Session 73

A typical-​looking bar but has some weird rules. We went in about 10pm and were told we could sit outside. We got our drinks and went outside, then were told we couldn’t drink outside. Who would want to sit outside without their drinks? Then we went to the back room and were told we had to leave until the DJ arrived. Found a spot at the bar and camped out there. 2-​stars for the outrageous drink prices. $ 7 for a bud /​miller light? Bottle or not that’s crazy. Asked for a shot of absolut… $ 10, what? Save some money and have fun at one of the other 4 million bars around.

It’s a decently furnished place, but the ambiance is a little too drab for my liking. The food was average, but reliable I suppose. They serve your typical American fare: nachos, burgers, etc. I ordered the nachos with chicken, and there were way too many chips and less of the meat and toppings. I wouldn’t seek out this place again.

This place is the perfect combination of food, drinks and entertainment. They have live music every night and the bands are great. The best part though has to be the food. I’m not sure what the chef is doing back there, but you can tell this place takes their food VERY seriously. It’s traditional american fair, but everything is souped up 3 or 4 notches. I used to go here for the entertainment, the great vibes, and the ambiance. NOW, I go for the food first and everything else is just a huge plus. I highly recommend this place you can not go wrong whether you’re just going for a fun dinner, a night out or both.

I came in for my first Salsa Monday yesterday. I had been wanting to come for a while now. I heard they had a live band and all. I walk in and the space was great. The instructor was awesome.
The music however was really bad.
There was no band which would of been okay if they spun a great salsa playlist but I don’t even think they had a DJ. They were playing some sort of wired sudo salsa fusion songs that had hints with reggaeton and cumbia. It was so narly to dance to, not true salsa.
After class was over, we danced a few songs and waited around for maybe 30 minutes hoping the music would get better but it didn’t. We just walked out.
Had been hoping for an awesome eve of dancing. I didn’t even get a chance to settle to enjoy a drink nor their $ 2 tacos because I wasn’t convinced I wanted to stick around.

Food is not too great. Service was really attentive and they were super nice. Just not anything to write home about. We missed the live music so I’m sure it’s much better then, however it’s not a great place to grab dinner, just mediocre food.

I came on a Saturday night for my friend’s birthday and had a BLAST! I arrived a little after 11pm and there was no cover charge. Even though the bar is pretty large with 2 different bar/​music areas, it was packed with people and difficult to maneuver. However, the music and vibes made dealing with the crowds worthwhile.
I can’t tell you how awesome the music was… it was one hit after the other! The DJ in the back room played awesome 90’s throwbacks and ‘00s pop hits. Me and my friends belted out every lyric and didn’t stop dancing the entire night. When we wanted a little break from the back, a live cover band played in the front area. They were really talented with great voices singing some more hits that we enjoyed.
Considering the bar was packed, the bartenders attended to me quickly and were friendly, which was greatly appreciated. Definitely will hit Session 73 again soon!

I visited this place for a meet up on a Wednesday evening and it is your typical no frills type bar on the UES. I will say that beer pipes may need some servicing because I ordered Sam Adams summer ale and it tasted like crap as did the pint of Magic Hat #9.
Be aware that some nights the bar has live music and it can get pretty loud.

This is a fun spot to go with friends. A bit of a younger crowd but the music was (in my opinion) great! Lots of 90s and current pop/​hip hop.
I ordered the mac & cheese but didn’t like it so I barely touched it. The bartender (Christina) asked if she could clear it away and noticed I didn’t eat much. She asked if everything was ok, and I told her the truth — it wasn’t that great. She asked specially what I didn’t like about it and apologized profusely. She took it off my tab and bought me a drink to make up for it. I’ve been in customer service for over 12 years and THIS is how you treat customers! Christina gets it. I’ll definitely go back to this spot when I need a night out somewhere local that’s low key with great music. Woop woop!

We came here to dance, a bit on the early side, but hardly anybody was dancing! Super cute little place, though. Big fan of the back section. Perhaps there was more dancing later. I vote for early dancing! Dancing always!

The food wee tasty, service super friendly I like is a bog place and fair prices ! I will come back love it!

