El Jefe Sports Cantina Introduce
Hello, New Yorkers! When you're looking for a spot that perfectly blends the excitement of a sports bar with the cozy comfort of a local hangout, El Jefe Sports Cantina is the place to be. Located on the bustling Dyckman Street, this establishment is a multifaceted gem, serving as a sports bar, a hookah lounge, and a full-service restaurant. It’s a place that captures the essence of a lively, Latin-inspired atmosphere, making it a go-to destination for many who live and work in the Washington Heights and Inwood communities. With its unique vibe and diverse offerings, El Jefe provides a welcome escape from the daily grind.
The atmosphere at El Jefe Sports Cantina is a key part of its appeal. It’s described as a blend of casual, cozy, and trendy, creating a welcoming and comfortable environment for a variety of patrons. Whether you're coming for a solo drink after work, a group outing with friends, or a date night, the ambiance is set to make you feel at ease. The sound of great music, often with a Latin flair, fills the air, creating a vibrant backdrop to your dining and drinking experience. As one reviewer noted, the vibe "transports you right off of Dyckman to a chill Latino and R&B spot to soothe the soul." This is a place where you can relax, be yourself, and enjoy the moment.
Beyond the atmosphere, the quality of the food and drinks is what keeps people coming back. El Jefe’s menu features a range of classic Latin and Mexican dishes, from appetizers like Mofonguitos Mixto and Coconut Shrimp to entrées like the El Jefe Burger and the classic Mofongo. The bar is a major highlight, with a reputation for a "great beer selection" and, even more so, "great cocktails." The drinks are described as "delicious and beautiful," a testament to the skill and creativity of the bartenders. This combination of a lively atmosphere, delicious food, and expertly crafted drinks makes El Jefe a premier destination on Dyckman Street.
El Jefe Sports Cantina is located at 186 Dyckman St, New York, NY 10040. Its address on this well-known street places it within a dynamic and easily accessible part of the city's Upper Manhattan area. Dyckman Street is a hub of activity, making the bar a convenient and visible destination for both locals and tourists. The location is ideal for a night out, with a number of other businesses and attractions nearby. The presence of both a wheelchair-accessible entrance and restroom ensures that the venue is welcoming to all members of the community, which is a significant highlight.
The accessibility of the bar is a major plus for New Yorkers. It’s situated on a busy street that is well-served by public transportation and is also easy to reach by car. The clear address makes it simple to find for anyone using a GPS or simply navigating the neighborhood on foot. This ease of access, combined with its welcoming storefront, makes El Jefe a logical and hassle-free choice for a spontaneous visit or a planned night out.
The central location on Dyckman Street is key to its success. It’s a place that feels deeply connected to the neighborhood's culture and energy. The accessibility and welcoming nature of the venue, including its accommodations for patrons with disabilities, demonstrate a commitment to serving a diverse and inclusive crowd. The location is an integral part of the establishment's identity, ensuring it remains a convenient and popular spot for many in the New York region.
Services Offered
Dine-in: Enjoy your meal and drinks in the cozy and trendy atmosphere inside.
Outdoor Seating: The bar offers outdoor seating, providing a great option for enjoying a drink and a meal in the fresh air.
Takeout: Get your favorite dishes to go, making it convenient for a quick meal at home or on the go.
