunk after work or just end up at during your bar crawl through EV. Cheap drinks and amazing staff!

Came here for a drink before a movie. Loved it so much that we came back afterwards for another. Just a great, straightforward spot with very friendly bartenders.

This is the third time I’ve been here over the course of a number of years. Service and prices are great. If I lived close this would be my neighborhood bar.

Great place to stop for a quick drink.

Good spot to sit down and have a beer. It is cash only.

Drinks were alright, but the demand for a tip was way too exaggerated. Plus, they also skipped my songs I put on queue so 🖕🏼

Great dive bar feel, with very friendly staff and service! A gem in the diminishing East village / Alphabet city old school scene.

One of the best low key bars in the area. Great rotating selection of craft beer and well made cocktails. Very no frills, which I happen to enjoy. Have never had an issue here and always happy to come back. Staff is highly knowledgeable and capable of making insightful suggestions. Highly recommend checking out if you are looking for a new haunt or just passing by for a quick one.

Honest to G*d... Best bar in town. 👍

So much fun!!! Look at all the fun I’m having here with my beers and drinks!!! I love New York! East village. Go Yankees.

Dive energy but a little more put together. Solid place to grab a couple of beers

The best bar in the East Village!Excellent beer selections and super friendly staff!

Seemed like a pretty solid place. It was really busy when we visited. There werent any open seats so we chugged down a vodka drink and bounced. I would return sometime. Its in a convenient location for walking between Greenwich and the East Village.

Wildly friendly staff and the exact vibe of a laidback bar I was looking for.

For NYC, a very low-key and chill bar. Great Manhattans, but they had better be, right? $45 for a round of 3 cocktails and a beer, cant ask for better value.

Good beers, good music, chill vibes

Just a good spit to have a few pints.

If you’re a 49ers fan, this is your bar during football season. Otherwise, it’s a pretty non-descript laid-back Irish pub.

Good selection of craft beers on tap from around the city, reasonably priced.

Please fire the bouncer, he physically assaulted someone last night.

Wandered in here because it looked nice a cool sorta divey place which I like. Asked whats good thats local? since I was visiting from the west coast. Bartender had some good recommendations. Good music on the jukebox, chill vibes. Would 100% come back whenever Im in NYC again.

A well done, not trash dive bar

James is the best bartender in all of new your city.

Good beer selection. Nice happy hour deal.

Clean place with cheap drinks, especially for the area! What else can you ask for. No food but tons of places in the area.

Lowkey spot in a busy area with a good happy hour. Had a good bartender who didnt mind me being chatty, and found that the place attracts good patrons. Good place to kill a few hours.

Empty on a late Saturday night. Strong drinks tho!

Chill place with good happy hour deals. Old school bar inside with little frills.

Nice laid back dive with cheap happy hour specials. What more do you need?

No complaints with 12 taps to choose from! 6 pm and its already lively.

Bartenders know how to pour a drink. Its cash only but completely worth it.

$5 happy hour pints in NYC with a super chill friendly bartender, relaxed atmosphere, and great playlist. What’s not to love?

The bouncer is physically violent and does not know how to manage his emotions. He needs help before he seriously hurts someone.

Its a chill bar where you can even find a place to sit or stand on most weekend nights.

Awesome Craft Beer. A must visit venue. Stop by & say hello to Johnny L. The Bartender & Manager. Cheers 🍺🍺🍺.

Nice vibe good service ☺️✌️

Very laid back bar with good deals on drafts.

Nice spot for a quick drink. Good service.

Melissa is such a rad bartender! I love this place.

Had a good time here. Drinks were good. Jukebox was good. No one shot me...how can I complain?

No frills, but friendly staff and good amounts of room.

Great spot, good selection of spirits. Say hi to Pete the tender. A great man from the land of Oz

I don’t write many bad reviews but the experience I had last night was extremely uncomfortable and unprofessional. I was in a booth with friends and went to the bar to get shots and three drinks. I took the shots and drinks back to the table myself (no extra service involved). I tipped over 10% on the check as I believe to be customary at a bar (I was 100% going to keep tipping on every drink I got after as well). The bartender came over to the booth I was in and shoved the receipt in my face asking if there was something wrong with the service. When I attempted to clarify if she wanted more money she said “well this is barely 10%” and stood there until I very uncomfortably added to the tip so as to minimize a conflict. I ended up tipping 30 or 40% on the check, even though the service was completely unprofessional and uncomfortable.

