Rochelles
“Late night dance parties abound at this "secret" LES venue.”
“Brett ran the floor like a boss, fusing the perfect balance of no-bullshit wit with personalized service.”
“Around midnight it got pretty full but not overcrowded with some good looking people.”
Rochelles
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Bike Parking: Yes
Wheelchair Accessible: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Good For Dancing: Yes
Happy Hour: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Waiter Service: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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Lively, rowdy bar that is your typical crowded hot mess on the weekends. If you can get in, try the downstairs area for dancing. Good music and a bunch of wasted 20-somethings…can't lose.
Upstairs (first floor) is much more chill. I haven't spent a lot of time here, but it's a fun place to be if you're in the LES.
A really nice selection of liquor in juxtaposition to an embarrassing selection of draft beer (Stella and Sam Adam's Rebel IPA only), which apparently is $8/pint when it's not happy hour.
I'm not sure what this place is trying to be. But the staff seems nice. And the bar was clean and new, so that counts for something, right?
I really dig Rochelle's. A friend of mine swears by this place, and after a visit, it's hard not to see why. An unapologetic dive bar (with nicer upholstery) with creative and suggestive drink names, and a very casual vibe, Rochelle's is anything but pretentious. The clientele is a mix of older bros, women on their GNO and the more "alternative" crowds, but it all melds together quite nicely. Not my favorite crowd, but if you come with a big enough group, you can deal with it.
We came for a post-dinner drink on a Saturday. The cocktails were pretty on point, and came out rather quickly. Sure, there aren't any super exotic ingredients, but the cocktails were pretty strong and tasty. The drink descriptions were pretty funny and inappropriate, so I'll leave you to check the menu. We didn't try any of the food, but it looked and sounded pretty good and inexpensive, so perhaps something to try for a future visit.
The DJ, a stocky, yet tall gentleman with long hair, was excellent. He very unassumingly played a variety of hits, from the Strokes to DJ Snake, to Kendrick Lamar, and did so with seamless transitions. Seriously, I cannot stress how seamless these song transitions were. DJing non-house music is a lost art, for sure, so it was highly appreciated.
Service was excellent, even tucked away in the corner table. We got a lot a drinks at a pretty steady pace, and our guy Brett was constantly checking if everything was good. Prices were a little expensive for a dive bar, but everything tasted great, so no complaints there.
Overall, a great place for happy hour or a slightly more active low-key night. I'll definitely be back when cavorting in the LES or just meeting up with people for drinks.
This is a friend of mine's go to spot, therefore I've been brought here quite a few times and I've always enjoyed it.
The prices are a little steep, but welcome to New York City.
The first thing that I was put on there is their happy hour beer and a shot of whiskey special. The bar specializes in whiskey. The staff is very friendly. It's one of those bars where they cherish their regulars and hook them up. I've only been there a few times, but already feel like the bartenders are friends.
My friend lives for their burgers (Whimpy burger with fries). They are very good, but I can never finish them and my slow eating results in my fries being eaten by my friend. For this reason, we usually order extra fries on the side. The Frisky Fries & A Threesome is what they call it, which are parmesan and cracked pepper fries served with a 3 sauces…ketchup, cheese sauce and a garlic mayo type sauce.
The other day I tried their whiskey wings for the first time. They are in a honey bourbon glaze and served with sriracha mayo and they are absolutely delicious.
Overall, the place is a good time whether you go there on a Friday or a Monday. It's a chill spot with good food and drinks.
Spacious
Funny signs
Not that crowded
I saw someone bring a pie in so I guess that's a plus.
Huge center gap: everyone is either at a table or sitting at the bar. Maybe it was just that night?
Rochelle's
NY Manhattan LES
9pm Saturday 2nd January 2016
Four Stars
Rochelle's is upscale dive bar complete with a decent liquor selection, craft cocktail list, faux marble counter top, filament lights but an overall with a salty feel. There were a couple small groups of females. There were plenty of wait staff: 2 bartenders, a barback and a waitress. I sat at the bar and used my Whiskey Passport to ge a Willet Rye which had a nice spice and oak flavor to it. The bartender was knowledgeable and friendly.
They have some funny framed cardboard signs which probably shouldn't be repeated. However no matter how drunk you get abide my this sign "Do not fucking enter. Can't you read Employees Only"
I can't remember why I ended up at Rochelle's but my fuzzy memory tells me it was a friend's birthday.
Even on a bone-chilling January night, this place was packed at midnight when we arrived and I was pleasantly surprised by the scene. Rochelle is not responsible if you *ahem* "black out" and have sexual relations with a "fat chick" but to be honest, all of the females here were pretty good-looking and had style. On a side note, two of these girls did end up in a fist fight. The crowd in general was fun and lively. Causal with a lot of tattoos.
The six of us had no problem getting drinks despite the crowd and we loved singing along with the DJ. She was spinning a solid mix of classics that you would mostly hear at a karaoke bar, your hipster boyfriend's vinyl collection, or a wedding. Sounds cheesy but it worked.
This is a whiskey bar so be sure to indulge in what they have to offer. I love my Johnnie, but the bartender served me something else which I loved. Do I remember what it was? No. Sometimes things are meant to be forgotten…like the 70s porn playing on the wall.
Some of my friends made new friends here. New friends = shots and an invitation to go downstairs. Since I had to work the next day, I politely declined. Those who did accept said they had "fun".
One day Rochelle, I may return to you…after I decide which leather pants to wear.
Came here on a Friday night with some girlfriends for a fun night out. We went to the upstairs first, which was ok, just kind of your standard bar but then went downstairs. It's pretty small and very dark but the dj was awesome and had a blast dancing with my girlfriends. Eventually they bring out glowsticks and everyone's dancing and having a great time. Great place to go for a girls night out and dance w your friends, not a good place if you are looking to mingle with others!