Bar Centrale

we had two good times in this bar last week. the atmosphere is warm and cozy. the boss is very welcoming. The first night we sat at the bar, and had a great time. special mention for the bartender who is extremely friendly, and who served us very good cocktails. we came back just for him the next day, and we once again had a very pleasant time. so thank you from two French people who enjoyed discovering this hidden and soothing place in a neighborhood with an effervescent atmosphere

VERY noisy so not a good place for a gathering. But the tacos and wine were excellent.

On this crowded theater district street hides this little gem. A discreet brownstone door leads you into a dark and classy pre or better yet post theater bar. Go in. This place feels like it is here just for you! Wonderfully professional service from everyone inside. Terrific bartender and delicious and classy cocktails. Regulars and out of owners blend together and all treated with value. The food was top notch and absolutely delicious. I will be back as this bar rose to the ranks of my favorites!

Great place! If you're looking for a quiet place with an chill atmosphere in the heart of the theater district of Time Square, this is it. You have to look though no signs. 13 tables and an 8 seat bar with no standing area. It is a welcome relief to the madness that is downtown NYC. Off the beaten path and worth a stop.

Fantastic before a show. They actually ask you when does your show start so that they can time it for you to make it on time. There aren’t many food options, really just a couple of small plates- so you should treat it as a bar only. Otherwise great vibes!

Update: The bartender's name was Julianne, not Juliette. I have made the correction.

I went here on a Saturday evening at 9:30. I was supposed to meet some friends at 10:00 a few blocks away, and I had looked up 'speakeasies' in the Times Square area and this came up. It was the closest to the other venue and looked nice from the pics. As I approached the area where the entrance was supposed to be, I admit I was a little confused about how to get in; no signs, no bell, no knob. I (awkwardly) tried knocking and some people came out. I thought they were a family leaving their home, but they didn't seem disturbed by my presence, so I proceeded to push the door open.

The waiting area is very small with a few seats. I was greeted by a very polite young lady with short blonde hair and she offered me a seat at the bar being that I was alone. The front four seats were available and I sat on the center right stool. They have hooks under the bar top where I hung my jacket. The bartender was a lovely young brunette named Julianne. She made me a fine Old Fashioned with Maker's Mark. She was very friendly and engaging.

I took the opportunity to look around. The place is very simple and modern without being pretentious. Light grey brick walls, black window frames and blinds, and some soft amber lighting. Before the bar, which is right across from the waiting area, there are some tables with seats scattered aside. To the right of the bar is a strip of booths before a mirror and a bathroom to the left of it. Nice single bathroom as well.

I went into this place dressed in a tactical black jacket with patches on it, a black hoodie, black cargo pants, rain boots, and a keffiyeh wrapped around my head and a shemagh around my neck, and I was treated with the utmost respect. To be fair, I may dress a particular way, but I know my manners. I only mention this because I've read some reviews about people being shunned or treated rudely based on this or that factor, as well as being turned away when there's space. I only had a cocktail and a beer and stayed about 30 minutes, but my experience here was very good as far as service and appearance. It's a nice hidden place good a for a conversation over drinks and perhaps a meal. Can't comment of the food, though. Maybe next time I'll get her earlier and have a bite as well. I had a nice little time by myself at Bar Centrale.

Enjoyed my first experience at BC tonight during an impromptu meet up with beloveds visiting from the west coast. The ambiance, drinks, and food were beautiful, but what really made the experience exceptional was the banter and care extended to us by bartender Julianne. I can’t wait to go back!

It’s a fabulous haunt in the best sense. Intimate, with delicious food and drinks. ❤

I almost don't want to write a review because I want to keep this all to myself. Bar Centrale has been my go-to spot for special celebrations, pre/post-theater drinks, and tasty bites when I need a pick-me-up for 10+ years. It never disappoints. There are many great veg options and I am not even veg! I love you, Bar Centrale! From your umamilicious tuna tacos to the scrumptious chickpea fries, you had me from first sip. Yep, you read that correctly. The drinks are also clutch and no frills, just thrills. It's a garden of earthly delights, AND BONUS, you can hear the person sitting across from you and you don't have to yell. I'll be back. I hope I can still get a reservation. Xoxo, BC!

