Wildcard Bar

Located in New York, New York

Address: 238 E 53rd St 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10022, United States

Phone: +1 212-888-8003

Rating: 4.5

Services

Identifies as Asian-owned
Dine-in
Delivery
Takeaway
Great cocktails
Wheelchair-accessible seating
Wheelchair-accessible toilet
Assistive hearing loop
Wheelchair-accessible car park
Wheelchair-accessible entrance
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Food
Food at bar
Spirits
Wine
Seating
Gender-neutral toilets
Toilets
Cosy
Trendy
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safe space
Accepts reservations
Credit cards
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Photos

Latest NYC Bar Directory

Comments

Review 1 (2024-09-18 - Rating: 5)
This is one of my all-time favorite places to get cocktails!!It’s a hidden speakeasy and a townhouse which makes it super cool. Once you walk inside you least expect the glamour. The vibes are super fun with an array of masterfully crafted cocktails some of the best I’ve had in a long time. I definitely recommend this place.

Review 2 (2023-03-20 - Rating: 5)
Lovely place with a great ambience and lineup of drinks. Each cocktail I had was well crafted and delicious. Visually stunning drinks with an even more ravishing staff! Its definitely a place to pay a visit to if youre in the area. Also quality toilet paper.

Review 3 (2022-08-27 - Rating: 5)
Such an incredible lineup of cocktails. By no means am I a connoisseur, but every single drink (yes I tried them all) was amazing. Of course I think one of the best things about a cocktail bar is watching the drinks being made, so I recommend a seat at the bar. The staff is extremely friendly, and made a birthday celebration even better. Cheers!

Review 4 (2023-12-17 - Rating: 5)
Stumbled upon this gem when another bar on the street had a significant wait time. Worked out to our advantage as this place was super cool. The speakeasy was dark with rich finishing and provided an intimate environment. Drinks were good and the staff was friendly and accommodating to our party of four. Definitely will come back when we are back in town.

Review 5 (2022-08-31 - Rating: 5)
Wildcard reminds me of the early days of cocktail making in NYC. Within my 16 yrs in this industry I have seen many places come and go, and Wildcard bar has that classic fun atmosphere of a startup company passionate about what they do, with none of the pretentiousness.The cocktails are delicious and amazingly complex, while still delivering a classic and simplistic joy. Anyone from aficionados to novice will find joy in any of the cocktails.If you havent been here I would strongly suggest popping in for a fun night with friends, especially before everyone finds out about it.

Review 6 (2023-03-25 - Rating: 5)
Great ambience and interesting cocktail menu. I had the plum cocktail which tastes very refreshing and light. Its a good option if you dont want an overly sweet drink. The presentation is phenomenonal. The cocktail also comes with a free small plate of Japanese rice cracker snacks. I like the fact that my barista is a charming lady and I think she did a great job with my cocktail. I also like that the music is chill and not too loud, great for conversation and you dont have to yell. They also have a back room with vintage style couches and desks. Overall its a great hidden gem to grab a drink with friends and chat, go on a date, or even just do a solo drink after a long day. However the cocktail is on the slightly pricy side.

Review 7 (2024-12-27 - Rating: 4)
If youre looking for no-lines, no loud music, some aperitif, cozy, and a good selection of drinks - this is your place.

Review 8 (2023-07-13 - Rating: 5)
This was a surprise hidden gem we discovered before a dinner booking in the neighborhood - and what a find! It’s got a wonderfully chill and dark speakeasy vibe, very friendly service and delightfully complex cocktails. The theme is decidedly Japanese and many of the well constructed cocktails make heavy use of Japanese ingredients. A quick thank you here to the bar for introducing me to Mikibito, which makes for an awesome Negroni variation on the menu. I’ll be back!

Review 9 (2024-11-12 - Rating: 5)
I had such a blast night at this bar , drinks were amazing and bartenders were so nice. AT made our night and we had so much fun drinking amazing cocktails with Japanese touch 💙

Review 10 (2024-08-03 - Rating: 4)
Great vibe, drinks are a bit expensive and unique, but definitely worth trying. I definitely would stick with the more citrus drinks, I wasnt really into the bitter and savory options. I need to try the whiskey flight next time.