I planned on arranging a larger party to celebrate engagement drinks with Ryan and Corby at Session 73. My fiancé and I had changed the date and our headcount changed drastically.
While we did not book with Ryan and Corby, I want to note their patience, and thoroughness in attempting to work with us. I greatly appreciated their time and effort. Should I be able to host another party work, I will certainly reconsider them and Session 73 again. It was a pleasant experience.
Thanks Ryan and Corby!
A

I was a scene kid in high school. I went to shows at least once a weekend, I wore mostly black, I had a scene kid haircut, and I almost exclusively dated guys in bands. Or at least guys who were all about the music.
These days, I am more into accountants. But, I hold affirmatively that when I do find someone good enough to date, they need to be at least a little punk rock.
I feel like that is me and my relationship with Session 73. We are both mainstream now, but we are still just a little punk rock.
Now is a good time to mention I have only ever been there late Friday/​Saturday nights.
So, Session is my spot. I LOVE it. A few months back, I convinced a group of friends to go, saying that they have the best cover bands that do a lot of 80’s/90’s/00’s covers. When we get there I was immediately elated – they were doing The Cure. I rock my face off, and look back at my friend who says to me «I thought you meant, like, Spice Girls.»
Woops. I am talking about a lot of pop-​punk (blink 182), some grunge (4 non blondes, nirvana), some oldies (billy joel, bruce), some poser-​punk that I used to hate but now I like (yellowcard), etc, etc. There a few different bands and some are more mainstream than others, but I really enjoy them all.
The drinks are decently priced, I wanna say 7 or 8 for a whiskey ginger. No cover. Its usually not crazy crowded, though the most recent time I went it was. If you want to rock out, get your dance on, go there.
Surprisingly, the crowd is pretty bro-​ish. I saw surprisingly because of the music that is played. It’s like when the popular kids would come to a show in HS and its like GET OUT OF HERE THIS IS MY THING. But, alas, perhaps bro-​ish bars are also my thing now.

Sadly disappointing bar/​restaurant (really? a restaurant?)
You would think you would find a pretty decent place to grab some food and a drink along 1^st ave covered in different restaurants offering different cuisines.
I was gifted a groupon from a friend who thought it’d be nice to try new places near my new job. So I invited my best friend and her beau along for bite and a drink. I called ahead to ask if a reservation was required with a groupon the guy said over the phone that it was recommended so I gave him my name and mentioned that I had a groupon to use. Once we arrived the place was pretty much empty except for two or three tables outside and one table inside with a couple. It was dark and the furniture was rundown but didn’t put me off because I was hopeful that the service and food would make up for it.
It seemed they only had one waitress working that night which explained why everything took soooo long. It took her forever to greet us and take our order. And then she wouldn’t come back for like 20 minutes. At one point we had even ordered wings that she completely forgot to put in to the kitchen so low and behold we never got them. Then once ready to order dinner she informs us they ran out of brisket. REALLY? On a Thursday night? She apologized saying that they ran out. Then when I ordered a steak sandwich she says that there is only one person in the kitchen working and that he doesn’t want to go through the hassle of prepping the steak and that he doesn’t have it. So which is it? That he doesn’t have steak or he doesn’t want to make it? Then she pretty much recommended the appetizers and the pizzas. Sounds more like they don’t want people using groupons to consume certain things on the menu. We ended up ordering burgers that took 45 MINUTES to get to our table.
The burgers were pretty average. Nothing to make up for the sub par service.
It was FAIL after FAIL. Honestly, never had such an awful experience at a restaurant. I was taken aback and really dissatisfied. Maybe for a drink or two or to hear some music but otherwise steer clear of the food and the table service. Not worth it. Even with a deal. I can’t imagine having to pay full price on that meal. That would’ve been the real tragedy.

