The Polo Bar

Great ambiance, the special of the day was delicious and Margie our waitress was very attentive. Will come again

I waited 2 hours on the phone to score a Resy here and honestly, I would do it again.

The atmosphere and ambience here is sexy, exclusive, chic, romantic and warm. This has the perfect fall/winter vibe. The moment you walk past the bouncers- yes there are bouncers at this restaurant- you feel immersed in luxury. I saw someone mention this felt like a social club in the early 1900s and that is EXACTLY what this felt like.

The service was outstanding, even at the bar. (Where we were able to be sat.)

The food surprised me. I'm not going to lie, I wasn't expecting much but I was pretty blown away by the experience. Everything from the bar nuts to the burger were delicious.

The bar comes with 3 snackies, truffle chips, nuts and fried olives. Everything was addictingly good for a random bar snack. I would buy those nuts in a heartbeat if they bagged them and sold them in stores.

We got an espresso martini and an old fashioned. The old fashioned was solid but the espresso martini was probably the best espresso martini I've ever had. It was the perfect amount of bitter, creamy and rich.

We split the shrimp cocktail based on the bartender's recommendation. He said they were the biggest shrimp he's seen and he wasn't lying- the shrimp was MASSIVE and absolutely, totally delicious. Highly recommend getting this to split if coming here.

We also split the Caesar salad. Even this was incredible for just a basic salad. Each leaf felt like it was dressed just perfectly and the croutons were fatty and scrumptious. They even split these and brought these on two plates and made sure we both got the same amount of croutons- just amazing little touches like this that I loved about this place.

Lastly, we split the burger which, again- I was shocked how good this was. It is on my top burgers list of NYC and was cooked perfectly.

The only thing that was just ok was the dessert. We went with the Polo Bar brownie. It was a nice sweet treat to round out the meal but this could have been slightly richer both in texture and flavor.

Top to bottom this place was awesome and I'm so glad I got to experience it. Hopefully I can snag another resy in the near future.

4.8/5

The swankiest, the suavest, the classiest bar in nyc (at least that I have been to). Go for the cool, old school social club vibes and stay for the fried olives and big martinis.

We arrived for our 5:00 dinner reservation (you 100000% need a res here) and went through what felt like multiple rounds of security. They check for a res out the door then again inside, but the minute you walk in you feel like a high roller. I was the first one of my group, so they showed me to the little outcove side room where my friends and I had our first round of drinks. You feel like you are in an actual Ralph Lauren catalogue, in obv the very best way.

When our table was ready we made our way downstairs but I actually loveeee that we got some time in that little space. It felt very old nyc.

For food we started with the pastrami sandwich cut up which would be a great entree but made for a perfect app. We also got a shrimp cocktail (4 giant shrimp for 4 hungry gals). The burger made for a good entree and we all split the coconut cake for dessert. Incredibly full and a little tipsy on one strong martini, we had a great night.

Would recommend:
-Going for the really incredible space & vibes. It is for the swanky special occasion for sure, if not for the price than for how difficult it is to get a reservation.
-Trying your best to grab a drink at the bar or somewhere upstairs. Slows down the night anddddd you get to savor those fried olives.
-The coconut cake! So good. And that lemon sorbet that comes on the side will haunt my dreams for a long time.
-The drinks. I loved my Ralph's Club martini and I am not a martini girl usually.

The food was honestly just okay. I love a good burger but I've had better. For the price of everything, I don't think I'd return anytime soon. They also rushed us out when we were already signing the bill.

If you are trying your best to get a res here, I've heard that it just takes a bit of persistence on the phone. Thanks for a wonderful celebratory dinner, Polo Bar!

Expectations Unmet, Yet Culinary Excellence Prevails

Venturing into The Polo Bar was an adventure two months in the making, but what ensued was a rollercoaster of highs and lows that left my friend and me with mixed feelings.

Upon arrival for our 10 pm reservation, we found the place buzzing with activity, even on a Tuesday night. The energy was palpable, but unfortunately, finding a spot at the bar proved challenging amidst the crowded space. Despite our excitement, our attempt to capture the moment with photos was met with unwelcome scrutiny from a staff member, dampening our initial enthusiasm. It was disheartening to feel targeted for simply wanting to preserve our memories.

However, we persevered and managed to enjoy some delightful treats at the bar, including warm roasted olives that tantalized our taste buds. My Polo Punch drink was satisfying, though my friend's Pinot Grigio was a safe bet. Yet, the discomfort lingered as the same staff member seemed to shadow our every move, creating an uneasy atmosphere.

Moving to our table, we eagerly sampled the menu, finding hits and misses among the offerings. The pigs in a blanket were passable, but the corned beef sandwich was a revelation, with melt-in-your-mouth perfection. The Caesar salad struck the right balance of flavors, though the accompanying polo burger failed to impress, especially with lackluster fries.

Dessert, however, was a redemption. The brownie with vanilla ice cream was a heavenly finale to our meal, leaving us with satisfied smiles. Our initial server, Nikki, was a gem, embodying warmth and attentiveness. However, a shift in service left much to be desired, with a new waiter failing to match Nikki's standard, even drawing complaints from other patrons.

I was left wondering if our late reservation played a role in the staff's evident fatigue, but for a venue renowned for its exclusivity, I anticipated consistent service and attention regardless of the hour. It was also apparent that The Polo Bar caters to a specific clientele, and as the only person of color among the guests, I couldn't help but feel a tad uncomfortable. Despite these observations, the quality of the cuisine alone would warrant a return visit, although perhaps not with great haste.

Overall, our experience at The Polo Bar was a mixed bag. While the food had its moments of brilliance and service started strong, inconsistencies and discomfort tarnished the overall impression. While I may return for certain dishes, I can't help but feel that there are other establishments in the city that offer a more consistent and polished dining experience.

