4.7
- 4.6Food
- 4.7Service
- 4.7Ambience
- 4.4Value
Noise • Moderate
2026
From the OpenTable editors: Fine dining is out and playful bar food is in at Bar Contra, a collaboration between Wildair’s Fabían von Hauske Valtierra and Jeremiah Stone and James Beard Award-winning bartender Dave Arnold. Go here for the centrifuge-spun cocktails and innovative, shareable snacks like sausage- and cheese-stuffed chicken wings. Grab a stool at the expanded front bar or nestle into a softly lit back corner for a dynamic, fun, and boundary-pushing Lower East Side night out.
Executive chef: Jeremiah Stone, Fabian Von hauske
Our AI assistant, Concierge, is here to answer your questions about this restaurant.
OpenTable reviews from verified diners
Reviews from people who have dined at Bar Contra.
4.7
Noise • Moderate
Ramsey
Dallas - Fort Worth2 reviews
Dined on 26 October 2026
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Manuel
New York City1 review
Dined on 17 October 2026
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Shawn
Unspecified1 review
Dined on 3 October 2026
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Jen
New York City1 review
Dined on 2 October 2026
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Ryan
Chicago / Illinois1 review
Dined on 28 September 2026
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Matthew
New York City1 review
Dined on 27 September 2026
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Jesse Gold
Jacksonville / Northeast Florida11 reviews
Dined on 24 September 2026
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Michelle Gold
New York City8 reviews
Dined on 14 September 2026
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Camilla Gold
New York City2 reviews
Dined on 11 September 2026
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Joseph
Los Angeles1 review
Dined on 11 September 2026
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Bar Contra is at its liveliest at the bar on Friday nights, guests say they usually try to sit at the bar on Fridays when Theo and his colleague are working. For a quieter, midweek visit reviewers mention popping in on a Wednesday; the venue is open Tuesday–Saturday from 5:30 pm to midnight.
Casual Dress, comfortable, informal attire is appropriate; nothing formal is required.
Yes, Bar Contra is a popular date-night pick, with guests calling it their go-to spot for cozy, intimate evenings and reporting special-occasion visits like Valentine’s Day.
Bar Contra's bar counter is the liveliest spot, while the darker back dining room tends to be the quieter option; seating can feel quite tight during busy service.
Bar Contra centers on a front bar/counter with a main dining room tucked behind it, reviewers describe a bar counter up front and a darker sitting room in the back, with the bar being the spot for the best vibes.
Try Bar Contra on a Wednesday or Friday, a guest who popped in on a Wednesday had a fantastic time, and regulars note they often sit at the bar on Fridays to catch favourite bartenders.
Bar Contra feels warm and inviting, with the bar as the center of activity and a cozier, darker dining room tucked in the back; attentive service and carefully balanced music keep conversation easy.
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