When you think of the word reception, do you think of a warm welcome at someone’s home, where the hostess takes your coat, inquires how you’ve been and—oh, while she’s in the kitchen—asks whether you need anything to drink? Or do you think of a fabulous party, where all the gussied-up guests are indulging in equally gussied-up gastronomic treats? At the cocktail bar named Reception, you’ll find neither. Instead, you’ll enter a candy-coated, retro-futuristic space with nary a greeting. On a recent Wednesday night, all four tables were filled with groups of friends in beanies and thick glasses. Even parked on a barstool, I had trouble flagging down one of the two bartenders who seemed to be constantly preoccupied and slightly ticked that I was interrupting them. The downtown bar serves cocktails but touts its Korean-inspired “elixirs”—a nebulous buzzword for non-alcoholic drinks that harbor Gwyneth Paltrow–approved health benefits. We went to see if these stone-cold-sober options could cure our winter blues. They couldn’t. Out of the five elixirs, four are indistinguishable from chilled, off-brand seltzers. The exception is Aphrodite’s Milk: As a libation intended to “increase libido,” it’s appropriately thick and nutty, mixed with egg white and black sesame. However, the Skinny Shroom (“aids in the breakdown of fat”) with sparkling buckwheat, shimeji mushroom shrub and quince honey is thin on flavor, and Queen Min’s Botanics (“balances hormones”) with white lotus, ginseng honey, sparkling jasmine and egg white, is insipid by any other name. It’s the type of bland reception that makes you want to go back on the bottle. BY: ALYSON PENN POSTED: WEDNESDAY JANUARY 2 2019

This place was on my list of bars to go to. Was able to visit here with a group of friends last night. This one star is heavily due to the terrible service we received. While the bar closed at 10, we arrived at 9:10 which included of plenty of time still to stay. The lady was nice at first in greeting us and told us we were allowed 2 rounds given the time and that she’ll come back later . Then she left and never came back. By 9:35, we went in to let her know we’ve been ready to order. She then proceeds us to rush us to order and became snarky and rude. Menu stated that a 20% gratuity fee would be automatically added for groups over a certain number, which was applicable to us. She told us it does not include tip which also makes this confusing. Once we were done drinking, it was around 10 and she rushed our table to leave by throwing us the check before we were ready even though there were plenty of tables around us still enjoying their time and have been there earlier than us. The nice atmosphere and interesting drinks are not worth encountering this rude lady’s service.

Venturing into the world of Korean-inspired cocktails at this reception bar was an adventure in itself. Infused with distinct Korean spices, each cocktail boasted an exuberant, yet light and invigorating taste, painting an unmistakably Asian flavor palette. While the menu was compact, it was a treasure trove of unique concoctions. The bar exuded a charmingly unpretentious ambiance, albeit slightly marred by smudged and weathered menus, giving it an endearing, rustic feel. Exploring this space was a delightfully curious experience for us. However, the service, although possibly attributed to the opening phase, felt a tad neglectful and somewhat distant. Nonetheless, the allure of the place and the captivating flavors of the beverages made our visit intriguing and worthwhile.
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Galbi Jjim
Parking space
Difficult to find parking
Parking
No parking at all
Kid-friendliness
No kids, please)

I’ve been going to the reception bar for the past few years. Great drinks and really nice vibe. It’s been my go to bar in the lower East side / Chinatown area. I’ve had good experiences generally, but the service has become mediocre. Most recently, 40 minutes into my time here, I had a really uncomfortable experience here with a server who goes by JJ. He kept rushing my friend and I to order drinks or close out, eventually pressuring us to close out and leave. It was so uncomfortable whenever the waiter came around, my friend felt the need to de-escalate the situation by overcompensating w pleasantries while faced with cold curt responses from JJ.. While I’ve always had a pleasant experience with my non black friends in this space, my recent experience left me deeply disappointed. I’ve never felt so rushed here while visiting with my white or Asian friends. This experience was a classic example of anti-black racism in a POC space.
Service: 2
Atmosphere: 5

