Mehanata - Bulgarian Tavern in New York Review

The craziest bar in NYC, you will be lucky if yoy remember what happened next day.

Worst bar in the city. All of the 5 stars are from employees.

Was there for my uncles birthday celebration and it was pretty fun. Two levels of music and bars. Not what it looks like from the outside.

Nice 3 level bar. Good music, hookah is ok. 3rd level lounge awesome.

Had a really good time here. Spot is awesome, music is great, the bar and its swings is fun.

Great music and strong drinks. They also have a pole to dance on, on the basement floor. Great fun experience

This place was absolutely atrocious, as a mid-20 something year old woman I was appalled by your rude, nasty, power tripping children promoters and security at the door last night. If you re looking to run a fine establishment where all people of color and ethnicity are allowed in with no problem or being hustled at the door; you should completely change the way your establishment is run. I witnessed underage White Girls without ID present slip in no problem. Maybe someone should notify authorities as well.

Great club to stop by with friends! Have been a few times. Cool vibe inside, and they often play Reggaeton which is unique.

Removing a star because I got roofied one of those times (drinking my girlfriend's drink), so keep your eyes open.

P.S. the coat-check is cash only!!

The place is divided into restaurant and bar/club/dance floor. And the dancing floor can get really busy!

Great dive bar with swings at the bar. Mixed drinks are good and cheap

A bizarre but amazing dance experience. I didn't try the ice lounge area, but just came here for the dancing and drinks. Drinks are a bit overpriced so next time I would pregame before coming.
The dancing is EPIC. Nothing compares to this place. The $10 cover makes this place more worth it than any other place in NYC.
I can't gush over this place enough - it is ABSOLUTELY A MUST SEE experience.

Came here on a Fri night, it was someone's bachelorette party and she was from India so they mainly played Hindi songs all night.
The line for the bathroom was SO LONG. Also, the vodka room they're famous for is nearly impossible to get into due to the long line.
The alcohol was OK priced.

really good ambiance, fun dj who will play whatever you ask for, fun ppl, perfect to dance your body out and have an amazing fun night, also you can go to the russian room and get all you drink

This place is crazy, in a very good way. Balkan music and crazy dancing all night long . It. Has 2 floors with different music.

Cheap to get in, usually some kind of cool band playing upstairs, and dance music downstairs, gets more fun after 11/12 really fun vibe

Dance club with a gritty vibe. AC doesn't work and it is sweltering so much that patrons come here with hand fans!

Amazing environment. I always have a blast when I come back to NYC and visit my fave bar !!
If you are looking for a fun crowd and no drama, this is the place to be!

This is a weird place. Good for a hipster crowd, good beer selection, more on the exotic side with the beers. It's a moody place which on some nights can be cool and some nights, disappointing.

Good drinks, food wasn't bad but I can't say it was anything special either, had a good time all things considered.

Very chilaxed place. Despite it's small size, the 3 floors offers plenty of options. They have very friendly bartenders and enough room for dancing. Plus the swings and ice box downstairs gives it a nice unique touch. I think they would do better if they offered more drink options especially hot or warm drinks during the winter months (i.e. hot cider with bourbon, spiked coffees, mulled wine, etc.), but that's my opinion. All in all I always enjoy myself when I'm here.

Its a mixed song dance club. Staff is great. Drinks are cheap comparing other clubs. I enjoy every time I go there.

This place is quite awesome! Where else in NYC will you get a chance to pack into an ice cage and have 2 minutes to take as many vodka shots as you can? They give fur coats to women and russian military coats to men as well as russian fur hats so you keep warm in the cage. The vodka in the cage is good quality too, so don't be afraid. You do, however, have to knock on the door so they can let you out (kind of strange - I guess they really lock you in the cage)! The upstairs lounge has a hookah bar but the place gave us a broken hookah and told us we broke it after we realized it wasn't pulling. Unnecessary. Go there for the cage, not the hookah!

Mehanata is a must- live music to dance to, amazing fries topped with Bulgarian feta cheese (i don't know who can turn these down!) and rakija. Late night dancing with really great dj's playing anything from Brazilian favela tunes to North African rebajada to hip hop to searing Gypsy brass- an experience not to be missed! F'real!

Total dive bar that refuses to give you water, but so much fun and open late

I got there for my birthday last Saturday with thinking I'll have so much fun that I used to have before at this place. I was completely disappointed and embarrassed for my friends. First of all and most importantly, there was no dinner menu that it's shown on their website. I had cancelled my reservation for dinner from an other restaurant just because of this wrong information on the website and misinformation the gentleman that I talked on the phone gave me. As a dinner they only have 3 different kinds of burger (very small and tasteless) and Bulgarian sausage with a few slice of fries and coleslaw in a to go container for $10. Besides that, there was no Bulgarian live music. There was a decent Dj playing Latin music. Don't get me wrong. I love Latin music but if I wanted to spend my birthday with listening Latin music, I know much better places to go and they have also really good food. We were there until 11pm with a hope that might have live music but nothing. The other floors were already not open. Some of my friends were seriously sleeping. We just had to leave to go another place. I gave 2 stars just for the old good times that I spent there and the cozy atmosphere they still have. Sadly, I don't think I will go back again.