Delivery: Have the delicious food from El Jefe delivered right to your doorstep.
Accepts reservations: Plan ahead and reserve a table, especially for groups or on busy nights, ensuring you have a spot.
Table service: The venue offers table service, allowing for a comfortable and relaxed dining experience.
Features / Highlights
Vibrant Entertainment: El Jefe Sports Cantina offers a variety of entertainment, including live music, live performances, and a focus on sports, making it a dynamic and engaging place to be. The dancing and sports highlights mean there is always something to do and see.
Great Food and Drink Selection: The menu features a variety of Mexican and Latin-inspired dishes, from Mexican tacos and entrées to delicious sides and desserts. The bar is known for its "great beer selection" and "great cocktails," which are highly praised by customers.
Cozy and Trendy Atmosphere: The atmosphere is described as a great blend of cozy and trendy, making it perfect for a variety of occasions, from a laid-back night out to a lively celebration.
Hookah Bar: In addition to being a sports bar, El Jefe also functions as a hookah bar, providing an additional amenity for patrons to enjoy.
Convenient Amenities: The bar offers amenities such as restrooms, and accepts a variety of payment methods including credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.
Contact Information
Address: 186 Dyckman St, New York, NY 10040
Phone: (646) 455-0155
What Is Worth Choosing
When it comes to choosing a bar and restaurant in New York, El Jefe Sports Cantina offers a compelling mix of great atmosphere, quality food, and delicious drinks. What makes it particularly worth choosing is the unique "vibe" that many patrons rave about. The blend of Latin and R&B music, combined with a casual and cozy setting, creates an environment that feels welcoming and authentic. As one reviewer noted, the bar provides a place to "soothe the soul," which is a rare find in a bustling city. The exceptional attention to customer service, as highlighted by a reviewer's positive experience with the bartender, is a strong indicator of the care the staff puts into creating a great experience. The praise for the drinks, described as "delicious and beautiful," solidifies its reputation as a must-visit for cocktail lovers.
While one review describes a negative experience with service and management, the positive feedback about the general atmosphere, quality of drinks, and the bar's unique culture is a key reason to give it a try. The wide range of food options, from appetizers to full entrées, ensures there is something for everyone, and the convenient service options like takeout and delivery make it a practical choice for any occasion. For a spot that offers great drinks, a vibrant atmosphere, and a place to watch a game or enjoy live music, El Jefe Sports Cantina is a noteworthy destination on Dyckman Street.
El Jefe Sports Cantina Menu
Desserts
- Caramel Tres Leche $8.00
- Oreo's Mousse Cake $8.00
- La Jefa Churros $8.00
With caramel and chocolate dip.
Sides
- Green Plantains \ Tostones $7.00
- Yucca Fries \ Yuca Frita $7.00
- Mashed Potato \ Pure De Papa $7.00
- Rice & Beans \ Arroz Con Frijoles $7.00
- Steam Vegetables \ Vegetales Mixto $7.00
- Sweet Plantains \ Maduros $7.00
- French Fries \ Papas Fritas $7.00
Mexican Lovers
- La Fajita Mixta $32.00
Grilled Chicken, Shrimp & Steak pan-seared with bell peppers and onions. Served with hot flour tortillas, rice & beans, sour cream, pico de gallo, & guacamole
- Shrimp Tacos $15.00
Three corn tortilla w/ grilled Shrimp, pico de gallo guacamole, topped w/ our salsa verde. Served w/ sour cream and shredded cheese.
- Steak Tacos $15.00