Great casual but nice Ues bar for live music, great friendly service and good bar food. Also sports on the bar tv’s for those who want live music with game scores in view.
I called ahead because I’ve been here several times over the years and the main area depending on the night and music can get busy and crowded. There is also a side area they open that’s not as loud on busy nights. We wanted to have conversation — and The night we went /​early in the week, a female vocalist with a super voice was singing.
Also a good spot for a company meet up. We were there the same night a company was having a get together so we were at a table that after about 30 people came in we at our little bar table became the only ones not a part of the large group … Lucky us in making a toast the company exec included us — beckoning/​glancing with a look… how nice? :/​I wasn’t sure if that was a friendly hey leave our area cue like we were crashing the party despite being there before they arrived but we in friendly spirits toasted with them, even applauded the guys toast ha and then I asked the bartender if this was a private party or there was another area we should sit/​if we should move … He assured us we were good and despite the busy (friendly) company crowd Jason the bartender and one of the other guys were so sweetly attentive. A bar back saw me trying to charge my phone in a non working outlet and kindly took it to a spot up front to charge for me. Another guy not even a bartender behind the bar brought me extra olive juice for my dirty martini and when I forgot to get it from the bar he walked it out to me… And Jason the bartender despite busy busy working the company crowd almost solo at the bar came To our table to check on us a couple times. I was impressed .
Jason recommended the loaded nachos with pulled pork which were so so loaded and so amazing ! The brussel sprouts were also great, cooked and flavored just right.
Music was wonderful.
Drinks were great and when I wanted my martini dirtier they brought more juice. Plump fresh olives.
Highly recommend as a fun casual Ues spot with live music. Fantastic friendly service. For friends, colleagues or a date. Also seemed great and sizable enough for a company gathering. If you don’t want heavy crowds call ahead and confirm their music lineup and expected crowd level.

The company holiday party was held here. We had the back section which was roomy enough to hold about 50 ppl or so, along with a bar, tables and a dj. Finger foods were passed around; all were deep fried, the usually ones like mozzarella sticks, mini quesadillas, egg rolls… nothing impressive. It seems like a clean bar and fairly spacious.
Again it was paid for so not sure if other food items were better, but judging from what was passed around, it’s probably usualpub fare. There are better pubs/​bars around the city and I wouldn’t go out of my way to come here.

not a bad place, didnt have a drink, but they had some specials on margaritas and capirinha…
smallish place, not fancy, not near any subways, but the salsa class was fun, decent turn out
will return

Beware! The hours of operation that are posted on their website are wrong. Their website says they open at 11:30a on Sunday. My friend and I showed up for lunch and drinks at 12p before a Paint Nite class and the doors were locked. I called and talked to a man who told me they wouldn’t be open for another 45 minutes. When I checked the restaurant’s website and discovered it says the restaurant opens at 11:30a, I called back. The same man answered and said he was aware that the website was wrong. I also told him my friend called a few days ago to make a reservation at 12p. She was told they don’t take reservations, but was never told they weren’t open at that time. All this dude said was, «oh, I’m sorry. The restaurant is still dirty, but we can let you in in about 20 minutes.» I said to him it’s cold outside (it was 36 degrees) and before I could finish my sentence he cut me off saying «that’s the best I can do.» So, I told him, «if you’d let me finish what I was saying. It’s cold out here. My friend and I aren’t going to wait 20 minutes. We’ll go somewhere else.» My friend and I were so irritated, we decided not to purchase any food or drinks when we came back for Paint Nite.

So my friend and I came to Session 73 for a painting class. The class started at 2pm so we decided to come in early to eat at the restaurant prior to the class. Well I called 2 weeks before to make a reservation and was told that no reservations were needed. So we both arrived at 12:15 to the restaurant being closed. Now on the restaurant’s website it states that the place opens @ 11:30am. When we spoke to a guy who worked here I am guessing he was the manager he told us that they do not open until 12:30 and there was no reservations for us he was very rude and abrupt. When we tried to explain that when we called we was told no reservation was needed and the guy we spoke to did not tell us that the restaurant opened later then what was stated on the website yet again the manager was rude. He acknowledged that the website was wrong and he was not ready to accommodate customers. The issues I have here are one if the restaurant opens at a different time then listed on the website this should have been communicated we I called to make the reservation. Second the manager’s attitude was very inappropriate, everytime my friend tried to speak he rudely cut her off and assumed all of her questions. My friend and I went to Bareburger across the street and the food was great. The only reason why we went back to Session 73 is because of the painting class, other then that I would not patronize this place. Note to management, update your website to reflect accurate information. Also your staff needs to have customer service training because clearly this is a sorely lacking trait here at Session 73. The one star is only because I could not give zero stars.

