Toad Hall
“Great bar in Soho that offers great beers, cheap drinks and the opportunity to bring in your own food.”
“We walked into Toad Hall with 3 tween kids and Joe and smokey made us feel right at home.”
“Some say it's dive-y, some don't. For those that say it is…you really don't know what "dive-y" is.”
Toad Hall
Accepts Credit Cards: Yes
Good for Groups: Yes
Has TV: Yes
Price range.
$$ Price range $11-30
8 reviews
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Deep, dark, divey, and meets all your local pub needs.
Pool table in the back room. Great music – kicks off the evening with some old rock, and as it gets toward make-out hour they round out the evening with Marvin Gaye's crooning.
The bartender had a solid read on the crowd, and he knew I was not a beer girl. Made me some blueberry vodka lemonade that did the trick. He was chill, unpretentious, and honestly is the reason why I added a star.
I asked him about the name, hoping and hoping that it has something to do with Wind in the Willows. And sure enough, it does. And I love that.
Be sure to order pizza.
I've read quite a few reviews claiming this was a dive bar that serves exceptionally low-priced drinks. However, when I got here, it looked like any other ordinary semi-popular bar in Manhattan, narrow and over-crowded. Divey? Not exactly. Okay, an old rickety wooden floor, but a fairly kept yet aged wooden bar with functional bar stools that didn't have any broken legs or gashed top cushions, and candles on the tables? What's so divey about that?
I found the two bartenders to be somewhat rude and aloof. They looked at us several times and each time I was about to speak, they looked the other way or decided to serve another customer. Finally, a bartender asked us what we wanted. Two pints of Blue Point please. "That'll be $14." Cheap?? I definitely think not. $7 for a pint of beer in Manhattan is actually the norm if not expensive, especially during happy hour (it was roughly 6pm). And Blue Point is a local beer!!
It seemed like a nice bar to relax and have a drink or two. The pool table in the back was a nice touch. But with less than friendly bartenders and overpriced drinks, I didn't see much to like about this place. Unless I was not in the know, I'll take my business elsewhere.
Best unpretentious old school bar left in SoBlow!
I used to work around the corner from here for two years. Joe, Barry and Smokey are awesome. Once you become a regular, you're family. Especailly in a hurricane.
The place is old. It's a lil dirty. Hey, they are the oldest bar still standing in SoBlow. They were here when it was still SoHo. Before the DB's started moving in and taking over the area. They know how to make a drink. Old school.
Enjoy this place while it lasts. SoHo is going the way of the malls in the suburb. Like everthing else in the city that still has a soul, their time is running out. In the not too distant future, this place will be some gastropub run by a major restaurant group that has a DB of a chef with his own show on Vice or worse, the Foodnetwork. Mark my words.
**Bathroom: Two. Dirty but not completely disgusting. Hover for a 2.
This place, is a bar, like a real bar. I know that sounds pretty stupid but it's really the kind of dark, old school place that you think of. The bartenders are really friendly, it's small but not crowded and the music isn't loudly blasting so you can't hear, no strobes and an honest to God pool table that's decent. The beer prices to are cheap (super cheap given the area) and one of my group had been here before and was quickly recognized. Why we don't go there more often I'm not sure.
Perfect little bar to grab a drink and chill. I liked the rustic atmosphere and the service was good. They had a nice selection of drafts for such a small bar.
Toad Hall- I like you a lot and hate you a little.
The likes? I was looking for a little neighborhood place and Toad Hall fit the bill to a "T". Our server was attentive and quick with the drinks and even later in the night when we had to go to the bar to get our own drinks (this should have been a clue . . .more on that later) the bartenders were great- remembering our order even though the place was packed.
I liked the pool table in the back (even though my pool playing left much to be desired!) and here's a hint- if you are looking for a place to sit- there is bench seating in the back that makes it easy to find a place to perch and to catch up with friends.
So why do I hate you a little? First, the restrooms are just bad. Two unisex bathrooms situated in the middle of the bar make rest stop restrooms look good. The smell alone could make lesser women weep. And the other thing? I wish someone had told me that this city truly "never sleeps". When I finally looked at my watch and it was 5am and last call had still not been uttered- I knew I was in trouble.
Oh Toad Hall- how I love to hate you. And I hate my inability to leave you at a reasonable hour!
Great bar, great [strong] drinks, great time! Small but fun! 1 pool table at the end of the bar! I wish there was a bar like this close to home!