Drift In: A Premier Oyster Bar Experience on the West Side of NYC

Drift In Introduce

Perched on the waterfront in New York City’s West Village, Drift In is a a fantastic spot that offers the perfect blend of a relaxed atmosphere and a high-quality dining experience. This oyster bar and restaurant has quickly become a local favorite, known for its fresh seafood, well-crafted cocktails, and a vibe that feels both casual and upscale. It provides an ideal setting for New Yorkers looking to unwind after a long day or enjoy a lively weekend outing with friends.

Drift In's menu is a celebration of fresh, coastal flavors, with a strong emphasis on oysters and other seafood classics. The team behind the bar and in the kitchen is dedicated to providing an experience that is consistently excellent, from the first shucked oyster to the last bite of dessert. The ambiance is one of the restaurant's biggest draws—a perfect mix of trendy and comfortable, making it a great place to linger and enjoy the company. Whether you're a seafood aficionado or just looking for a great spot to grab a drink, Drift In offers a memorable escape from the city's usual hustle.

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Location and Accessibility

Drift In is situated at 389 West St, New York, NY 10014, USA. Its location on the West Side puts it close to the scenic Hudson River, making it an ideal spot to enjoy a meal with a view. The restaurant is easily accessible by foot, bike, or public transportation. While specific subway stops might require a short walk, the area is well-served by buses and is a pleasant stroll from other parts of the West Village and Meatpacking District.

The restaurant is committed to accessibility for all guests, offering a wheelchair accessible entrance, a wheelchair accessible restroom, and wheelchair accessible seating. For those with dogs, pets are allowed in the outdoor seating area, which is a great bonus for dog owners who want to enjoy a meal without leaving their furry friends at home. While street parking can be a challenge in this part of Manhattan, the accessibility and public transport options make it easy to get to.

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Services Offered

Drift In provides a range of services designed for a flexible and convenient dining experience.

Dine-in: Enjoy a full meal in the restaurant's vibrant and welcoming atmosphere. The bar seating is a particularly popular choice.
Outdoor Seating: For those who enjoy dining al fresco, the outdoor seating provides a great view and a relaxed vibe.
Takeout: Take your meal to go and enjoy it on the move or in the comfort of your own home.
Brunch: On Saturdays and Sundays from 10 am to 2 pm, the restaurant offers a special brunch menu, a great way to start the weekend.
Happy Hour: Drift In offers a happy hour with a focus on drinks, making it an ideal spot for an after-work get-together.
Kids' Menu & High Chairs: The restaurant is good for kids and provides a special kids' menu and high chairs, making it a family-friendly destination.

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Features and Highlights

Drift In is much more than a standard oyster bar, with several features that set it apart.

Fresh Oysters: The core of the menu is the selection of fresh oysters. With varieties like Wellfleet, Pink Moon, and Shibumi, there's something for every palate. The Oysters Champagne and The Grand Banks platter offer a premium experience.
Unmatched Vibes: As noted in customer reviews, the atmosphere is a "perfect blend of upscale and relaxed." It's a place where you can feel comfortable in a casual setting while enjoying high-quality food and drinks.
Great Cocktails & Bar Service: The onsite bar and its skilled staff, like the highly praised bartender Aaron, are a major highlight. The drinks and service are consistently described as excellent.
Diverse Menu: While an oyster bar, the menu goes beyond seafood with options like the Fried Chicken Sandwich and the Cheeseburger, catering to a variety of tastes. There are also vegetarian options and a kids' menu.
LGBTQ+ & Transgender Safespace: The restaurant is known for its inclusive crowd and welcoming environment, making it a comfortable and safe space for all guests.
Creative Small Plates: The menu offers creative takes on classics, such as the Caviar Tater Tots, which give a luxurious twist to a comforting dish.