I’m not normally a review writer but this had to be written. I came to check this place out for my offices month gathering (luckily I did). To start this place looks like it hasn’t changed since it opened or cleaned either. The website is outdated, I was interested in trying their «homemade» infusions that offer on their menu online, to my surprise they did not offer what is on the site, nor did they have any pizza or steak sandwiches that night, they were sold out (so they said). The one good thing they had was the music selection, outdated like the rest of the place but still pretty good. There was a guy who I assume was the manager:
1) Looked miserable
2) Decided to make himself a drink rather then help serve the waiting (paying) customers.
Not really sure how this place has stayed in business for so long, nor am I sure how and/​or why it’s staff is still there, I’d be embarrassed.
I do have to say thank you to them for showing my guests and myself such a subpar time that I was able to tell my boss to find another location, it’d be a shame for my company to spend all that money and not get a great night.

Attended a party here last night. Food was not that wonderful. Passed this place a few times and now I will continue to pass it and not go in. Sorry 73.

This review is based solely on the food. We came here for paint nite and ordered the nachos, calamari, Riesling. It’s delicious!!! I couldn’t stop eating the nachos. Perfect combination of every thing.

This place is hit or miss. Good to go with a group of people if you want to hear live music and be able to dance, because this place does have a dance floor and does host decent bands. The misses would be that it’s almost impossible to tell what the crowd is going to be like — seems like it’s either a young fratty crowd OR a much older early-​bird-​special crowd. No offense meant to either demographic, it’s just hard to tell what the vibe is going to be.
Food is mediocre, service usually okay. Helpful to show up already a few drinks in.

Recently rented out a room here on a Saturday night. The event coordination staff was great. The room was great. The bartender was great. The ambiance was great. The temperature was nice and cool (it was really humid out). Prices were reasonable.
Even after the event ended, the majority of our party hung around for the live band they had. The band was a 90’s cover band and was very interactive with the crowd. Overall the crowd was perfect for our party (mid 20’s to young 30’s). Good mix of guys and girls. Crowded but not packed.
Highly recommend and would strongly consider doing future events there.

The place has indoor and outdoor seating. I sat outdoors and the table is very small.
There is a small menu with the typical bar type food — wings, dips, burgers, and salads.
I ordered the tuna skewers, tuna salad, artichoke and spinach dip. The dip is a big portion and was too much for 2 people. Its more like for 4 people. I should have ordered wings, instead.
The tuna skewers were okay, nothing amazing. It was bland. The salad could have been presented better and in a larger plate.
I’ve had better food, maybe I should have selected to usually bar food — wings and burgers.

I loved this place! Live bands with no cover charge to get into the bar, on Friday/​Saturday nights? I’m sold. On first impression, I just saw a cute restaurant with candle-​lit tables, and thought hmm this place would be good for a dinner date, not a bar scene! But I was happy to find out that is only one part of Session 73– there’s a huge other room for the bar/​live band, and another whole room for a bar/​lounge/​dance area. I loved that depending on the song the band was singing or the vibe we were feeling, we could easily switch to a different room to change up the scene. I loved the songs they were playing in the dance room, my kind of club music. In the other room, wasn’t the best live band I’ve seen, and a little loud /​hard to hear over your friends talking over the music, but it was still an enjoyable experience. I was surprised it was kind of dead there even around 11pm. it took until about 12 to get more crowded (I guess because the band started around then). If I’m in the area I definitely want to go back!

I stumbled in here for a drink with friends one night and ended up having one of the best nights I’ve had in Manhattan.
They had a band playing calling Rated R, who were so good. They played some great classics from the 90s! In the back there was a dance floor with different music playing so we could decide where to dance.
The staff were really friendly and the drinks were good!

