Wed 21 Oct
This was Wednesday, October 21.
Five familiar rooms, five door policies checked again this afternoon. These are published policies and Wednesday hours, not live seat counts. There may be a wait; we never hold tables.
We never hold, resell or book a table. Availability moves minute to minute, so go early rather than late.
Maison Premiere
Williamsburg
An oyster-and-absinthe room on Bedford Avenue, with a New Orleans fountain at the center of the bar. Start with shellfish and a slow drink; the full menu runs until 10:30pm.
The way in
walk in and ask for the bar, subject to availability. Wednesday: bar noon to 1am, full menu until 10:30pm, oysters until 11:30pm
Why we say so
Their site says “Walk-ins are always welcome at the bar, as well as in the dining room, depending on availability.” Wednesday falls within its Monday–Thursday schedule: bar noon–1am and oysters noon–11:30pm. The full menu is served until 10:30pm every day. The dining room and garden accept reservations; the bar is our way in. Homepage and hours page re-read today.
Raoul's
SoHo
The Prince Street bistro makes twelve burgers au poivre for its bar each dinner service. That is a reason to arrive early, not a promise that a burger or stool will be waiting.
The way in
ask for the first-come bar, not a reserved dining table. The bar opens 5pm and the kitchen 5:15pm; burgers are limited
Why we say so
Their site states “The bar is seated on a first come, first served basis at all times.” Dinner runs seven days. It says “Our bar opens at 5pm our kitchen opens at 5:15pm.” and “We serve 12 burgers at the bar during dinner service.” Dining tables book through Resy; no closing time is published. Re-read today.
Cocoron
Lower East Side
The soba-and-curry room at 16 Delancey makes a warm bowl the center of your evening. Come for noodles rather than ceremony; this branch takes no reservations.
The way in
walk in at 16 Delancey, not the market at 61. Dinner runs 5pm to 10:30pm, with last orders at 10pm
Why we say so
Their contact page says “No reservations are accepted at cocoron.” The location page lists “5:00pm - 10:30pm (L.O. 10:00pm)” and “Open everyday” for 16 Delancey. The market at 61 Delancey is closed Monday–Wednesday; it is a different branch. Both pages re-read today.
Fairfax
West Village
The all-day neighborhood room on West 4th makes dinner possible without turning every seat into an appointment. Some bar seats, indoor tables and sidewalk tables are set aside for walk-ins.
The way in
ask for a walk-in bar seat or table. Wednesday dinner runs 5pm to 11:30pm; join the name-and-cell queue if needed
Why we say so
Their page says “We set aside bar seats and few indoor and sidewalk tables for walk-ins.” Wednesday–Friday dinner is listed as “5pm-11:30pm”. If there is a queue, they take a name and cell number, estimate the wait and send updates. Indoor and yurt dining also accept OpenTable reservations. Re-read today.
Me and Paul's
Greenpoint
A neighborhood dive on Greenpoint Avenue, serving wood-fired Neapolitan pizza from the Paulie Gee’s family. Pick this when dinner should feel like stopping at a bar, not keeping an appointment.
The way in
walk in — the room is walk-ins only, Wednesday 2pm to 2am. Pizza service has no published cutoff; ask before going late
Why we say so
Their site states “Walk-ins Only.” and “Open 2 pm to 2 am Monday-Thursday”. It describes a neighborhood dive bar serving wood-fired, Neapolitan-style pizza. These are room hours, not a verified pizza-service cutoff. Re-read today.
None of these work tonight? Tell us what does — $12.
Your party, your neighborhood, your hour. One person researches tonight and sends three to five rooms with the way in, under 10 minutes.
We loaded every one of these pages ourselves before writing this. Check their hours again before you put your coat on.
Tonight’s five are here.