Reception Bar should be a no-brainer for me since I love soju cocktails. So far, my favorites are Orchard St., Lotus Breeze, and Incheon. Be warned that they really ONLY carry soju. If you want a rum & coke, or even just a soda, you're out of luck. I hope that they'll add non-alcoholic options, as my friend had to stick with water. Overall, the crowd veers young—early 20s, an overspill of Dimes Square. Outdoor seating is far more comfortable than indoors, as it's always crowded, loud, and bizarrely humid in there. Last time I sat at the bar, the open kitchen had steam from the sink and dishwasher hitting my face, which is not the chic mood they're going for. As some reviews mentioned, while it depends on the server, service is usually chilly and they tend to rush you out, so I hope this is improved on as well.

My friend has a serious medical condition and was sick in the bar. She bought one drink and didn't even get a chance to drink it, even though we were there to celebrate my birthday. Although we left no mess and caused no issue, they treated us rudely, insinuated that she couldn’t handle alcohol, charged a large fee and gossiped audibly because she became ill. Very tacky and gross. Boo tomato tomato. Please note: their response is a peculiar lie, as I drove from Philadelphia and was parked outside. There was no conversation whatsoever about calling a car… I own one. Their waitress staff is unprofessional and there’s no reason to ever revisit this establishment, so a banning is utterly and purely laughable .

This would be a great place for a date. It’s a pretty intimate space. It being a soju cocktail is unique and is kind of refreshing. The bartenders are very attentive and pay a lot of care with each drink. For $14 they are a steal in terms of flavor balance and uniqueness. We came on a Friday night around 8:30 and it was full but not crowded. If you’re like in you’re late twenties early thirties and just leaving the house on a Friday night is kind of a chore, this is a great place to leave for. I won’t have to yell. You’ll get a nice buzz. You’ll feel like a grownup who is still fun.

I really wanted to like this place as the vibe was great. However, the drinks and services were rather disappointing. It took 20-ish minutes for them to have the drinks ready; and there was this one particular bartender who was nonchalant and completely unapologetic. During the hour we spent no one ever came up to us. The lady server was polite enough though so we really appreciated it - it’s just this one particular bartender who seated us probably needs to learn how to be more courteous and less condescending. His quality of service was reflected on the tips.

Reception Bar is a rare spot that you can’t compare to anywhere else because the contemporary space, menu and all the little touches culminate to something one of a kind. The owner is extremely friendly and there are regularly new menu items and collaborations happening that keeps things exciting every time you stop by. There are a range of cocktails for every palette and beautiful sojus bottles that feel nice enough to gift to someone who needs a boost on a bad 2020 day. The only disappointment here is COVID removing our access to the gorgeous interior space.

This was the worst service I've received. I am visiting from out of town. The place sounded interesting so paid a visit hoping to get 3-4 drinks. When I got there I found the place was pretty much empty on a Thursday night. Even so, it took forever for the bartender to take my first order. After I finished my first drink, I was never asked if I wanted a second drink and I waited for about 15 minutes with an empty glass while the bartenders looked at their phones. At that point, I asked for the bill and left. Waste of precious little time I have in the city.

The name and description of the cocktails here look incredible, but I was bummed that I didn't like the ones we tries. We had the Ginger Goblin, Orchard St, and the Martini 100. I could tell the Orchard St was popular and was like a margarita, and it was fine. I didn't like the Ginger Goblin, but the martini was okay. The atmosphere was really nice though, people seemed cool and it's in a vibey part of town. Might be worth a stop in to try some of the other options
Price per person
$50–100
Food: 3
Service: 3
Atmosphere: 5

Super small intimate vibes with honestly incredible drinks. I love the Asian influenced flavors! Was OBSESSED with lotus breeze and devil wood bloom. Osmanthus Soju was so different! Def recommend for something special and low key (soju won’t get you very far ya know?). Not great for groups bigger than 4. Moody lighting, dark, modern mid century design inside. We went at night around 10, was full inside so we sat outside with the heat lamps. My group was 7, and they were able to accommodate!

