212 East

Inside 212 East

212 East is a lively Asian fusion restaurant and tapas bar nestled in the heart of the East Village, making it a go-to spot for locals and visitors seeking a casual yet energetic dining and drinking experience. The atmosphere strikes a balance between upbeat and approachable, with a DJ spinning tunes that keep the energy buzzing without overwhelming conversation. This makes it suitable for groups of friends looking for a night out, casual date nights, or anyone eager to enjoy flavorful food with a vibrant vibe.

The menu offers a range of Asian-inspired dishes alongside bar favorites—think kimchi fried rice, miso soup, ramen noodles, chicken dumpling soup, and crowd-pleasers like fried calamari and buffalo wings. Portions lean toward shareable tapas-style plates, which pairs well with their drinks menu. Cocktails here are notably strong and affordable, with popular picks including peach mojitos, passion fruit margaritas, and red sangria that help keep the mood light and the wallet happy. Drink prices make it an appealing spot for early evening happy hour or late-night casual drinks.

On busy weekend nights, expect a lively crowd and fairly quick table turnover, with seating often limited to under an hour, and lines beginning to form by late evening. Despite the bustle, the staff maintain a friendly and attentive presence, remembering repeat customers and contributing to the welcoming, hometown bar feel. While the food might not be the centerpiece of a fine dining experience, it’s fresh, flavorful, and presented with care—perfect to accompany drinks and good company.

If you’re looking for a place to kick off an evening with robust cocktails and good music, 212 East delivers without pretense. Its East Village location adds to the appeal, blending effortlessly into the neighborhood’s energetic bar scene while holding its own as a neighborhood spot that locals return to for nights that are fun and flavor-forward without breaking the bank.

Highlights & Local Essentials

Highlights

Has fast service

Serves great cocktails

Popular for

Popular for lunch

Popular for dinner

What they serve

Serves alcohol

Serves beer

Serves cocktails

Serves comfort food

Serves happy-hour drinks

Serves happy-hour food

Serves late-night food

Quick bite

Serves small plates

Serves spirits

Serves wine

Best for

Serves lunch

Serves dinner

Serves dessert

Accessibility

Has wheelchair-accessible entrance

Has wheelchair-accessible seating

Has wheelchair-accessible toilet

No wheelchair-accessible car park

Local Moments in Photos

Find It on the Map

Openings Hours

Checking

Monday

04:00 PM - 11:00 PM

Tuesday

04:30 PM - 11:30 PM

Wednesday

04:30 PM - 11:30 PM

Thursday

04:30 PM - 11:30 PM

Friday

04:00 PM - 01:00 AM

Saturday

04:00 PM - 01:00 AM

Sunday

04:00 PM - 11:00 PM

What Locals & Travelers Say

867 Reviews

Valeria Escrich

28 Dec 2025

One of the best spots in NYC to get drinks for super cheap. The drinks are strong. I’ll be honest, they’re not the best-tasting and the food isn’t amazing, but it gets the job done. On Fridays and Saturdays you usually only get a one-hour limit for your table, and sometimes there’s a line because it gets packed. The staff is incredibly friendly and welcoming, and they actually remember you if you go often. Mike, the bouncer/security, always looked out for my friends and me, and we loved him for that. Overall, it’s an excellent place to go out and have drinks on a budget. Just a heads-up: the bill already includes an 18% gratuity, so it might surprise you the first time.

Cass

28 Nov 2025

The drinks are well priced and strong. The Moscow mule was $8 and got me properly tipsy. They also have flavoured mojitos or all sorts of basic/flavoured cocktails for $8. The music is solid. The tables only last 45 mins when they’re busy. By 10:30pm on a Saturday in March there was a 30 minute line.

hessica jo

29 Oct 2025

I just want to say, this bar excels at everything: their VERY AFFORDABLE drinks, their food (especially the miso soup!), the atmosphere, but most of all, their staff! The people here are so kind, and you can definitely feel how much they care about their customers. This is a go-to place for me now on!

Isabella Grandic

21 Sep 2025

This place is AWESOME. Happy hour or not, the drinks are cheap, delicious, and strong. The DJ was KILLING IT Saturday night. It is actually so FUN!!! The music is a vibe, but it’s not too loud. You can still have a convo I adored this spot. Good munchies and food appetizers. Right in the east village. Perfect perfect spot to spend time with friends. Lunches mojito was bomb

Elisabeth Ivanov

13 Sep 2025

212 East is such a great spot! The food is fresh, flavorful, and beautifully presented — every dish feels creative and well-balanced. The cocktails are excellent, and the service is friendly and attentive without being over the top. The vibe is chic but comfortable, perfect for a date night or dinner with friends. Definitely one of those places you’ll want to come back to again and again.

Inside 212 East

Highlights & Local Essentials

Local Moments in Photos

Find It on the Map

Openings Hours

What Locals & Travelers Say

867 Reviews

More Local Spots to Explore

Coffee Corner Cafe

Nu Vybz Cafe

Los Cuates Supermercado

Tastebuds Cafe - SK S7H 1Y1

Rockin' Baja Lobster - Old Town

Join the 212 East Newsletter