Verlaine

Verlaine is a LES staple. I've been coming here for years, for one thing only.... Their Lychee Martini's, truly one of the best in the city! If you are looking for an unassuming bar that serves up one of the best Lychee Martinis in the city this is the spot. Not too sweet, and not too strong, it's the perfect blend! The acoustics are horrible but it's a bar, so what do you expect! The service does what it does, they bring you the items you ordered and the food keeps food in your stomach.... Nothing more nothing less. It's really that simple! LoLEnjoy!!

One of my go-to spots in NYC for cheap and yummy drinks. They do a $8 lychee martini and sangria happy hour (although granted I have never tried the sangria.... the lychee martinis are just too yummy)! Vibes are good - definitely loud and always bustling, but I've never had to wait for a table when going with a small group earlier in the evening. I really like the food too (chicken wings), and the bread pudding is one of my favorite desserts in the city. I love bringing my friends from out of town here - it's the perfect place to start the night!

I, like every single other person in the entire packed bar, ordered the very-strong-for-alcohol-intolerant-me happy hour lychee martini and liked it. I dislike vodka (all alcohol besides wine is nasty, but vodka is downright sinfully disgusting drinkable acetone) and this tasted more like a juicy juice than it did vodka, but I still got drunk from just one. 10 out of 10 for the chill atmosphere inside and a yummy drink! Yes, I'm still feeling the effect hours later (lightweight behaviour or this is a syndrome).

Came here on a Saturday night. Sat at the bar to try some drinks. The decor is interesting, I'm not sure how it fits either the theme. We were able to find a seat at the bar, took probably 15 minutes to get an order in. Tried the lychee martini and rose and red sangrias. The lychee martini was good, but a little off, could be the vodka used, and very sweet. The sangrias were ok, but really could have used some fruit. For $8 it's a good hh price for nyc. It's very loud, so I wouldn't suggest it as a date night place. I woke up the next day with a raspy voice.

Stopped by around 7 PM on a Tuesday night and the place was pretty full. No wait to be seated. Ordered the lo mein, chicken wings, and chicken satay. The food was very average. Both the chicken wings and chicken satay were not seasoned at all. Wings were crispy, but again no other flavor. It comes with soy sauce you can pour over which helps. The satay also the chicken itself was so bland, but the peanut sauce was good. It also came with coconut rice which was quite deliciois. The lo mein was the most flavorful dish we ordered, but it was a bit too salty for my liking. The lychee martini was very good. I like how they use the canned lychees and include them in the drink as well. The lychee flavor is strong and there. The rose sangria was good as well. The service is good. The server constantly checking in on us, etc. This is definitely a good place for drinks. The vibe is nice. Would come again for the drinks and maybe try other things on their menu.

We came as a group of 3 on a Saturday night for good eats and the daily happy hour deal. We were seated in the corner, directly in front of the staircase leading downstairs to the bathroom. It was a tight space; anyone sitting on the outside of the table had to watch their back for people needing to head downstairs. The ambiance and decor is very nice. It is quite loud, but that's to be expected on a Saturday night. By the time we left around 10pm, it was VERY crowded and difficult to walk through. The space is a bit tight to begin with, and I think everyone just rushed in to get the $8 martinis before it ended at 10.The $8 lychee martinis were the spotlight. Very strong and very good. We also had the short rib sliders which were great. Served on what seemed to be toasted Hawaiian buns so they had a touch of sweetness. We also had the honey wings and the sweet and spicy wings. They were fried hard and very crispy. Someone else had the kitchen sink tacos and said they were decent. What fell flat for me was the chicken curry. It appeared to have a coconut milk base, which I LOVE, but it tasted like they added an extra cup of sugar into the pot. Coconut milk lends a bit of sweetness to curry, but this was more than that. It was a bit sickening and difficult to eat. If it weren't for that, the flavor would've been good as it was seasoned well. The coconut rice was the perfect side. I was just disappointed that I couldn't finish my meal because the curry tasted like a dessert. Overall, I'd come back for a martini and wings early in the evening to beat the night crowd. The curry is HUGE no no.

The lychee martinis have been a 10/10 since I started coming in 2011. Such a fun spot!

Came here for a drink after my birthday party with 10+ people and staff were accommodating and drinks came out fast. Friends ordered wings and fries and we even stepped out for ice cream and returned. Someone did spill a drink and the floor was sticky but we were only provided napkins. Greatly appreciate walking in with a big group and I loved the real plants. Surprised at the very young crowd, like someone said below this spot was popular way before but I guess times are changing and I'm glad the place is holding up for the new crowd.

I will say this is the best place for happy hour because they have an actual happy hour that ends and starts at a reasonable hour which is 5 PM to 10 PM. Their lychee martinis are delicious. The customer service is pretty good. The ambience is very intimate but loud. This is a go to happy hour spot for me in the lower east side

Great happy hour that runs late. Good and strong lychee martinis. Asian inspired food, salsa dancing on some nights. Very diverse crowd that is a cross section of the new and old LES.