I love this place!! You can really tell all the work that went into this bar, design and the one-of-a-kind drinks on the seasonal menu is amazing. Love the Asian theme - reminds me of the 50s. Space is comfortable and the bartender is super cute and has a super cute uniform - a traditional Korean hanbok! It's open during the day too, with a lot of natural light it's perfect for studying. The Lotus Breeze cocktail (I think?) for this Summer/Fall 2018 season is highly recommended.

This is one of the best cocktail bars and bar experiences I've had in a long time! Every single cocktail my friend and I had was delicious and exciting (we wanted to try all of em and if this spot had a sample package I'd have bought it). The decor is gorgeous. One of the bartenders did such a great job keeping track of who all standing arrived first and called them over for seats at the bar, in spite of it being so busy. The crowd was pretty cool too. Highly recommend

Watch out for their idiot bouncer—was falsely accused of having a fake ID and refused entry when I’m clearly 29 years old with a standard New York issued ID. Never had this happen in my life until Reception Bar. Train your staff or use an ID scanner before making false accusations! Unbelievable, the wrinkles on my forehead weren’t evidence enough Bring your birth certificate to enter this bar!
Service: 1

Imagine a star trek bar. You might get assimilated by the Borg but beforehand you would get cool drinks with highly unusual tastes. This is def not a theme bar, it just has the vibe of fascinating people congregating from around the galaxy in a minimalist, futuristic space. Bartenders exude intimidating amounts of coolness and look like they have phasers/frightening amounts of hand to hand combat skills. 5/5

This trendy bar was packed to the gills on my Saturday visit, and the induced migration from tiny table to tiny table while we waited for seats was a little confusing. The cocktails were delicious, though. In the end, it wasn't the most comfortable bar experience - the space was sticky and humid despite near-freezing temps outside and the volume was just too loud to hear my partner immediately beside me.

The bar itself was very cute and had great aesthetic. The drinks were creative and interesting. Only downfall was the staff and their lack of warmth and welcoming, my friend and I both wish that they were more friendly and that they provided better customer service. We got the yuja 88 and the lotus breeze. Both were very delicious but I will say the yuja 88 is a bit stronger than the lotus breeze.

Excellent offerings, aesthetic, vibe. Delicious, house made, and reasonable. Terrific and cohesive concept. The only things keeping me from returning are the terrible acoustics. They need to lay down some rugs, carpet, or some sound absorbing panels in the corners. Polished concrete floor is like a noise trampoline. Doesn't matter how full it is, you'll go deaf if you stay in here too long.

Drinks are okay but service is a joke. Waiter has serious attitude issue. Practically no service, did not show us the receipt and automatically put in a 20% tips minimum (because we, just 4 persons, are a “large party”) without even telling us and was expecting us to put in additional tips. Deceitful and cheap. Don’t think I’d come here again for sure.
Food: 3
Service: 1

Casual yet charming beginning or end to any night. Menu boasts complex soju and makgeolli concoctions served by hospitable staff. My serving of the "Smokes", featuring pine smoked lapsang soju, korean pear shrub, eucalyptus bitters, started vinegary and fizzy but finished like a caramelized pear: part health tonic, part aperitif, part dessert. Would absolutely return to try more.

This place is beautiful! The music is incredible and the staff is welcoming and always on their A game. Their drinks are unique but many are quite bitter. I had one with melon but it was hard to drink! I think they could use some sprucing up. Their IPAs are very good though so I'll definitely be back for the music and beers! Definitely a must try in the neighborhood.

Surprisingly pleasant. They have some unique approaches on infusing tea into alcohol here. Drinks are made by a pleasant bartender (pre-covid era) in an overall inviting environment. Worth a stop. No food. There are some great pizza stops in the area if you get inebriated though, so there's that and they are "somewhat" okay with allowing food inside the bar.