I stumbled upon this place Christmas eve because it seemed every bar in the east village was closed. It was a blessing in disguise. Very reasonably priced beer, friendly staff and an awesome jukebox that has actual CDs that get changed out periodically. I will definitely be back!

Nice service. Great late night bar

Small place, bartender was very friendly and ontop of our drinks. Has around 2 picnic tables outside nice to chill and have some drinks with friends and enjoy the weather, or great to sit inside and enjoy a game.

4/4 Monday night 7pm. Coldest beer. Super nice bartender who’s name I didn’t get but will 100% be back

Very American, old bar, attentive bartender, great selection of albums in the music box 😁

Friendly bartender - great selection of drinks. Outside seating +++

Standard fare pub. A good escape from the craziness of the East village

A friend and I decided to stop here on our way to another bar. I got a drink, she got a cidar. Not much to report. Simple, clean, easily accessible. Very much a corner bar. Decent prices and my drink was delicious. Cant really beat that.

Not nice. Washed vibes. Pass. Next

Great beer selection. Our bartender was pretty chill and welcoming

Nice relaxing spot to have a few beers. Its bigger than it looks!

Great Ale House - Great outdoor seating too and friendly people!

Great little pub and had a lot of IPAs

Great quiet neighborhood bar. Perfect for when you just want to have a drink of chill with friends without the large crowds that are common in the East Village. They also let you bring in food so... theres that.

When my buddy told me he was having his birthday party in an east village dive bar, I thought I was going to be miserable. But, at 12th Street Ale House, once your olfactory nerves desensitize to the nasty old beer smell, you can have a real good time.This is especially true if you arrive before 8pm and stock up on drinks, as their draft beers go for a mere $3.50. I read this in previous reviews and was incredulous, but shortly after arriving I was sipping down a draft craft beer and still had a lot of cash in my pocket.Later in the night it became more crowded, but not overwhelmingly so, and throughout it all, the bartender was quick and friendly.

Great local bar with a great happy hour and even better staff!

Its still a dive bar- there are new owners- but its cleaner, and the tap selection has improved. Cant complain.

Amazing place for drinks, music and fun.

Cool lil hideaway bar. We were mostly outside.

Good selection of beers for decent price. Music might be a bit loud.

Chill place for an afternoon drink.

Cheap drinks during happy hour. Nice pours too.

Great happy hour. Great bartenders. No BS.

Great little dive bar to hang out in and slam beers with friends!

Nothing special to write about this place. Stopped here the other day while doing bar hopping. The had decent beer selection.

Good place

Great bar with a great vibe and inexpensive drinks

Great dive bar with happy hour till 8pm on Mondays.

Best happy hour - EVER and a fun and friendly staff. Love this place!

Nice dive bar with friendly service

Love it

Regular local bar. Quite a bit of seating in the back.

As divey as it gets. No frills.

Low key. Good drinks. Working jukebox.

Great happy hour, friendly bartenders, cool little bar.

Relaxing place for a drink. Note, food is byo.

Nice Rock & Roll dive bar

Cheap, dive bar but its cash only.

Its a bar, bathroom is a little weird.

Nice dive bar, friendly bar tenders

Bartender with the blonde hair is great

Good local hangout in the East Village.

Good bartender

Very chill, hospitable, down to earth

This is my favorite bar for a weekday drink after work.

Classic. Excellent happy hour.

Great service, could be busier.

Cash only is annoying but chill place to get drinks with friends.

Simply put great

Good happy hour, not always the best beer quality but a welcome respite from the maddening crowds of a weekend night in the EV. Somehow theres always a table free.

Great potential!

Great place for a drink.

I enjoied the food.

GREAT, LOCAL SPOT, Laid back.

Incredibly rude. Never again.

Close to my Bros place

Dive bar that does the trick

Worst staff

Awesome local dive

Melissa rocks!

Hung up the phone on me.

Great watering hole

OK place

Cash only

Very good service

Its cash only

Its alright

Nice place

Niceeee!!!$$$

Nice place, good service, good beers.

Very good atmosphere and beer (Bells, you can ring my beeeells), Mike (probably not real name) very nice, long live the Lakers and long live Messi

Fratastic