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Decibel

Critics' Pick

240 E. 9th St., New York, NY 10003
at Second Ave. See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-979-2733 Send to Phone

Reader Rating:
8.0 out of 10
|
5 Reviews | Write a Review
Scene: Sake / Soju Bar, Bar Food, Romantic, Swank, Sake

Photo by Noah Kalina

Map Rate & Review

Official Website

sakebardecibel.com

Hours

Mon-Sat, 6pm-2:50am; Sun, 6pm-12:50am

Nearby Subway Stops

6 at Astor Pl.; N, R, W at 8th St.-NYU

Payment Methods

American Express, MasterCard, Visa

Profile

Walk down a dingy flight of stairs to enter this low-lit, speakeasy-like highlight of Ninth Street's pocket-sized Tokyo. The wait staff prowls about with rock star panache, replenishing your box from a dazzling arsenal of sake. More than seventy rice wines of every conceivable price and type are warmed or chilled to intoxicating perfection, whether tossed down straight or sipped as a saketini. A plucky menu features over twenty traditional Japanese snacks and soups; try okonomiyaki, the house specialty pancake. — Matt Kelly

8.0

"Recommended"
Average Reader Rating
on a Scale of 10

80%	Would you go back?
80%	Would you take a date?
0%	Would you go on business?

Former Decibel-lover

city_rover from 10012 | Posted on 4/7/09

Overall Rating: 3 (Not Recommended)

I have been going to this small underground bar for the past several years because of its cool intimate atmosphere and wide array of sake, but NO MORE- WORST SERVICE EVER!!!!! We were constantly searching for waitstaff to ask for more drinks and waited twenty minutes for the check. Accordingly we did not leave more than 15% after which our server came over and asked about the tip. After indicating that we didn't really feel like discussing it, he told us that "15% is unacceptable" He then followed us to the door and asked if we had forgotten to leave a cash tip- REALLY? We had to explain to him that bad service= bad tip. If you don't like being bullied, you might want to have your sake elsewhere!

A Favorite...

nickcope from 02906 | Posted on 2/19/08

Overall Rating: 10 (Highly Recommended)

Hard to find, this dimly lit underground sake bar transports the lucky visitor to a parallel universe distinctly outside of New York City...like finding the perfect slice of pizza in Tokyo. Unless you are an expert, ask the server for a sake recommendation with your basic preference: dry/sweet, full/mild, etc. The music is always perfect for the evening. Amazing nights happen at Decibel...last time I watched David Blaine impressing his date with card tricks.

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