Amazing place to check out great architecture, good music and GREAT drinks. We were served by the same person both times and she was very good. Fancy but nonchalant at the same time - crowd is very fit but definitely on the cooler side. All drinks are $14 and have all different flavors with overall great quality. It’s a place to go often.

Unique cocktails that you almost surely can't find elsewhere. I'd almost call some of them "experimental" in a way, so it's definitely the place to stretch your palette. I didn't care so much for one of their saltier cocktails, but I'm sure some people like them. Overall it was a great experience and break from the standard cocktail bar.

The interior and exterior of this place is beautiful. The drinks here are absolutely delicious! Very complex and nuanced flavor profiles and they not only offer a great selection of soju based cocktails, they have a selection of non-alcoholic "tonics" that are good for you! I have to go back to try their soju flight. Highly recommend.

Really cute, aesthetic bar. Nice for casual hangs or date. Also great if you want to grab a drink but don't want strong drinks since they're mainly soju based.
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 4
Service: 4
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Ginger Goblin, Lotus Breeze, Scarr' Pizze Garlic Knots

Fantastic unique cocktails, truly soju specialists in every regard. A playlist that doesn't miss with indoor and outdoor seating set in a well-crafted aesthetic, Reception Bar is always a great time. Collaboration with Scarr's down the block is absolutely delicious: Garlic knots and pineapple kimchi

Came here with some friends on a Friday night. It was very busy but the staff made an effort to move us to better seats when available - so we started standing, but then eventually got moved to seating. My party got the yuja, matcha, and cereal milk cocktails, and everyone seemed to like what they got!

I have a personal metric for measuring how nice a bar is, which is how the bouncers treat you. This bar scored 5/5 with that regard even at a busy Saturday night. Not to mention extremely interesting and tasty cocktails they have inside all made with a soju base. A good and elaborate cocktail spot!

Vibes are zen, service is excellent, drinks are strong except you’d never be able to tell. A very unique concept and a complete gem. My friends and I loved every single cocktail we got - my personal favorite was Incheon, which tasted like a strawberry milkshake. Drinks never flowed so easily :)

Chill vibe and amazing drinks. If you're tired of getting the same old American cocktails, definitely try this place. They have really creative, delicious Asian flavors infused in their cocktails. Can't taste the alcohol at all, but definitely packs a punch. New favorite bar!

Honestly drinks were pretty good, but they charged us a large party fee with only 4 people and never let us know. The waiter also had a very bad attitude, felt like I was asking him a favor or inconveniencing him just to order a drink.
Price per person
$50–100

I come here literally every time I’m in LES / Chinatown. Drinks are very good and also not too strong alcohol content wise because they’re mostly soju based. This place is usually REALLY popular on weekends though so you’ll probably be outside or waiting for a table

Wow! I was against of any mix or cocktails all my life... but after I visit the Reception Bar I change my way of drinking! Young Blood was fire! Ginger Goblin - cool me off. Matcha Meadow elevated and I finish my eve with Ink! Can’t wait to comeback - ama omg stuff!

So I liked this place a lot but their AC does not work and I was sweating the entire time. Could only stay for 1 drink which was good but like, nobody wants to sweat while drinking or on a date… not enjoyable.
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 2

Very cool vibe, quite interesting and cocktails you wont get elsewhere. Layout is a bit strange, and tonight they had one bartender who, with the complex drinks, just be prepared to wait a long time to even ask for your drink. Another hand would help immensely...

Lovely stop for a quiet drink and some small bites. Ordered the cereal milk and cream puffs, and both were tasty. Wish I had taken photos, but the interior was also very cute. Makes for a nice date night or spot to meet friends for quick drinks.

Really cool place with great soju cocktails, chic vibes and good music. The staff is always super helpful —they've managed to accommodate our group of 5 in several occasions.
Price per person
$30–50
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 4

Romantic space with fancy cocktails featuring soju. Service was a little slow on a Saturday, but staff was nice. Space is a bit limited and tight, so I don't recommend it for groups. Pre-dinner cocktails on a date night for 2 would be perfect.