My favorite place to go out in the city. Would recommend this to anyone who is up for a fun night out. The drinks are also not crazy expensive (although it is still $10) but it's such a fun place. The music can be from anywhere in the world, and they even have live music at times. Just an amazing spot overall! Would definitely recommend the Apple cider vodka =)

Craziest night of my life. Poles. Good Alcohol. Brilliant music

Love this place. The DJs play great music. Cant wait to govback

Ordered takeout from Mehanata Bulgarian Bar for Takeout Tuesday - it did not disappoint! We got the Aloko and two orders of Chicken Yassa with a glass of the Tamarind juice. Mehanata Bulgarian Bar will be entered into our takeout rotation for sure. Excited to stop by and dine in once it's safe to do so!

It is a fun place with different kinds of music playing from around the world. However, I called three times prior to confirm that they start charging people at the door at 10 p.m. Me and my friend arrived thirty minutes before ten and they were charge people. The people in the front was the manager and the girl that collects money. It really pissed me off because the manager was a scum bag and the place was fun.

madhouse of gypsy, and southern Italian tarantella music. Frantic dancing great people watching! Drinks reasonable.

Revised review: I originally left a glowing review for this place. I felt the place was very fun with good food at drinks at fair prices. Afterwards I noticed on my credit card that the charge was higher than I had signed for, I guess the bartender wanted to add in a bit more to their tip. Really soured the experience.

Great place to hang out, I met some awesome people while I was there. The bartender and bouncer were outstanding. I will becoming back next time I am in the area.

A place unsure of itself. It has two dance stages on two levels, suggesting it is a dance hall or party venue. But then it also serves food (mediocre, but tolerable). The bar is overpriced... But it has a cold booth where you can drink as much as you can for 20 bucks for 60 seconds. The place is generally a little dirty and unkempt. Live musicians and visiting DJs drop by from time to time. Usually an awkward time is guaranteed to be had by all.

My personal favorite bar. Dance to a mix of great music on ther first floor, or go down stairs and get lit with louder clubier scene with poles to dance on and a mix of electronic and spanish music. The drinks are well priced, and they even have ok hookah.

One of the most fun spots in New York City. You have to be in a particular state of mind in order to enjoy it here, but there's nothing else like it not even in Bulgaria.

great place for big groups just looking to dance. tons of space, cheap drinks, and lots of seating as well. the place is very casual with an "anything goes" feel. downstairs there is a dj.

You know what comes in handy when you visit this place? Knowing a little bit of Bulgarian and having travelled to Bulgaria twice. This place is awesome. On a Saturday night it was just the right kind of busy: no line, but plenty of people dancing. The girls on the ground floor bar are really cool and serve really awesome drinks. I suggest drinking rakia all night if you go here. It's cheap and tastes good. Also, you can go downstairs where there was a professional dancer, and an "ice-cage"

Qwerky place, good to dance in simple setting, don't expect fancy

Cool club, The music is good and there are two floors each with different music

The ice cage was cool, my Bachelorette party friends had a great time with that. I got overcharged x 3 for my shots. First shot was 1.5 oz, second shot was 1 oz, I specifically asked for a normal 1.5 oz shot for the 3rd and they charged me for a double shot and it was the exact same size as the 2nd one. The server seemed new and didn't seem to understand basic physics when I poured water between the two shot glasses and it was the same volume. Also, the Red Bull was $8 so be prepared for that or chose a different drink. Over priced, service sucked upstairs. Music was okay.

The place to go for a shambolic night on the town. Nothing special in the drinks department but a fun dancey atmosphere with an interesting crowd. Probably a bit dirty if viewed under bright lights but perfectly nostalgic when covered in a vodka veneer.

Cover is a bummer sometimes, but it's a rager inside.

Always a surefire way to have a great time. My girls and I like to do the ice age challenge downstairs then head upstairs for the folk-y music. Once we're sick of that, we head downstairs for the dance floor/ DJ for the younger crowd. Dancing always comes effortlessly for us here. *Note: it's a consequence of the challenge. Also be warned, it's fairly dead before 11:30 usually.

This place has two floors. Main floor is ok, the basement floor is kinda sketchy. Some employees were acting like salesmen trying to get us to buy drinks.

This place for years has been a welcoming spot for our multicultural couchsurfing group. Club that usually has good music and dancing, and (if you get there early enough) can prob avoid a cover.

This place is pretty cool. Exotic amosphere and I love that ice room. The hookah is cheap but the drinks are expensive. Easy to meet women here especially since they are from out of town. Lots of hipsters too.