Very neat, upscale bar with a speakeasy feel in an unmarked old brown stone building. Cocktails are amazing, my favorite is the aviation. Food is good, many small plate options. Prices are high as expected for the area, but I believe worth it. We have brought a lot of visitors here and everyone always enjoys it. Staff is friendly. There is a no standing room policy, I highly recommend making reservations but they often have same day availability.

This gem in Midtown is truly a place to take someone who you want to give a special theater district evening. Book seats or you won't get them, even at the bar. People watching is fun. Food is solid and drinks are great. Service is good but a bit of tude. Just go with it, it's part of the vibe. If you can't get in go downstairs to Joe Allen the sister restaurant.

Perfect pre-theatre spot. A group of us grabbed some dinner here before seeing Hamilton and were all so pleased with the food, the service and the decor. The small plates made for a nice sharing vibe and the no-sign speakeasy style kept out a lot of the tourists. I live in the city and will definitely return even when I’m not catching a show. Chickpea fries were a standout.

Bar Centrale, a secluded, unmarked bar housed in an old brownstone apartment, this spot is serving up speakeasy vibes and classic cocktails.

Feel like you are walking into a residential building. But behind the door is a hostess and a restaurant. We sat at the bar, had a couple drinks but didn’t have a chance to try their food (was after dinner drinks).

Great time to go is when everybody is at the theatre, great place for a drink.

Bar Centrale is just awesome. The service is great and the atmosphere is quintessential old New York but go for the food. The small plates are just fantastic. The guacamole is better than what you find in most Mexican restaurants, the shrimp and Chinese mushroom dumplings have a delicate wrapper, are plump and delicious, and the charred skirt steak has a perfect crust and is tender and juicy. The drinks also deserve high marks! Although a pre/post theater favorite, make it a point to go when you are not going to the theater and enjoy the experience.

My fiancé and I went to bar céntrale before a show recently. We sat at the bar since we were not able to get reservations (decided to go there last minute). The restaurant is inside a brownstone and it is great! The bartender was top notch, drinks were amazing, and the food was also great. The plates are small plates (at least at the bar) which was great for us, since we were able to share a couple plates. I would definitely recommend the Fish tacos.

This was one of my favorite restaurants in NYC, because it was cozy, but not cramped, happening, but not so loud that we couldn't have a nice conversation. The food and cocktails were delish and the atmosphere chill. It is hard to spot though because it is a speakeasy with no sign...but maybe that's why I love it so much!

I love this bar as it's secretly hidden in the most touristy location in NYC. From outside it looks like an apartment, but if you're in the know, or using Google maps, you will find it.
Tucked nicely in the middle of Restaurant Row, this little bar boasts high end mixology cocktails and in a relaxed atmosphere.
They have food too, but I've never had it.
It's difficult to get in without reservations, as it's a small place and they're strict. I recommend calling them in advance and I think they only take reservations up to a week in advance.

I really love Bar Centrale. I can’t wait for all of this pandemic stuff to be over, so I can pay my favorite speakeasy a visit. The whole vibe of the place was like nothing else. After all, it is not every day that you get a chance to feel like a gangster from the old movies. Sadly, there’s no scheduled opening date.
If you’ve ever wondered what it felt like to hang out in a covert speakeasy, Bar Centrale is the place for you. The entrance is unmarked, so to anyone who doesn’t know what to look for, this bar appears to be a regular old brownstone. While you can linger with, say, a lovely Manhattan and cauliflower wings at Bar Centrale, chances are there’s another reason one has the good sense to reserve a table at this favorite from the Joe Allen empire: proximity to celebs. Don’t pass by this unassuming bar if you need somewhere to stop for a drink before or after a show, especially if you’re also feeling peckish. In addition to the wine and beer menu, Bar Centrale has a wide variety of food to offer, such as the shrimp cocktail, the Maine lobster quesadilla, and the flatbread pizza.

Classic bar, great food. Quiet place, not too small.

A bit pricey.

Best pre- and post-theater spot! The cocktails are delicious and finely crafted (love that the shaken drinks come with a sidecar!). Ambiance is wonderful, feels like a private club. Love it here, just wish they had someone take reservations on the phone before 5pm. Great NYC secret spot!