Three corn tortilla w/ Skirt steak "churrasco", pico de gallo, guacamole, topped w/ our salsa verde. Served w/ sour cream and shredded cheese
- Burrito Sabanero $18.00
Choice of Chicken or Steak with rice & black beans, pico de gallo, sour cream and guacamole. Jalapeños on the side.
- Chicken Tacos $12.00
Three corn tortilla w/ shredded Chicken, pico de gallo, guacamole, topped w/ our salsa verde. Served w/ sour cream and shredded cheese.
Entrées
- El Jefe Burger $16.00
Juicy beef burger w/ bacon, Swiss cheese, caramelized onions, Jele's mayo sauce, lettuce & tomato served w/ french fries.
- Mofongo $28.00
Fried mashed green plantain topped with your choice of Chicken, Skirt Steak or Shrimp
- Camarones A Tu Modo $28.00
Shrimp your way: Breaded, Grilled, or Seared in Garlic sauce, add Lobster Tail for an additional charge
- Salmon $28.00
Grilled to your temperature topped with our house special lobster sauce, served w/ mixed vegetables
- Red Snapper $26.00
Fried whole Red Snapper served w/ a side of your choice.
- Puebla Grilled Chicken Breast $24.00
Grilled Chicken Breast Glazed w/our special mushroom sauce served w/ a side of your choice.
- Pasta Alfredo $22.00
Fettuccine in Alfredo sauce w/ your choice of Chicken or Shrimp
- El Churrasco $32.00
Skirt steak grilled to your perfection. Served with cassava mashed topped with pico de gallo **Add Shrimp or Lobster for an additional charge
- Yuccafongo $28.00
Fried Mashed Cassava "Yucca topped with your choice of Chicken, Skirt steak "churrasco" or Shrimp
Appetizers
- Mofonguitos Mixto $16.00
Three fried mashed green plantains mini baskets filled with shrimp, chicken and steak.
- Lobster Mac & Cheese $18.00
Creamy Mac & Cheese w/ Lobster.
- Nachos Bowl $18.00
Tortilla chips, Monterey jack cheese, black beans, w/ your choice of Chicken or Steak, topped with sour cream pico de gallo, & guacamole
- Coconut Shrimp $15.00
Breaded coconut shrimp served with a sweet chili mango sauce
- Guacamole & Chips $14.00
Homemade guacamole with corn tortilla
- Quesadilla $15.00
Flour tortilla, w/ Chicken, Monterey jack cheese, served w/sour Cream pico de gallo & guacamole. Options w/ Shrimp or Steak for an extra charge.
- Empanadas (3) $12.00
Choice of Chicken, or Ground Beef Please Select One.
- Flautas $16.00
Crispy filled corn tortilla with your choice of chicken or steak topped with lettuce, sour cream, and pico de Gallo.
- Fried Calamari $12.00
Breaded calamari with marinara sauce.
- Chicken Wings $12.00
Choice of sauce: BBQ, Spicy Buffalo or Sweet chili sauce. Option of 12 wings for an additional charge
Pa' Compartir
- Picadera $45.00
Party favorite to share with loved ones. Served w/ Cheese nachos, Fried calamari, Buffalo Wings, Coconut shrimp, Beef and Chicken empanadas.
- La Parrillada Del Jefe $95.00
The ultimate grilled platter to share. Served with BBQ ribs, Churrasco, Chicken breast, Shrimp, Lobster tail, Chorizo, Yucca fries and Tostones.
Salads
- Caesar Salad $12.00
Romaine lettuce, Caesar dressing and garlic season croutons. **Add Chicken, Steak or Shrimp for an additional charge, Choose one
- Mexican Chopped Salad $12.00
Romaine lettuce, onions, corn, cherry tomato, and avocado. **Add Chicken, Steak or Shrimp for an additional charge, Choose one
El Jefe Sports Cantina Details
Service options
- Outdoor seating
- Delivery
- Takeout
- Dine-in
Highlights
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Live music
- Live performances
- Sports
Popular for
- Solo dining
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Dancing
- Food
- Food at bar
- Happy hour drinks
- Happy hour food
- Hard liquor
- Wine
Dining options
- Outside food allowed
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
- Tourists
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
El Jefe Sports Cantina Photos










