Penny Jo's Introduce
In the heart of New York's Washington Heights, a neighborhood celebrated for its vibrant and diverse community, a true hidden gem offers a unique and welcoming bar experience. Penny Jo's is a bar that stands out for its blend of cozy atmosphere, trendy vibe, and genuine hospitality. This establishment, which proudly identifies as women-owned, has quickly become a beloved destination for locals and a must-visit for anyone seeking an authentic and inclusive New York bar experience. It's a place where the energy is palpable, yet the setting is comfortable enough for a quiet conversation. As one customer noted, the music is at a perfect volume to allow for conversations without having to scream. This balance of a lively atmosphere with a relaxed feel is a key part of its appeal. The decor, including subtle nods like Wu-Tang signs, adds to the trendy and unique character of the space, signaling to patrons that they are in the "right place" for a good time. Penny Jo's is a testament to the fact that a great bar is about so much more than just what's on the menu; it's about the people, the vibe, and the overall experience, all of which this bar seems to have mastered with grace and style.
The essence of Penny Jo's is its commitment to creating an all-encompassing positive experience. The atmosphere is described as casual, cozy, and trendy, a difficult but rewarding combination to achieve. It’s a place that welcomes a diverse crowd, with a strong emphasis on being LGBTQ+ friendly and a transgender safespace, which is a powerful and important feature in today's urban environment. The bar is a popular gathering spot for groups, making it an excellent choice for a night out with friends. The live performances and bar games add an element of entertainment that keeps the energy high and the patrons engaged. Customers rave about the staff, noting that "everyone is amazing" and mentioning specific bartenders like Valerie who provide "amazing" drink recommendations. This level of personalized, friendly service is what elevates Penny Jo's from a good bar to a great one. The food and drink offerings are equally impressive, with a menu of delicious bites and a wide selection of beverages. The bar's ability to "check all the spots"—from the staff to the food, the vibe, and the music—makes it a truly special and memorable destination in the Washington Heights community. It's the kind of local spot that one hopes will "blow up but doesn't at the same time," preserving its hidden gem status while still being celebrated for its excellence.
Penny Jo's is conveniently located at 3898 Broadway, New York, NY 10032, USA. This prime address places it in the lively and accessible neighborhood of Washington Heights, a bustling area with a strong sense of community. Its location on a major avenue makes it easy to find and well-connected to the city’s public transportation network. For New Yorkers who rely on the subway, Penny Jo's is a breeze to get to. The 1 train, a key line in Manhattan, has a station at 168th Street, which is a short and pleasant walk from the bar. Additionally, the A and C trains also serve this area, with a station at 168th Street, providing a quick and efficient way to travel from various parts of the city. This excellent subway accessibility is a significant advantage, allowing patrons to enjoy a night out without the stress of a long commute. For those who drive, the area offers paid street parking. While parking in New York City can be challenging, the option is available for a quick and convenient stop. The bar's presence on a major thoroughfare ensures it is well-integrated into the local street life and easily identifiable, making it a reliable and appealing destination for a night out.
The accessibility of Penny Jo's is a key factor that contributes to its popularity. The bar is thoughtfully designed to be wheelchair accessible, with a wheelchair accessible entrance, restroom, and seating. This commitment to inclusivity ensures that the bar is a welcoming space for all members of the community, regardless of mobility. The central location, combined with these accessibility features, makes it a highly practical choice for planning an outing with a diverse group of friends. The bar's location in a lively and trendy neighborhood adds to its overall appeal, as patrons can explore other nearby spots before or after their visit. The convenience of being able to get there easily, coupled with the ability to make reservations, provides a seamless and stress-free planning experience. Penny Jo's successfully positions itself not only as a great bar but also as a convenient and accessible destination that truly understands and caters to the needs of its community, solidifying its place as a cornerstone of the Washington Heights nightlife scene.
Penny Jo's offers a well-curated list of services and a comprehensive menu that caters to a wide range of tastes and preferences, ensuring a memorable night for all its patrons.
- Extensive Beverage Selection: The bar provides a full range of offerings, including a great selection of beer (both cans and bottles), creative cocktails, hard liquor, and wine. Signature cocktails like the "Burning Sage" and "Gentleman's Companion" are particularly popular, as are the "Booze Free" options.
- Delicious Food Menu: Penny Jo's serves a variety of food items, including small "Bites" like "Baked Mac & Cheese" and "Bavarian Pretzel," as well as a selection of "Sandwiches" and impressive "Boards" of meat and cheese. The food is noted for its quality and taste, making it a great place for a meal as well as drinks.
