Local West

Solid Three stars and with improved management they could definitely be a four star kind of place.
The problem is they have 4 star prices and 1 star service. All drinks and most food items are the standard $ 15 Manhattan price that we have all grown to know and love.
Every single time I have been amazed and the horrible service. The girls are nice but not trained properly.
Last night after sitting at an empty table for about 10 minutes we were greets with a smiling server asking. «Hi-​Do you want something?» Well obviously we want something… Or can we bring our own drinks and food in and just stay for a bit?
We knew what we wanted because we have been there before and know that you get a server once every 40 minutes so you gotta make your time count.
We overheard one guest asking very nicely… «Is this self service?» And «If we move to another table can we get food?» Like is it allowed?
Food is always great and drinks are good… despite being sold in old cloudy plastic cups. :)

I’ve always seen this place and I always wanted to go. I came last Tuesday when it was like a million degrees outside. We went upstairs to the rooftop, it was nice. We sat at the bar and I got the Cucumber… something. But it was delicious and refreshing. The bartenders are to busy talking to each other, so I had an empty glass sitting in front of me for about 30 minutes trying to get her attention. Though, there were only about 5 people at the bar. Whatever. Overall, the place was alright, nothing spectacular going on there.

Just had the worst lunch I’ve ever had in the area. I should have been suspicious when the outside tables were empty. Ordered a salad and got a pile of slimy week old mixed greens. Waitstaff said they would bring to the attention of the manager, who never came to apologize. Lost my appetite immediately and was afraid to order another dish. Might be ok for drinks, but stay far away from the food, as it’s not fresh.

Left the place Lucy’s next door and came here instead– drinks were good– outdoors was awesome and got to see a band play. Great time, will def go back for sure!

Looking to get 100% ignored by the snotty bartender on the roof, then this is your place.

Beer selection is good. But only come here if you’re prepared to have the worst service of your life. They’ll even call the cops when you let them know their service sucks. Food is pretty repulsive as well. Def never #grammygood
Peace and blessings

Nothing special going on here, but in the summer the outdoors area is nice. They have huge mugs outside but if you head inside there is way less of a wait at the bar to grab a drink if you don’t mind normal sizes (and a better beer selection).
If there is anything going on next door, or even just a really nice day this place will be super packed. They do have waiter service at tables with standard bar fare that is neither here nor there.
A place I don’t hate going with coworkers to but wouldn’t bother going any other time.

Cool spot.rooftop.and if u come
For happy hour the prices are great. the atmosphere is cool. decent spot to watch the game. I had a good time will be back

Ate here for lunch one afternoon with some colleagues from work.
The food and service were both average — that is to say, they were decent, but nothing exceptionally great.
However, the piece de resistance of this establishment is (as many other reviewers have commented) the open-​air rooftop deck overlooking Penn Plaza, across the street from MSG. On a nice sunny day this feature can make for a rather pleasant experience, and somewhat makes up for the «just average» food.

Don’t know why people come here. They say it’s because it’s nice out and they like the outdoor seating. But the thing is there’s no seating if it’s crowded beyond its limit. Let’s say you do get a seat. Good F-​ing luck finding a waiter. They’ll pass by your table once and then it’ll be your job to hunt them down to get a check. Tip them 10% for that, they don’t deserve more. If you want to get drinks at the bar. Good F-​ing luck with that! Not only you have to fight the long lines for 3 bartenders, they charge a left nut for what they give.
Like I said before I don’t know why people come here. Sure the bartenders are eye candy but Hooters is down the block with better service and more revealing t&a without the standoff attitude. There are 3 to 4 other places in that one block radius to go to with outdoor seating and with better service. No, not better service. Bare bones service that this place can’t even provide but feel obligated for a tip. Don’t let the bartenders nice tight jeans fool you. Their poorly made drinks make them ugly beyond measure.

Great stop for a draft right outside of Penn Station. Decent beer menu and daily specials. On my visit, I was thinking of heading up to the rooftop, which looked like the happening place, but then I spied the beer garden around the corner. It was the first really beautiful Spring afternoon, bright sun and welcoming warm breeze. Within 30 minutes of grabbing a stool, the place filled to near capacity. I would have given Local 5-​stars, but sadly my advertised pint pour of $ 5 Sam Seasonal somehow rang up a $ 7. Not at all a shocking price for NYC, just not as anticipated. BTW — the seasonal (Alpine Spring) had just a nice bright touch of citrus to make it ss refreshing

I feel in between 2.5 and 3 stars because while Local West does nothing wrong to warrant 2 stars, they are so bland.
I’ve gone here twice and while it’s not bad by any means, there’s little that compels me to return. Sure the drink specials are great but the food is forgettable. Not much selection at that. I will vouch for the fries though. They came out piping hot and nicely salted.
Honestly, nothing about this bar is interesting enough to keep me from going to my regular in the area, Lucy’s. It’s the epitome of «okay». I suppose it just isn’t for me.
Oh, I will say that it was PACKED when I came in and my food and drinks came promptly. That is always a plus.