New favorite spot in LES. Delicious and inventive soju-based cocktails (the lotus breeze is a favorite!) in a gorgeous space, including an amazing heated outdoor area. Amazing owner, friendly staff, and an elevated but fun/unpretentious vibe.

One of a kind! A refreshing take on a cocktail bar with fun and innovative drinks, both alcoholic and virgin. Extremely knowledgeable and professional staff elevate the mood even more. Very inspiring to see the owner’s story come through!!!

Service was great. Our server was very nice and knowledgeable. The area near the kitchen at the booth that seats 5 people, smelled like heated plastic every time the kitchen used their air fryer. Drinks are alright nothing mind blowing.

Really great cold brew. I didn’t get to have a drinky drink. But if the cold brew or AMAZING customer service is any indication this is a must try. Everything is super clean and new as well. Super cool. Quiet spot. Good music as well.

Waited 25 minutes for our drinks. Also saw they don’t recycle, they put glass in the same container as trash. That’s awful. One last thing, they get their dumplings from a bag and microwave them. Enjoy your $9 frozen dumplings.

LOVE! Saturday night @ 9:30pm had seating for me + several friends. first time - was there for nearly 3 hours - would have stayed all night! Cocktails were SO good, service was great, music was amazing…can’t wait to come back.

Jonathan’s such a great bar tender! The vibes are perfect! The matcha meadow is delicious
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Matcha Meadow

Only go if you LOVE tea. Avoid in every other circumstance. I truly don't believe in wasting alcohol. We left the Soju flight half empty. Almost ruined our Friday.
Food: 3
Service: 1
Atmosphere: 4

Exceptional cocktail bar. Love everything they are doing here from the minimalist design, to the mixology, to the music, to the level of service and dedication to making great drinks. Big fan, would absolutely return.

Great vibes. Perfect for groups. Indoor and outdoor seating. Some bar bites
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Scarr' Pizze Garlic Knots

Definitely one of the most unique and coolest bars in the city. The original cocktails and ambience were so refreshing to taste and see among other places in town. Hands down has become my new favorite go-to bar!

Amazing soju based coctails — too easy and tasty to drink, staff is nice and attentive
Price per person
$30–50
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5
Recommended dishes
Lotus Breeze

Reception offers 1) intriguing menu and bonafide strong drinks; 2) casual, cultural, yet full swank vibes; & 3) good/friendly service. I suggest going on a week-night to soak up Reception and avoid any bustle

Awesome, unique drinks, cool atmosphere, and great/fast service. Only bad thing is that I wasn't able to drink everything on the menu in one night. Guess I'll have to go back to try the rest of the drinks

Ordered two drinks: Matcha Meadow and Smokes; both were excellent. Creative cocktails mostly using Soju, a Korean liquor. Cute marble bar. I would recommend trying!
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Solid cocktail bar in LES. The drinks are creative and tasty. The only downside is they’re all soju based drinks (duh, it’s a soju bar) which means they’re about half as strong as a normal cocktail.

What an amazing modern bar serving some of the most delicious and creative drinks (both alcoholic and non)I’ve had. The service is always so warm and friendly that its too easy to linger for hours!

A Korean twist on a modern neighborhood bar. This place is basically drinks only / they have a few bites but they heat them up in an air fryer, which is fine, but eat somewhere else…

Caught some vibes here, highly recommended! Keep in mind all the drinks are soju based for the most part. They also have house-infused flavored soju with like 8 different flavors.

Amazing amazing spot. Good vibe, great drinks, and yummy food. Really well designed space with reasonable prices. The menu feels distinctive and different which is refreshing.

This place is a gem. Very cool vibe, excellent cocktail menu, and if you ask the bartenders to show off their skills and make something different, they'll certainly impress.

Cool spot for Korean-style cocktails. Overall their prices are reasonable. Their specialized cocktails looked creative but the tastes were not that impressive.

i rarely go out of my way to get drinks but reception is an exception. they have great cocktails, decent beer options, good music and friendly service. love it.