Review 11 (2023-06-01 - Rating: 5)
Explored very cozy and beautiful speakeasy bar. Loved our drinks, bartender was cute and supper friendly. Purple drink that we got was fancy and had glitter inside. We Will definitely be back🥰.

Review 12 (2022-09-13 - Rating: 5)
Amazing decor, delicious drinks, very friendly service! Overall, a great place to relax and hang out with friends. Ill definitely come back again.

Review 13 (2022-08-25 - Rating: 5)
Great service and unique cocktails. Matcha Kappa is a must try! Highly recommend!

Review 14 (2022-08-28 - Rating: 5)
A lovely little cocktail bar with fantastic drinks, great music and a delightful staff. Will definitely visit again next time we’re in town.

Review 15 (2023-01-14 - Rating: 5)
One of the best seek easy bar in New York! Recommended!!! So private, good cocktails and nice music.

Review 16 (2024-07-16 - Rating: 5)
Didnt try their food but drinks are good. Especially when youre into Japanese sake- this should be a no-brainer.

Review 17 (2022-09-08 - Rating: 5)
This Bar is so unique and is the perfect place to go if you want to have fun while trying something new. The staff are all so friendly and professional and the drinks are 10/10. The music was great and the seating arrangements are some of the cleanest and comfiest places to have a drink and chat that I’ve experienced in any bar.

Review 18 (2022-08-22 - Rating: 5)
Perfect place to chill, get a drink, and enjoy the ambience.Also the soap in the bathroom smelled so good!

Review 19 (2024-12-15 - Rating: 5)
The atmosphere is super cozy and intimate. The cocktail menu is extensive and extremely well crafted (recommended to try at least 1 sake cocktail), and the food is incredible (high recommend to the miso crème brûlée and the pate)! Definitely a new favorite place. Also—reservations are highly recommended to avoid a wait.

Review 20 (2024-05-18 - Rating: 5)
Already a fan! I love the martini, my new fav

Review 21 (2024-12-08 - Rating: 5)
Very cool place with a great vibe. Excellent service.

Review 22 (2023-01-16 - Rating: 5)
Absolutely love the vibe here! Cocktails are great and creative. Service is also amazing, much better than a lot of other bars in that area. Would definitely come back :)

Review 23 (2022-08-27 - Rating: 5)
Great place to have very unique and delicious cocktails. The Japanese style is integrated into the design of the space and the cocktails. The manager and the staff were open and friendly. It was a great night!

Review 24 (2022-08-30 - Rating: 5)
Fun and friendly staff serving up inventive cocktails in a chill setting with great music. Highly recommend if you’re looking for a fun date night out or hanging with a group of friends. Will definitely be back!

Review 25 (2024-07-02 - Rating: 5)
Great atmosphere. Crazy expensive cocktails but thats NYC...

Review 26 (2022-09-10 - Rating: 5)
Wildcard is an awesome tucked away speakeasy in the heart of midtown. They have an amazing twist on cocktails going from the classic old fashioned to contemporary matcha cocktails. I had a gin cocktail with rose petals and a gin martini with a twist - WE LOVED OUR DRINKS!Yuki, Mike and Rina hosted us with so much warmth and were very open to feedback. VB and I will go back for sure, especially to try their new beers and food menu.

Review 27 (2022-10-08 - Rating: 5)
Bonsai Plum and Tokyo Sunset are a must. Stumbled on this place waiting to be seated at Toni Jazz. Open concept speakeasy with friendly wait-staff. Highly recommend if you’re apt enough to find it.

Review 28 (2022-08-20 - Rating: 5)
Great place with great service and drinks! The tequilas are especially good highly recommendthese.