El Jefe Sports Cantina Location
El Jefe Sports Cantina
186 Dyckman St, New York, NY 10040, USA
El Jefe Sports Cantina Reviews
bottleshookahtipbrunchDJbirthdaymanagementsecurityhappy hourmale
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1If I were to give El Jefe a rating on drinks only, it would be a five out of five. This place has the vibe, the service, and the goods that transport you right off of Dyckman to a chill Latino and R&B spot to soothe the soul.We arrived around 3PM and Happy Hour was in full effect. There weren’t many people there—us and an interesting man with a slick back do. This is significant because the guy, usually someone that most would have ignored, received exceptional attention from the bartender. When you show up and chill at the bar, let’s face it, the bartender is more than a sever, this is an underpaid therapist. Let it be noted, she served in this capacity for at least an hour with him and others for the evening. There—the culture is right.The drinks are a treat in this little corner on the block. I would have never guessed, but they were delicious and beautiful.I’m glad I wandered in this time but I will be intentional and see this spot next around!
July 16 · Temeika Beasley SpruiellsThis experience left a terrible impression. We paid $20 each to get in. We sat at an open table up front and were told we had to order food to sit there. We ordered wings and drinks to start, planning to order more. Moments later, the hostess questioned our server right in front of us, then came over and said, “No, no! One app and one drink isn’t enough to sit here!” It felt rude and unnecessary.Trying to smooth things over, we ordered more— another appetizer and additional drinks. But things only got worse. While using the restroom upstairs, our server followed us and asked how we planned to pay. We asked if they accepted Apple Pay—they didn’t—so we asked about an ATM. When we came back down, security was waiting for us like we were trying to skip a $50 tab. We were embarrassed and confused.Then came the most bizarre part: the manager refused Apple Pay and Zelle and said there were no electronic options. Who doesn’t accept Apple Pay in 2025 they need to update their card terminals. But after a kind man saw what was happening and paid $70 in cash for our tab, the story suddenly changed. Our server told us we were all set—but as we were leaving, the manager stopped us and insisted we now Zelle him personally, even though the bill had already been paid. So first Zelle wasn’t allowed—and then suddenly he wanted it sent directly to his own Zelle account? Completely unprofessional and shady. We sent it just to not cause any more problems.This place is a mess. The staff was rude, the management was sketchy, and the whole interaction was uncomfortable. I wouldn’t recommend this place to anyone.
July 13 · China LindaMy first and last visit here. Bad customer service on behalf of the hostess and bartenders. Myself and a friend came in on a Thursday night that wasn’t too busy. We were told we could only sit at the bar. I asked the hostess a few times if we could sit at a table (which there were plenty) and order food, but she said we had to sit at the bar. We waited for 15 minutes as we watched the bartenders socialize amongst themselves and serve other customers. One bartender made a hand gesture to us as if saying “one moment” but she still didn’t come over and take our order. Meanwhile, we noticed the same hostess seat two women at the table behind us….I hate to even think this, but it felt racially motivated. The only other black customers were at the corner of the bar and they hadn’t been served either. We decided to leave. In this economy, we work too hard to even attempt to spend money at a place that clearly didn’t want our business. Especially in Dyckman, that has many other options for drinks/food/music.I suggest that anyone of a darker complexion (even if you speak Spanish…) avoid this place entirely. We went down the block to Room 151 and were treated with the respect we deserve.
July 07 · Tiye S.Terrible experience due to the lack of attention from the bartender. Nasty behavior and terrible vibes from her. Not friendly at all and she made it very obvious she had more preference with males than females. The specific date was Thur, Aug 14th, 2025 at around 11pm. Her behavior was so terrible, we decided to leave after just one drink. Do not recommend this place at all!!! Fix your attitude and learn how to be professional and attentive to your guests.
August 20 · Wilda VillanuevaTerrible customer service. Absolutely do not waste your time or money here. I came in specifically because of a promotion they advertised all over their website — a happy hour $6 margarita special. Sounds great, right? Well, apparently not to the staff. When I asked about it, they looked at me like I was speaking another language and flat out refused to honor it. No explanation, no apology, just a smug that’s not available as if I had made it up.I even pulled up the ad on my phone, showed them their own website, and was told, “We don’t control that.” Excuse me? How do you not control your own website? That’s either blatant false advertising or sheer incompetence maybe both.To top it off, only the security guard was nice. The bartender and manager were rude.If I could give zero stars, I would. Never coming back.False advertisements.
May 05 · Foodie Girl
More restaurants near me

120 Nagle Ave, New York, NY 10040, USA

141 Nagle Ave, New York, NY 10040, USA

94 Nagle Ave, New York, NY 10040, USA

121 B Nagle Ave, New York, NY 10040, USA

82 Nagle Ave, New York, NY 10040, USA

82 Nagle Ave, New York, NY 10040, USA

74 Nagle Ave, New York, NY 10040, USA

4600 Broadway, New York, NY 10040, USA

7 Hillside Ave, New York, NY 10040, USA

4532 Broadway, New York, NY 10040, USA

4500 Broadway, New York, NY 10040, USA

1653 St Nicholas Ave, New York, NY 10040, USA
Categories
Top Visited Sites






Trending Dining Insights Posts