A beautiful time was had at the polo bar. We arrived to our reservation 30 mins prior to our time. Your name is taken at the door to make sure you have a reservation before you even enter.

Our group of four sat at the bar and had a beautiful cocktail first. About 25 later we requested to go to our table. The hostess said someone would bring out drinks to our table. We were lead down the beautiful staircase to our seat.

I heard this place was a celebrity hot spot and that was definitely true on this night.

The decor was gorgeous and the service five star. We didn't want for anything. Someone was always there to get anything we requested, clear our table and give us new plates and utensils.

The food was sooooo good. They have the warm popovers which I love!!! I had the branzino , Caesar salad and crab cake and then finished it all off with chocolate and vanilla ice w chocolate syrup. My friends had steak and coconut cake.

The reservation was not easy to get but it is doable. You just have to exercise extreme patience.

I waited an hour to get a reservation. One month ahead. The food was excellent, ambience was great, very Ralph Lauren. Birthday celebration and I enjoyed every minute.

The Polo Bar has that Ralph Lauren polo/country club/ 1920 aesthetic, similar to their clothing stores. The waiter said there are 437 paintings of horses in the restaurant. The decor, details and finishes were excellent.

The place was bustling on a Saturday night, with a trendy crowd. This is to be expected given how it's nearly impossible to snag a reservation. I saw several A-list celebrities.

The food was good. They do American bar food well, but the food is not extraordinary. The burger was good. The pastrami reuben was good. The bread and butter was above average. The price for the food was not outrageous and I think aligned to the quality.

The drinks were really good. The upstairs bar is fantastic, arrive an hour early and have a drink at the bar. Bring your wallet. The martini came with a side car complete with caviar and oyster and garnishes ($90 cocktail with Monkey 47 gin).

Overall a great experience.

10/10 the classiest classic New York restaurant I've ever been to. I will say getting a reservation is hard because they're booked but try calling, their service is impeccable and they find a way to make it work.

I came here for my dad's birthday as a special treat to him. We had to get the burger and it was amazing as expected. I will say their fish specials are a sleeper so definitely ask your waiter. Lastly, get the dessert. The cake is luscious, fluffy, sweet, and a dream.

I'll be returning probably next month!

I loved that going to the Polo Bar gave me an excuse to dress up (there is a smart casual dress code that you must adhere to in order to enter). Despite the dress code, the overall vibes inside were elegant yet cozy.

I called right at 10am on the day reservations opened (30 days out), and was on hold for 50 minutes. So if you call in and are on hold, don't give up! The only reservation time left was 5pm but my mom and I were looking for an earlier dinner reservation anyways so it worked out.

We were seated promptly at our reservation time and ordered drinks and food. Our waitress Molly helped me navigate the menu through a gluten and dairy free lens because the menu itself wasn't labeled with allergens. Much of what I hoped to order was off limits but she had fantastic recommendations for alternatives. We ordered the cauliflower to start and it was INCREDIBLE (the cauliflower itself was great but the mushrooms and salad that came on top was next level). I was also so excited that they brought gluten free bread tableside for me to enjoy. My mom and I decided to split our entrees so we got to enjoy pieces of the steak and salmon. The steak was some of the best I've ever had and the salmon was also good.

While I know Polo Bar has a reputation for being pricey, there are options on the menu that are a little closer to typical manhattan prices, like the burger. I recommend reviewing the menu before you go, assessing your budget with your party and discussing what you might be able to share. I can't recommend The Polo Bar enough. It is such a special place, and lived up to all the hype! FIVE STARS AND MORE!

Insider tip: If you don't get the reservation time you want, you can go before or after your reservation time and sit by the upstairs bar and order drinks so you can enjoy the space for longer!

Not that this establishment really needs a review but definitely worth a visit! The bar upstairs is beautifully lit - the little polo mallet is such a cute touch. The bartenders and hosts are very polite and honestly waiting a little at the bar is kind of nice before heading to your table.

We got the tuna carpaccio, the steak, the burger and the corned beef sandwich - all delicious but especially the carpaccio and the corned beef sandwich! I haven't had corned beef often prior but WOW. Packed with tender and flavorful beef in every mouthful, that sandwich will likely put any corned beef sandwich I try in the future to shame.

Overall, you're here for the experience. There's regulars that look like regulars and parties celebrating an occasion, and just generally ~a vibe~.

The most memorable restaurant we went to on our NYC trip! Truly enjoyed the experience from the moment we checked in.

We sat in the cocktail bar area while waiting for our table. We arrived 30 minutes early, which seemed to be perfect time to allow us to enjoy the bar snacks and some cocktails. Ordered the Caribou Club (absolutely amazing) and a glass of sparkling wine. We got mixed nuts, olives, and homemade kettle chips as snacks, and they were so tasty. My only regret was eating so much of these snacks that it filled me up too much!

The upstairs area is definitely quieter than the downstairs dining area. It was crowded with so many people! The service was excellent. The ambiance is great. Only semi-annoying thing was getting sat at a table directly next to a really loud group. We couldn't hear our own conversation until they left.

We started off with the Pigs in a Blanket appetizer. My husband loved them. I thought they were tasty, but not my favorite. The bread was outstanding - it was like a cheesy croissant/bread roll. I wish I could have more! We also split the Chopped Vegetable Salad, which was so tasty. My husband and I each got the special for dinner, which was the Ahi Tuna Burger. It was out of this world!! I wish I could have a taste of it again. The fish was so fresh and tender, the burger so flavorful, the fries so fresh.

For dessert, we got the Salted Caramel Ice Cream Sundae and the Berry Cobbler special. Absolutely delicious way to end such a fun evening!