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Contact Information

To book a reservation or for more information, you can contact Drift In using the following details:

Address: 389 West St, New York, NY 10014, USA

Phone: (646) 860-0964

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What is Worth Choosing

Drift In is worth choosing for a dining experience that combines exceptional quality with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere. It's a fantastic option for a variety of occasions, from a laid-back dinner with friends to a special date night. The excellent service is a recurring theme in customer feedback, with staff members being praised for their attentiveness, kindness, and helpful recommendations. This level of care truly elevates the entire experience.

For those who love oysters and seafood, the menu is a strong draw. The variety of oysters and other seafood dishes ensures there is always something new and delicious to try. The Lobster BLT and the Fish & Chips are great choices for a hearty meal, while the small plates are perfect for sharing. The happy hour and brunch services provide even more reasons to visit, offering great value and a different vibe depending on the time of day. Drift In successfully delivers a unique and memorable experience that makes it a standout in the West Village dining scene.

Drift In Menu

OYSTERS
Wellfleet $23.00
Wellfleet, Massachusetts. Shellfish
Pink Moon $25.00
New London, Prince Edward Island. Shellfish
Shibumi $26.00
Skagit Bay, Washington. Shellfish
Oysters Champagne $25.00
East Coast oyster of the day dressed with shishito, cucumber, and Champagne mignonette. Shellfish
The Grand Banks $75.00
The complete Pan-American oyster experience served with ramp, red wine, and Champagne mignonettes, cocktail sauce, and lemon. Shellfish. two dozen

TO START
Spinach & Artichoke $17.00
Marinated artichoke hearts, baby spinach, parmesan, crisp lavash. Milk / Wheat
XL Shrimp $23.00
Poached XL shrimp, aurora and cocktail sauce. Shellfish / Soybean
Caviar Tater Tots $26.00
Smoked Pacific Steelhead roe (1 oz), tater tots, crème fraîche, pickled red onion. Fish / Milk / Soybean

SALADS
Tomato & Watermelon $16.00
Heirloom tomato, watermelon, Thai basil, shiso. Soybean / Tree Nut
Caesar Salad $18.00
Romaine, kale, heart of palm, shaved parmesan. Add shrimp +15. Egg / Fish / Gluten / Milk / Soybean / Wheat

SURF & TURF
Lobster BLT $27.00
Maine lobster with herb, fennel, lemon, dulse emulsion, bacon, lettuce, and tomato on a griddled potato bun. Egg / Gluten / Milk / Sesame / Shellfish / Soybean / Wheat
Fish & Chips $29.00
Fried North Atlantic pollock with dill, caper, and cornichon tartar sauce, vinegar dip, and seaweed-salted galley fries. Egg / Fish / Milk / Soybean
Surf Club $21.00
A triple-decker of turkey, bacon, lettuce, and tomato on toasted Pullman bread. Egg / Gluten / Milk / Wheat
Fried Chicken Sandwich $20.00
New Orleans fried chicken, Captain's sauce, dill pickles, lettuce, pepperoncini. Egg / Milk / Soybean / Wheat
Cheeseburger $19.00
Black Angus, muenster cheese, tomato, leaf lettuce, quick pickle, and gochuchang aïoli on a griddled potato bun. Add bacon +3 Egg / Gluten / Milk / Soybean / Wheat
Lobster Salad $35.00
Maine lobster with herb-dulse emulsion on a bed of arugula and kale greens with red wine vinaigrette, shaved fennel, and pickled red onion. Egg / Shellfish / Soybean

SIDES
Big Pickle $6.00
Dill, garlic, coriander seed, white vinegar, salt, peppercorns
Marinated Olives $7.50
Kalamata olives marinated in extra virgin olive oil with rosemary, citrus zest, garlic, and Aleppo chili
French Fries $9.50
Galley fries, seaweed-salt, sage aïoli, spiced ketchup. Egg / Soybean
Fried Artichoke Hearts $15.00
Fried artichoke hearts, lemon aioli, shiso, chives, cucumber. Egg / Soybean