I’d make mention of the drinks or food… But after waiting over 20 minutes at a half empty bar, I wouldn’t know. The friend that the bartender was chatting with at the other end of the bar pointed at me when I was putting my jacket on, and the bartender just stared right through me.
Monday at 7 on a rainy day. 6 people at bar.
Good job. I tipped the bartender at the next bar $ 50 on 1 drink to spite you.

I love this place! They have amazing food, service and drinks!
My favorites are the buffalo chicken dip and the hamburgers– I get them all of the time.
It’s a great place to meet up with friends. And in the summer I love the outdoor beer garden.
I’ll definitely be back!

i ordered french fries here, which were delicious, but this place is a tourist magnet for hotel goers who dont know any better and people who have to wait for a train, so theyre getting drunk.
it wasnt even pleasant watching the hustle bustle of penn station from the patio bar, which, by 11 pm, was positively stacked. fat white people boozing hard, creepy rich white dudes with really beautiful, just-​legal dates. did they meet on backpage, or reality? is she her assistant? we start, watching guessing.
then we walk over the bar, squeeze past the whales in their nascar t shirts and tommy bahama button ups and spray tanned faces huffing camel blues. goddamn america, why do you have to bring your undwindulax vibes to sexcriminalboat (these are 30 rock references, for the reader who’s feeling lost).
oh my god the IPA though was one of the best iv had in a long time. golden clear sweet and best of all, clearly made with this incredibly clear mountain water. i think its from colorado. goddamn it was cold and scrumptious, i ordered two.
the bill wasnt bad either like 27 bucks for beers and fries. juddy was vibing too the spot. but this fucking place, as someone whos been coming to the city for way to long, knows this place is a fucking trap.
drunk fat old wrinkly ass tourists with their faded tshirts and deep bank accounts (or so my mom tells me.) like i would never ever bring anyone who isnt completely 300% know me here. and iv been here 4 or 5 times. that the crazy thing. i come to local because i do like to sit outside, i do like the prices, the food is shit but its not half bad, and the vibe isnt the worst.
but i was probably the only person who actually lives in new york city that was in that bar.

I think I can respond to the question posted by another user: «why are there not more people here?»
First, the service sucks. We were literarily sitting in the middle of the half empty bar with 2 bartenders and barely got any attention. I’m not talking «lets chat» attention, I’m talking about «can I place an order» attention.
Second, and I get that it’s not a restaurant, but the food sucks. Heaven forbid you actually want to eat something while you consume during their much talked about happy hour. The chicken sandwich, which was the personal recommendation of the bartender after we waited 10 minutes to place an order, was atrocious. The chicken was flat, and I’m pretty sure boiled then microwaved, was loaded onto a roll with a ton of pesto mayo. I picked at it and then munched on the generic waffle fries.
It’s a shame, cause the location is great. I assume they are just banking on the pre/​post MSG crowds to keep them in business.

I stopped by for a cocktail before my train back to B&T land. Their version of a Mojito was good, I think that they call it a Railroad Spike. It was fine; priced at $ 12. Bartender was very professional with a quick smile. Décor is nice enough — I am talking about the downstairs bar — not the rooftop. Music was something modern, pop-​rock, not too loud.
I will go back. Did not try the food. Several decent draft beers available. I should have made a list. Very good selection of bottled beers.

First question: why are there not more people here? It was 4pm on a Tuesday on a beautiful sunny day and they have A ROOFTOP BAR. there have got to be more under employed people I this city.
Impressive selection of beers. Unfortunately not on tap, just in bottles. I think there may have been a beer garden downstairs that had more on tap, but I’m just speaking for the Roof top bar. But, they were out of a bunch of stuff, so then less impressive selection.
The food tasted like food. Not particularly large quantities.
Nice staff, mellow ambiance, we hung out for like 2 hours no problem.
Great view of Madison square garden and sunny outdoor seating.

Local West
NY Manhattan MSG
6pm Saturday 10^th October 2015
Three Stars
On a surprisingly nice October afternoon, we sat on the rooftop of the Local. We found a table for four in the midst of the sea of ranger jerseys. It’s the first home game of the season. I had 2 yeunglings ($ 7 Each). We partook in 4 rounds of Picklebacks ($ 9 Each). I also had the classic Burger ($ 12) + crinkle cut fries ($ 2). The brioche bun was fluffy. The burger was well done but juicy. The cheddar cheese was melted. The bacon was crispy. There was shredded lettuce, tomato, raw onions, and crispy onions. It was quite enjoyable. The service was better than expected. Overall it was good place to grab a bite, drink too much and watch some college football.

Around 7pm I met up with a friend here. You walk in and seat yourself downstairs (inside) or upstairs on the rooftop. We choose the rooftop since the weather was beautiful. The VIEW IS BEAUTIFUL. The waiters were very attentive and friendly, I had a classic burger with fries which tasted good and a Roof top dream. Very good drink! The music is a tad bit too loud but it’s a great place to unwind after work.