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Bar Contra, New York, NY
Award-winning

Bar Contra

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Visa Dining Collection

4.6
4.6
285 Reviews
$30 and under
American
138 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002

Make a reservation

2 people
SunMonTueWedThuFriSat
7:00 PM
Booked 22 times today

About this restaurant

  • Great for creative cocktails
  • Hot spot
  • Neighborhood gem
A New York cocktail bar founded by Dave Arnold, Fabian von Hauske & Jeremiah Stone. We specialize in delicious drinks and tasty food.

Your reservation will grant you 90 minutes in one of our tables.

Additional information

  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Cocktail Bar, Contemporary American
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 5:30 pm–12:00 am
  • Phone number
    (212) 466-4633
  • Website
    http://www.barcontra.com/
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Executive chef
    Jeremiah, Fabian & Dave
  • Catering
    Bar Contra accepts parties of up to 4 guests in the dining room. Alternatively, you may book the entire dining room for a private event for parties of 10 to 35. For private event inquiries, you may email Bar Contra directly - info@barcontra.com
  • Location
    138 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002
  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN 1 Star 2022
  • Neighborhood
    Lower East Side
  • Cross street
    Between Delancy and Rivington
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    JMZ or F to Delancey St - Essex St. Alternatively B/D to Grand St.
  • Additional
    Bar Dining, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine

Menu

Bar Contra's menu was last updated 2022-02-02.

View menu on restaurant's website

What 285 people are saying

Bar Contra reviews from people who’ve dined at this restaurant. Based on recent rating.

Overall ratings and reviews

Reviews can only be made by diners who have eaten at this restaurant

4.6
4.6 based on recent ratings
  • 4.5Food
  • 4.5Service
  • 4.6Ambience
  • 4.2Value

Noise • Moderate

Review summary

AI-generated from verified diner reviews
Bar Contra offers an exceptional dining experience with "incredible cocktails" and "amazing service." Guests rave about the "10/10 food and drinks" and the creative, "amazingly creative cocktails and bites." Although some find prices steep, the "friendly staff" and "impeccable vibes" make it a must-visit spot for a memorable night out.
285 Reviews

  1. Amanda

    Washington DC2 reviews

    5.0

    Dined 6 days ago

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    We had an absolutely amazing experience at bar contra. The food and drinks are 10/10. Unfortunately I can’t remember our waiter’s name but he was phenomenal.

    Is this helpful?

  2. sarah-flynn VIP

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on April 12, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    If I was on death row.. this would be my last meal of choice.

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  3. Rachael

    New York City9 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 11, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Delicious snacks and cocktails less wine than before. loved the n/a options, including the tomato cranberry drink!

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  4. joseph VIP

    New York City34 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on April 3, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    when guests come to town for a sample of nyc life, we come here. or wildair. or both. food is life changing. so are the drinks. staff friendly, hospitable and accommodating. we also come here regularly without guests. a great night out anytime

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  5. OpenTable Diner VIP

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 22, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    A fantastic cocktail bar with very inventive recipes, amazing service and LES spirit. Definitely try some of their stone fruit infused drinks, the salt air which comes with a modelito sidecar, and the scallops are amazing

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  6. OpenTable Diner

    New York City1 review

    5.0

    Dined on March 20, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Incredible service. So friendly and helpful. Great vibes. Can’t wait to come back.

    Is this helpful?

  7. Josef

    Atlanta4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 19, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Top of the line cocktail bar. The things done here are some of the most consistent and considerate culinary experiences

    Is this helpful?

  8. Kevin

    New York City19 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 13, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Extremely unique drinks and impeccable vibes here!

    Is this helpful?

  9. John

    New York City4 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 9, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    Most well-rounded cocktail menu in the city and the people are fantastic!

    Is this helpful?

  10. Kristin VIP

    Seattle13 reviews

    5.0

    Dined on March 8, 2025

    1. Overall 5
    2. Food 5
    3. Service 5
    4. Ambience 5
    First time to Bar Contra and it was incredible. We love a bar program where everything is dialed in and offers some surprises-this did it and then some. Food was excellent and the service from Theo and crew was genuine and friendly. We will be back.

    Is this helpful?

FAQs

Bar Contra is rated 4.6 stars by 285 OpenTable diners.

Yes, you can generally book this restaurant by choosing the date, time and party size on OpenTable.

  1. Home
  2. United States
  3. New York City
  4. Manhattan
  5. Lower East Side

Make a reservation

Booked 22 times today
Google Map for Bar Contra

138 Orchard Street, New York, NY 10002

Additional information

  • Award-winning
    1. MICHELIN 1 Star 2022
  • Cross street
    Between Delancy and Rivington
  • Neighborhood
    Lower East Side
  • Hours of operation
    Tue–Sat 5:30 pm–12:00 am
  • Price
    $30 and under
  • Cuisines
    American, Cocktail Bar, Contemporary American
  • Dining style
    Casual Dining
  • Dress code
    Casual Dress
  • Parking details
    None
  • Public transit
    JMZ or F to Delancey St - Essex St. Alternatively B/D to Grand St.
  • Payment options
    AMEX, Discover, Mastercard, Visa
  • Executive chef
    Jeremiah, Fabian & Dave
  • Additional
    Bar Dining, Beer, Cocktails, Corkage Fee, Farm to Table, Full Bar, Non-Smoking, Wheelchair Access, Wine
  • Website
    http://www.barcontra.com/
  • Phone number
    (212) 466-4633
  • Catering
    Bar Contra accepts parties of up to 4 guests in the dining room. Alternatively, you may book the entire dining room for a private event for parties of 10 to 35. For private event inquiries, you may email Bar Contra directly - info@barcontra.com
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