- Live Entertainment and Games: The bar offers live performances and bar games, which add an extra layer of entertainment and create a lively and engaging atmosphere.
- Flexible Service Options: Penny Jo's provides dine-in service, with comfortable seating and table service. They also accept reservations, which is a great amenity for groups planning ahead.
- Happy Hour: The bar offers happy hour drinks, providing a great opportunity for patrons to enjoy their favorite beverages at a discounted price.
- Amenities and Payments: The bar is well-equipped with amenities like a restroom and Wi-Fi. It also accepts a variety of payment methods, including credit cards, debit cards, and NFC mobile payments.
Several features and highlights make Penny Jo's a standout choice in the New York bar scene. These qualities contribute to its strong reputation and loyal customer base.
- Great Beer and Cocktails: The bar is highlighted for its "great beer selection" and "great cocktails," a clear sign of the quality and care put into its beverage program. The custom and unique drinks, like the Sazerac recommended by a bartender, are a major highlight.
- Cozy and Welcoming Atmosphere: The atmosphere is described as a perfect blend of cozy and trendy, creating a comfortable space where patrons can truly relax and enjoy themselves.
- Inclusive Environment: The bar's identity as a transgender safespace and its LGBTQ+ friendly crowd is a significant highlight, making it a welcoming and inclusive spot for everyone.
- Delicious Food: The food menu, particularly the "Meat & Cheese" board, is highly praised by customers. The quality of the food makes it a great spot for a bite to eat.
- Exceptional Staff: The friendly, helpful, and "amazing" staff are a major feature. The personalized service, with bartenders offering great recommendations, creates a warm and memorable experience for patrons.
For more information or to make a reservation, you can contact Penny Jo's using the following details:
- Address: 3898 Broadway, New York, NY 10032, USA
- Phone: (646) 609-2216
Choosing Penny Jo's for a night out is an excellent decision for anyone in New York looking for a bar that offers more than just drinks. What makes it particularly worth choosing is its unique and thoughtful combination of a welcoming atmosphere, high-quality offerings, and a genuine commitment to the community. The fact that it is a "women-owned" business that is also "LGBTQ+ friendly" and a "transgender safespace" speaks to its progressive and inclusive values, which are highly valued by many New Yorkers. The food, from the "delicious" meat and cheese board to other bites, is a major draw, setting it apart from bars that only serve basic snacks. The outstanding staff, who are praised for their service and drink recommendations, elevate the entire experience and make customers feel truly valued. Whether you're in the mood for a well-crafted cocktail, a cheap beer, or a delicious meal, Penny Jo's has you covered. Its blend of a casual, cozy, and trendy atmosphere with live performances and bar games ensures there's always something to keep you entertained. It's the kind of local "hidden gem" that embodies the best of New York City's diverse and dynamic nightlife, and it is a highly recommended destination for a truly enjoyable and memorable night out.
Penny Jo's Food & drink
Cans
- Oskar Blues Wild Basin
- Austin Dry Cider
- Narragansett
- Modelo
- Carlsberg
- Jack's Abbey Post Shift Pilsner
- Jack's Blood Orange Wheat
- Cigar City Frost Proof
- Anderson Valley Gose
- Mikkeller Passion Pool
- Montauk Pumpkin
- Brooklyn Lager
- Jacks Abby Copper Legend
- Half Acre Daisy Cutter
- Mikkeller Subway Mosaic
- Oskar Blues Dale's Pale Ale
- Cigar City Jai Alai
- Oskar Blues Cannobliss
- Collective Arts Ransack
- Collective Arts Head In The Clouds
- Left Hand Nitro Milk Stout
- Guinness Extra Stout
Bottles
- Pacifico
- Pilsner Urquell
- Smuttynose Old Brown Dog
- Duchesse De Bourgogne
- Duvel
- Delirium Tremens
- Poperings Hommel Ale
Bites
- Baked Mac & Cheese $13.00
- Tomato Soup $8.00
- Chips Mornay $9.00
- Slow Cooked Bar Nuts $7.00
- Seasonal Hummus $12.00
- Bavarian Pretzel $13.00
- Fig And Goat Cheese Crostini $9.00
Sandwiches
- Muffuletta $12.00
- Herby Turkey $13.00