My favorite bar on the LES, one of the coziest and most thoughtfully designed in the neighborhood. Go for the creative menu and beyond-friendly staff!!

Reception has these thoughtfully crafted Elixirs to give your liver and gut a detox from the bustle of New York and gastronomic thralls of chinatown.

Great sojubased cocktails !!love the ambiance and the lady bartender is so much fun. We got the soju infused flights and I had the cereal cocktail.

Awesome cozy spot! They’ve got really great unique cocktails that they keep updated with the seasons. My favorite so far has been the Matcha Meadow

Some update to the place, Round K cafe operates during the day time and interchange to Reception Bar at night! Really great place! come by at noon!

The coolest bat in town with the most creative cocktails and a chill vibe. I recommend this to everyone!
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

I wanted to love it but there was only one bartender (he was holding it down though!) and I got the wrong drink. Crowd was mostly younger 20s.

Amazing service! Great recommendations from the bartender and he stayed late to serve when he could have closed up shop. Absolutely fantastic.

Really cute Korean spot with amazing cocktails (try the green immunity one that smells like bell pepper). They serve ice cream and gyoza too.

Amazing cocktails, loved yuju 88, orchard st, and the cereal milk; the matcha one was refreshing but reminded me too much of the green juice.

This is the place for whoever loves a chill vibe, refreshing drinks and a good time! Very authentic and original drinks and friendly staffs.

Loved this Korean cocktail bar Cocktails were excellent If just 2 people, prefer sitting at the bar ✨ Authentic cool vibe

Hip spot. Service leaves much to be desired. Maybe I'm just too old now, but music was wayyy too loud (couldn't hear anyone speaking)

John is an amazing bartender. Drinks were delicious and well balanced. Space is beautiful and well designed. Will definitely be back

Fantastic take on traditional meets modern Korean elixirs. Definitely worth stopping by to relax and unwind in the beautiful decor!

The focus & attention to utilizing Soju in the cocktails creates such a unique drinking experience. Love all the staff too …

Such a cute bar with great drinks. Inventive, flavorful, and surprisingly affordable. Highly recommend for innovative cocktails.

Really nice atmosphere and unique cocktails! Loved the aesthetic and the service. Will definitely bring some friends here again.

excellent bar offering creative one of a kind cocktails, amazing bartenders - robbi rocks! - and a warm intimate vibe. super gem

They are asking for vaccines after one year Vaccines are not obligated they are recommended Never come back to this place

Very tasty soju based cocktails and laid back vibe. Easy to toss them back so beware, they're stronger than you think.

Crowded n expensive, but what a vibe, feels like everyone around you is doing something super cool with their life.

Never had Korean cocktails before, but I really enjoyed the drinks. Refreshing new new drink concepts and flavors.

Really nice soju based cocktails ,eclectic ambience. Wonderful flavours . Home brewed soju I guess, very unique.

Loved the vibe, the infused soju, and the bartenders. The melon dew was a favourite. Highly recommend this spot!

Wonderful small space serving fantastic Soju cocktails
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

Very unique drinks, great non-alcoholic options as well. Definitely try the matcha meadow and skinny shroom.

my favorite place in new york <3, they play dj fart in the club in the background hi aaron & lydia …

Great vibe and good drinks. Can be a bit crowded and service can be slow, but a great place nonetheless.

Really fun bar. Love all the soju cocktails..
Food: 5
Service: 5
Atmosphere: 5

They have a variety of flavored soju and cocktails based off those soju. The vibes are great here!

Amazing drinks, environment and music. The staff is lovely and kind. One of my favorite bars ever!

Hands down the yummiest cocktails I’ve ever had, so smooth and you’ll be tipsy before you know it

This place is definitely worth a 5 star but the General Manager is quite rude and inconsiderate

A chic and well designed bar. Drinks were delicious and unique. Great Interior and atmosphere.

All three drinks we tried were amazing and the people even better. Would go back for sure.

Korean fusion cocktail bar. Interesting. Should try once. The skinny shrooms was yummy