Review 29 (2023-09-24 - Rating: 5)
The most beautiful, coziest, and wonderfully intimate place. I adore the staff & highly recommend it as an after work/date spot. Cannot wait to come back!

Review 30 (2024-10-06 - Rating: 5)
Phenomenal atmosphere even better drinks

Review 31 (2022-08-27 - Rating: 5)
Tokyo city pop in the background; pretty cool drinks; awesome staff

Review 32 (2022-10-13 - Rating: 5)
Fantastic cocktails and vibe. Everyone’s so welcoming. Will definitely return!

Review 33 (2024-12-17 - Rating: 5)
Amazing staff, all the girls were very attentive and warm welcoming! Love all the japanese flavors in the cocktails and I would say its my favorite speakeasy !I highly recommend Bonsai plum and Shogun Margarita 🌷Yuki, AT, Coco and Rina were the best!

Review 34 (2023-12-14 - Rating: 5)
Awesome speak easy vibe

Review 35 (2022-10-13 - Rating: 5)
Friendly service and amazing cocktails!

Review 36 (2022-08-20 - Rating: 5)
The ambience is divine, the cocktails are amazing, and best of all the people were so great!

Review 37 (2024-06-26 - Rating: 5)
Epic cocktails with an amazing mixologist menu

Review 38 (2022-08-19 - Rating: 5)
Amazing cocktail!

Review 39 (2024-05-04 - Rating: 5)
Amazing atmosphere, great bartenders and service. Was visiting New York and ran to this gem and had the best experience.

Review 40 (2022-09-02 - Rating: 5)
Totally love this bar! Great atmosphere and awesome drinks.

Review 41 (2024-03-16 - Rating: 5)
Great vibe and creative cocktails! Fantastic service and ownership. Great date spot!

Review 42 (2023-03-15 - Rating: 5)
Great atmosphere and cocktails. A true modern speakeasy.

Review 43 (2023-09-24 - Rating: 5)
I had an amazing experience at wild card. from the moment I walked in the door I was greeted with great energy. The drinks were unique and perfectly crafted. On top of that everyone who worked there was extremely kind and made the experience complaint free. I will be coming back.

Review 44 (2024-03-01 - Rating: 5)
Im very drunk as I write this but Ive had veryGood conversation with the bartenders here.Its Def not wheelchair accessible, and I gotta climb several stairs to get up here.

Review 45 (2023-09-24 - Rating: 5)
Amazing service and drinks! The interior is absolutely gorgeous. Perfect date night spot! Can’t wait to come back again.

Review 46 (2023-07-14 - Rating: 5)
I’ve been here 3 times and every time it was a great every time. The service, the drinks, the vibe and energy are all high level positive. Today I was served by AT and Nur and they both were phenomenal to talk to, while also they explored ideas for new cocktails which was a cool experience. Anyone in this area should check it out

Review 47 (2023-02-25 - Rating: 4)
Pros: The cocktails are good, the servers are friendly and attentive, and the ambiance is nice.Cons: The cocktails are expensive ($20+), and I personally didn’t love the music. It was mostly 90s/2000s top 40s pop and R&B.

Review 48 (2023-07-19 - Rating: 5)
Lovely atmosphere as a hidden place. We enjoyed the creative Japanese style cocktails.

Review 49 (2023-07-22 - Rating: 5)
Very chill vibes, hidden spot. The epitome of a speakeasy, definitely worth a visit.

Review 50 (2023-04-21 - Rating: 5)
All female cast. Hanafuda theme bar. Kyoko San was fun. Will come back.

Review 51 (2022-12-31 - Rating: 5)
Very fun, very cool, very good drinks. Would happily return to this hip little oasis in Midtown. Especially dug the Japanese anime soundtrack.

Review 52 (2022-09-13 - Rating: 5)
Great atmosphere and lineup of drinks ofcourse.

Review 53 (2022-08-22 - Rating: 5)
Stopped in last night for a drink, staff was wonderful and the drink (lemon sour) was great. Atmosphere is warm and relaxing too. Will be visiting again for sure.