So to start with the good: Possibly the best mojito I’ve ever had, and I have faith that their other cocktails would match up as well. The food was also quite good; the nachos are huge, delicious, and well priced, and the Jerk Chicken Satay was fun and delicious, with a perfect match between the jerk spice and the ranch-​based dipping sauce.
I was a bit confused/​disappointed, as the restaurant advertises itself as «American Tapas» or «Tapas-Style»…The food did not resemble any sort of shareable foods except that much of it came on skewers; The prices also didn’t seem to reflect the supposed «tapas» style either.
We were there on a slow weekend (July 4^th) so I can excuse that it felt a bit slow and dead — I’ve seen first hand that on other weekends it can get quite packed, and I do plan on returning for a busier, more lively night. That being said, our waitress was downright useless; she could barely answer questions about the food, and despite there being under 10 – 15 people in the restaurant, service was slow, and she was very, very inattentive. Again, I’d love to give them another shot as it’s been highly recommended, and the food was quite good.
OH. And there’s NO DESSERT MENU. I know you’re a bar with food, but that was certainly a disappointment.

I love Christina!!! I came late tonight and it was Salsa night! The band was incredible and my drinks were awesome!!! Christina is so cool and fun! She’s no bubble headed teenage bartender! She totally knows what’s up and how to keep a crowd engaged! Love session73 and love her!!!

How do you fail in the bar industry? Change the channel when three people who are hurdled in a corner, ordering food and real drinks (not piss lite, or PBRs) are watching a channel and on more than one occasion you change the channel.
Oh the bar isn’t crowded and there are 2 other tvs. Playoffs should always take precedent over boring baseball.

Went for St. Patty’s Day which was supposed to have live music and drink specials throughout the day.
The live band played about one song an hour.
The crowd was much older than expected and the staff was catering to a private party in the one section of the bar.
Though probably one of the most affordable bars on the UES, our time at Session 73 wasn’t anything special or worth returning. The crowd on St. Patty’s Day was lacking – which probably should have been our first hint to find another spot on one of the biggest drinking days of the year– the drinks were poor quality, and the food was very very mediocre bar food.
The bartender was very friendly but unfortunately the food, drinks, and atmosphere were too mediocre to encourage us to return again.

Good food, especially the fondue and chicken strips. Lauren the bartender makes the best chocolate espresso martinis. Most bartenders there are friendly. There is a manager that works there, red hair guy, avoid him. The guy is arrogant and does not make customers feel welcomed. Tuesday nights are best, the place is less crowded and usually has live music as well.

I went for a paint night event… we arrived an hour early and sat at the bar. John the bartender was nice & friendly. I ordered a creamsicle to which he advised me they make but didnt have cream. I told him how i tend to make mine which is just w pinnacle whipped vodka, oj and sprite and he glady fixed it for me.
The burger and chips were good as well as the not so mild (i thought they were mild someone else ordered them) wings. I’d return again if im ever in the area or its another paint night event

I was here recently after a football tournament as it was the sponsored bar. Soon after we walked in the table next to us warned us that the kitchen was backed up, and that they had ran out of pitchers. They were so upset they upped and left. Thankfully, they offered us their lonely pitcher to hold onto and recycle. 1 pitcher for 8 people… it felt like a bucket brigade as we faught our way to the bar.
We should have listened to the other table instead of being so stubborn. The food TRICKLED out of the kitchen… plate by plate. It took over an hour to get our food. I ordered chicken fingers and fries, while my girlfriend had the nachos. I never received my fries. The chicken fingers were so cold they were inedible. Oddly my teammate ordered wings… half were cold half were hot. THAT scared me… The nachos were straight out gross. My girlfriend ate some of them just because she was so hungry and needed something in the tank. I NEVER send food back, but this time I just couldn’t deal with it. I told the waitress I didn’t want it. She was a sweet heart and told me she will get a manager… we waited… and waited… to the point where I got up and left to get food elsewhere. In fact, most of the people we spoke to had to leave to go get food.
All in all I don’t see myself ever going back. I do not recomment this place to anyone.

As a long time resident of the UES this is my go to spot. This is the only place we have found in the area with live bands every Friday and Saturday night. The music is great, always a mix of classic rock, 80’s 90’s and today that has us singing and dancing all night. Aside from the music the décor at Session 73 is a refreshing change for all the dive/​college/​sports bars that are all over the upper east side. The staff here is also very friendly, after the first few times we came here we were on a first name basis with most of the staff and they even remember our drink of choice, ask for Chachi and Lauren. If you ever find yourself in the Upper East side be sure to check out this place!