Food is fine. Not what I've expected but it's a nice place

Cover charge: Free before 9:50pm; they hold up the line so by the time it's 10pm they can charge $10.00 and I believe it's $15 after 11pm. OMG this place is crowded. If you're someone who is claustrophobic, i recommend to not come here. If you have keys with a lanyard make sure you take it off or else you'll have to leave it up front and it may disappear. The line to the girls bathroom was the worse and all girls did was take selfies in there. The drinks are overpriced. I wish they had sitting area where you don't have to have bottle service. Just something to rest for a bit. The music was okay. I think it depends on who is DJ the night you go. They are pretty lenient with the way girls dress which is cool so that gives them 2 stars. This place was not terrible and I might go again.

For its location I noticed a diverse crowd which is not always common on the LES which I liked. Very cool aesthetically with good drink options. The night I went, wasn t the best crowd but the space itself has a lot of potential.

This bar/club is a special kind of weird. With a bar that has swings and fishbowl style options with blueberries in ice cubes and smoke, to a tiny freezing cold room, to several pole-dancing poles, to antique furniture lounges, to the vast amounts of bras hanging from a clothesline across the ceiling, it's a fascinating and fun space.

They legit have a stripper pole at the basement of this place. Super fun place to go to. They normally charge at the door but it's worth it. they also have a room where you pay like 20 - 30 bucks to just drink for a few minutes. The cold room, idk but people coming in sober come out drunk.

Not bulgarian anymore, they played latin music all the time I stayed and the closest thing at the bar to anything bulgarian was a mediocre and expensive russian beer, it did not reminded me at all to my trips to beautiful Sofia and Plovdiv : (

Mehanata Bulgarian Bar is my new favorite spot in NYC. Already recommending to everyone I know. This bar is unique and you will find another like it in Manhattan. This bar truly appeals to everyone especially those that need a break from the concrete jungle every now and then. Bartenders are awesome at what they do. The offer many types of cocktails and we can't forget about the vodka ICE CAGE! Forget about dating apps and get your butt down to Mehanata. Live life.

There is an Ice Cage where you get to go crazy and pound vodka like no tomorrow! Definitely eorth experiencing at least once in your lifetime!

Very cool eclectic bar. A fun mishmosh of a bunch of different styles....very NY

1 word- diversity. This place is one of those rare gems where you can folks of every race. Music is good and the drinks are yum. Friends and I had a great time on a Saturday. Can get a bit crowded, but what do ya expect? You are in a club!

Good music safe atmosphere good place for groups to hangout dance and drink

This place is horrible. The staff was completely irresponsive about anything. Beer was not cold enough. I will not recommend it.

If you want to spend a lot of money for nothing then go there but don't expect much. There is nothing bulgarian there I don't know why it is called bulgarian bar

Atmosphere is nice, but drinks are overpriced and beer selection limited. Place was dead on a Saturday night

Really good decor. There's swings at the bar counter and bras hanging from the ceiling.
The drinks light up which is very pretty cool.
It was a little empty initially but filled up soon by around 11.

Great place to have fun and enjoy interesting people.

Very fun place to have a few drinks and let lose on the dance floor. Love the decor. It has three floors which is also nice, need to check out the top which appears a bit smaller.
The bottom floor looks nice has a stopped pole a bar also and a "ice cage" where you take shots. Some that you pay extra for.

I love love love Mehanata. I've been here around 4 times and have had a blast each time.

It gets really crowded, but worth the hassle. The inside of this place is just so cool and wild. Its a big space - THREE levels. Do not lose your friends like I did once or you'll be texting them all night trying to find each other! The bartenders are too busy to be super friendly, but they're fast.

There's a quieter bar, but it turns into a dance area at 11pm or midnight. I forget which.

A word of warning, don't leave to go outside. You'll have trouble getting back inside.

We dare you NOT to have a good time at this raucous den. Drink and dance the night away, but make sure you venture downstairs to the ice room to cool off with a shot or two.

Decent spot in the LES. Good drinks and has the "ice cage" vodka room. Liveliness and atmosphere depends on what time you arrive. It can be dead or it can be really fun.

I came here shortly after opening, so I cannot speak of how the place is during prime time. The place has no ties to the Bulgarian culture whatsoever. Calling it a Bulgarian bar is inaccurate at least. There were no Bulgarian beers or typical drinks. The music was south American, which might be lovely but has no connection to the Bulgarian ways. The prices are on the high end for the neighborhood and the atmosphere. The service was fast, but I wouldnt expect anything else while having 5 people in the bar. I wouldn't be coming back.

A bit trippy if you aren't prefaced before, but this rollicking bar, complete with an "ice room" where you can don silly hats and jackets and take shots for a fee, is fun as long as you're with willing companions. Funky and carefree.

Very fun. Dancing. Unusual music. Exciting atmosphere. East village.

Interesting eclectic mix of people you'll find here. Way way different (and better) vibe than dance spots in meatpacking... music is more international, guys aren't grinding up on you. I don't dare to enter the ice box but it looks fun?

Came here with a group of friends, there's an upstairs and downstairs so plenty of space to come with your crew!

Ice cage was an experience! Bar tenders are a lot of fun and the club has a good atmosphere. I would recommend coming around 11:30-12 as the place is pretty dead before.