Solas

Wow - we had an incredible time organizing a party at Solas Bar last weekend. The owner Kevin was communicative, personable, and flexible. The service was top tier - with servers even walking around taking orders. It was even decked out with Halloween decor. My guests were raving about the space and the experience for days to come. We’ll be back!!

I had my birthday at the red room and the service was impeccable from the moment I reached out to Kevin to book the space. He let me organize a playlist and was flexible with logistics like headcounts. I even arrived late because of traffic but he was so accommodating and welcomed guests in anyway! The bartender was amazing as well and helped us have so much fun. 10/10 I recommend this place to anyone who wants to spend their birthday or an event here!

One good thing I’ll say is that the music is good, but the bouncers are extremely rude and racist. The bar was completely empty and the bouncers were aggressively questioning us and giving us a hard time getting in. We only stayed for 30 minutes and wanted to leave because the experience with the bouncers completely turned us off. We went to other bars in the area that were much more fun, affordable and with bouncers who actually treat people with some respect. Have been going to Solas since 2016, but now I’ll never return after my experience with the disrespectful bouncers.

I rented out a room for my birthday party in Solas and it was a wonderful experience! The person I worked with to rent the room was very communicative and the waiter serving the room was exceptionally attentive. It was a great space and the music was so much fun. Drinks were also great!

Kevin, the owner, was so kind! Threw a birthday party here in the upstairs lounge and everyone had the best time. Spacious, great drinks, friendly workers, and also free to rent out!! Would highly recommend for special occasions.

Had my 25th birthday party here, it was an amazing time!!! The owner, Kevin, and all the bartenders were so accommodating and kind. They helped me organise an open bar with specific menu, decorate and gave candles for my cake!

The structure of the bar is really cool with a joint dance floor and more private rooms/bars upstairs. Also the prices for drinks are pretty reasonable and good quality, definitely coming back!! And thank you Kevin!

Congratulations, you are the most disappointing place and experience that I've never had in four continents. The establishment's lack of professionalism is difficult to categorize—be it racism, sexism, or sheer negligence, it's unacceptable. Despite giving it a second chance, hoping not to judge the entire place by one individual's behavior, the subsequent visit was even more disillusioning. This establishment, unfortunately, epitomizes the lowest standard of service one could possibly find.

As a salsa and bachata dancer, I was eager to explore the dance scene in NYC during my 7-month stay. This venue, however, was a poor introduction. On my first visit, I ordered a Cuba Libre and was met with rudeness and mockery from the bartender, who showed no interest in assisting or understanding customer needs—a basic expectation in the service industry. On my second visit, I simplified my order to a rum and coke with lime, only to be told I had to purchase two drinks if paying by card. After a baffling interaction involving my ID and ultimately deciding to pay with cash, I left feeling utterly disheartened.

Even discussing my experiences with the party organizer did little to salvage the situation, leading me to conclude my visit prematurely after enduring an ambiance reminiscent of a gym in August.

In summary, based on my extensive travels to over 60 countries, this venue stands as the worst place for dancing or seeking a pleasant night out. For those looking for better experiences in NYC, I recommend visiting the Rose at 160w 25th, the stunning rooftop at 230 on Fifth, or the well-organized venue at 224 w 35th. As for salsa, Zafir Dance Company has proven to be a superior choice. It's my sincere advice that this venue reevaluate its staff and management practices, possibly even considering a complete overhaul of its business strategy to address these critical shortcomings.

1st visit 27 Dec 2023
2nd visit 22 Feb 2024

I shared the other places to let you compare

I've been here a few times now, and it's always pretty chill. Pleasantly surprised that my drink was only $11 after having bars like Joyface charge me $20 for the same thing.
Not much of a vibe both times I've visited- I've never seen it packed and it's not very popular to the younger crowd.
But if you need a moment to chill on a night out, this is a good place to regroup.