DESSERTS
Ice Cream $8.00
Toasted coconut and pineapple ice cream on a bed of flaked coconut. Egg / Milk / Tree Nut
Gâteau $19.00
Rich chocolate cake, vanilla bean ice cream, crème anglaise, and rum plumped raisins. Egg / Gluten / Milk / Tree Nut / Wheat
Rainbow Sherbet $8.00
Two scoops of rainbow sherbet, mini sugar cone. Gluten / Milk
Key Lime Pie $12.00
Key Lime Pie, New England blueberry compote. Gluten / Milk

BRUNCH (Saturday & Sunday 10am - 2pm)
Breakfast Tacos $18.00
Scrambled egg, hash brown, pickled onion, bacon, whiskey cheddar, calabrian chili aioli, corn tortilla. Egg / Gluten / Soybean
Pancakes $23.00
Buttermilk pancakes, blueberries, whipped butter, chamomile sweet cream, maple syrup. Egg / Gluten / Milk
Short Rib Hash $21.00
Crispy short rib, jerk spiced Idaho potatoes, sweet onions, fried egg, herbs fines. Egg / Gluten / Soybean
Yogurt & Granola $16.00
Toasted coconut granola, blueberry chamomile compote, honey vanilla yogurt
Breakfast Sandwich $25.00
Braised short rib, sherry BBQ sauce, pickles, fried egg, garlic toasted hoagie. Egg / Gluten

Drift In Details

Service options
Outdoor seating
Takeout
Dine-in

Accessibility
Wheelchair accessible entrance
Wheelchair accessible restroom
Wheelchair accessible seating

Offerings
Alcohol
Beer
Cocktails
Coffee
Happy hour drinks
Hard liquor
Organic dishes
Small plates
Vegetarian options
Wine

Dining options
Brunch
Lunch
Dinner
Dessert
Seating

Amenities
Bar onsite
Restroom

Crowd
LGBTQ+ friendly
Transgender safespace

Planning
Accepts reservations

Payments
Debit cards
NFC mobile payments
Credit cards

Children
Good for kids
High chairs
Kids' menu

Pets
Dogs allowed
Dogs allowed outside

Drift In Photos

Drift In Location

Drift In

New York New York County New York West Street

389 West St, New York, NY 10014, USA

Drift In Reviews

An average rating of ★4.1 from 441 user reviews.

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★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1

My friends and I went to Drift last week and had such a great experience! The vibes were unmatched—a perfect blend of upscale and relaxed. We sat at the bar, and Aaron, the bartender, took excellent care of us. He was kind, attentive, and gave thoughtful recommendations. He really made the night memorable. We’ll definitely be back!
April 30 · Kristin Smith
Excellent service. Staff is great, but specially Aaron. Drinks and ambiance very good. Recommended.
September 01 · Rafy Manso
The atmosphere was cute, and the location by the water was definitely nice. The service was great at the beginning, but as a solo diner—who usually prefers to spend less time than a group—it became difficult for me to close out my tab. I wasn’t sure if my server had left, so I eventually had to ask a host to help me finalize my bill. The food was good overall, but I found it a bit strange that they charge for tap water. I understand it’s for a charity, but as someone who ordered a drink and barely touched the water, I questioned why I should have to pay for it.
July 12 · Skylar Rose
Drift In is a seasonal outdoor bar on Pier 45 in Hudson River Park, offering stunning views of the Hudson River and New Jersey skyline. The setting is especially beautiful at sunset, with string lights, white umbrellas, and a breezy, nautical design that feels laid-back and inviting. It’s not a fancy place, but that’s part of its charm.The crowd leans young and good-looking—if that’s your scene, it’s a solid spot to mingle. Despite its size, service was quick and friendly. Our waiter was attentive without being overbearing. Overall, it’s a great place for an after-work drink or to catch the sunset by the water.
May 04 · Kai Tomzig
First time at Drift In and won't be my last. The service was great, and the staff was attentive and friendly. The cocktail was delicious and wound up having two. The shrimp was good, and I love both sauces that came with the shrimp.The fried chicken sandwich and fries were cooked and tasted perfect . I wanted to try some other menu items. However, I was full between both drinks and food. Much love to the staff and the manager Jason for making my experience at Drift In memorable.
July 03 · Trevor Bonner