- French Onion Grilled Cheese $13.00
- Pastrami Rueben $14.00
- Caprese $13.00
Boards
- Meat $18.00
- Cheese $18.00
- Meat & Cheese $34.00
Greens
- Mediterranean Salad $14.00
Dessert
- Whiskey Brownie $9.00
Cocktails
- Ub Old Fashioned
- Copper Old Fashioned
- El Diablo
- Sparkling Mule
- Minty Mashup
- Old Cuban
- Smoke In The Garden
Wine
- Cava
- Prosecco
- Pinot Grigio
- Sauvignon Blanc
- Pinot Noir
- Malbec
Booze Free
- Berry Boozeless
- Hot Tea
Signatures
- Ub Old Fashioned $14.00
- El Diablo $14.00
- Clover Club $14.00
- Burning Sage $14.00
- Lion's Tale $14.00
- Rum Club Daiquiri
- Black Manhattan $14.00
- Gentleman's Companion $14.00
Seasonal
- Gold Fitch
- Pina Colada
- Minty Mashup
Shot Specials
- Slutty Gummy Bears
Bartenders' Picks
- Gentleman's Companion $14.00
- Holiday Rum Punch $14.00
Others
- Ub Old F
- Clover
- Reading Rainbow Sandwich
- Cheese Log $12.00
- Mango Posset $7.00
- Kick The Bucket
- Elizas Spirit
- Run Away
- He Died Last Winter
- Witch, Please
- Dark Energy
- The Dark Counts Dram
- Old Habits Die Hard
- Big Easy Brujeria
Penny Jo's Details
From the business
- Identifies as women-owned
Service options
- Dine-in
- Delivery
Highlights
- Bar games
- Fast service
- Great beer selection
- Great cocktails
- Live performances
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible entrance
- Wheelchair accessible restroom
- Wheelchair accessible seating
- Wheelchair accessible parking lot
Offerings
- Alcohol
- Beer
- Cocktails
- Food
- Food at bar
- Happy hour drinks
- Hard liquor
- Wine
Dining options
- Seating
- Table service
Amenities
- Restroom
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi
Atmosphere
- Casual
- Cozy
- Trendy
Crowd
- Groups
- LGBTQ+ friendly
- Transgender safespace
Planning
- Accepts reservations
Payments
- Credit cards
- Debit cards
- NFC mobile payments
- Credit cards
Parking
- Paid street parking
Penny Jo's Photos










Penny Jo's Location
Penny Jo's Reviews
pricesadditionwhiskeythursdayspacehappy hourbandareatiplive music
★ 5★ 4★ 3★ 2★ 1• June 29th 2025 back again and still lovelySo already went back for Father’s Day and yes I enjoy this place will definitely be here a lotPro tip ask for Valerie,although everyone will help you and assist in your service experience and everyone is amazing she recommended an amazing drink for me. She recommended the sazerac!!! Never heard of this before but it was nothing short of spectacular.I truly enjoyed my experience here from the staff the customers to the food to the vibe to the music to the energy in the room. This place checks all the spots a small local hidden gem 💎 I hope it blows up but doesn’t at the same time. The decor was great when u see wu tang signs you know you in the right place.Another pro tip get the meat and cheese board you will not be disappointed I promise this was hands one of the best I’ve had and I’ve had a lot 😂 I was truly impressed. I’ll be definitely making this place a spot I visit often I will be here atleast once a month. I will continue to update with what to eat and what to order and drink.Another pro tip never say I didn’t put you on.They have Brugal 1888 it’s one of the best rums you will ever have trust me!!!!I hope you enjoyed this review if you come please tell me what you think and what you had.Like always thanks for the support the likes and follows I truly appreciate it.Also follow me on IG @imbroke_eats and @imbroke_rob
June 29 · ImBroke RobNice place to drink and there are cheap beer options, but also whiskey variety.The Ambient is calm with the music not being to loud so you can have conversations without screaming.
June 01 · Arantxa Sánchezwe had the dirty martini and the chai martini and they were absolutely to die for! will be back. prices were great and servers were attentive without being overbearing. had a lovely experience and will be returning!
October 24 · Salem JenkinsFree Jazz/Blues pickup on Wednesday. Drinks are priced accordingly. Staff is awesome.
April 18 · Frank AlonsoBeautiful space with additional outdoor. Live jazz but I missed it. Can’t wait to delve into the food menu in the future. Looks soooooo gooood! Bartender Chris can make a freakin’ cocktail!
October 09 · Ani Corless
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