Spring Lounge

- 48 Spring St, New York, NY 10012

For New Yorkers and visitors alike seeking an authentic, no-frills bar experience, Spring Lounge is an absolute must-visit. Colloquially known as the "Shark Bar" due to its distinctive shark decor, this establishment is a quintessential New York City dive bar that captures the laid-back and friendly spirit of the city. Located at the intersection of SoHo and NoLita, it's a beloved local haunt that has been serving drinks for decades. Unlike many of the trendy, high-priced spots in the area, Spring Lounge offers a refreshing sense of comfort and a genuine, unpretentious vibe. It's the kind of place where you can relax, strike up a conversation with a stranger, and feel like a true local.

What sets Spring Lounge apart is its masterful blend of a classic dive bar feel with a surprisingly excellent selection of beverages. While you can certainly get a budget-friendly Budweiser, their draught and can lists are a testament to their love for good beer, featuring a rotating selection of craft brews from both local and national breweries. This combination of "cheap beer and good beer" caters to everyone, from the casual drinker to the seasoned beer enthusiast. The friendly and knowledgeable bartenders are a highlight, often praised in customer reviews for their sweet demeanor, fast service, and impressive pours. The atmosphere can be laid-back and quiet on a late night, or lively and buzzing during peak hours, making it a versatile spot for any occasion.

The history of this bar is as rich as its beer selection. Having been a bar on this very corner since the 1920s, the space has an old-school charm that feels authentic. The nickname "Shark Bar" comes from a former owner's love for fishing, with two model sharks and other aquatic decor still adorning the walls. This quirky and memorable touch adds to the bar's unique personality. It's a place that has survived Prohibition, power outages, and economic shifts, all while maintaining its core identity as a neighborhood gathering place. Spring Lounge has even created the "Early Morning Drinkers Society," a testament to their unique and welcoming spirit, where regulars can earn a t-shirt after 15 visits between 8 AM and 2 PM, embracing the "Life is short, drink early" motto.

In a city full of bars that can feel exclusionary or overly commercialized, Spring Lounge is a breath of fresh air. It's a place that welcomes a diverse crowd, from groups of friends catching up to people enjoying a solo drink. Its status as a transgender safe space and LGBTQ+ friendly establishment further reinforces its inclusive nature. For anyone in New York looking for a classic, unpretentious, and truly welcoming bar with a great drink selection, Spring Lounge is a neighborhood institution that is well worth your time.

Spring Lounge is perfectly situated at 48 Spring St, New York, NY 10012, USA. Its prime location places it at the edge of three distinct neighborhoods: SoHo, NoLita, and Little Italy. This makes it an ideal spot to stop for a drink after a day of shopping in SoHo's boutiques, exploring the quaint streets of NoLita, or indulging in the culinary delights of Little Italy and Chinatown. The bar is easily accessible from multiple subway lines, ensuring a convenient trip from nearly any part of Manhattan or the outer boroughs.

Accessibility is a key feature of Spring Lounge. The establishment boasts a wheelchair-accessible entrance, making it a welcoming space for all patrons. Inside, the layout is designed for a casual and comfortable experience, with plenty of seating available for groups of all sizes. For those who prefer to enjoy the vibrant street life, the bar also offers outdoor seating, a highly sought-after amenity in New York City. The ability to sit outside and people-watch adds to the overall laid-back and relaxed vibe of the place. Additionally, for those driving, there is a paid parking garage nearby, which is a significant convenience in a dense urban area like SoHo.

The bar's amenities further contribute to its reputation as a convenient and inclusive space. They have a gender-neutral restroom, a modern and inclusive feature that many patrons appreciate. They also allow outside food, a rarity among bars, which means you can grab a meal from one of the many fantastic restaurants nearby and bring it in to enjoy with your drink. The combination of a central location, a variety of service options, and thoughtful amenities makes Spring Lounge a practical and easy choice for a night out in downtown New York.

Spring Lounge offers a diverse menu of beverages, with a particular focus on a great selection of beer, making it a standout spot for enthusiasts. Their offerings include:

• Bottled Beers: A solid selection of both popular and craft bottles, including "Allagash White," "Duvel," and "Orval Trappistale."
• Canned Beers: A wide variety of cans, featuring local and craft favorites like "Bell's Two Hearted Ipa," "Lawson's Sip Of Sunshine," and "Sloop Juice Bomb."
• Draught Beers: A rotating tap list with a mix of classic lagers and craft beers. Selections often include "Pabst Blue Ribbon," "Brooklyn Lager," "Guinness," and various offerings from breweries like "Lagunitas" and "Fifth Hammer."
• Hard Liquor & Cocktails: The bar serves a range of hard liquor, with a particular focus on scotch and whiskey, including brands like "Macalla" and "Glenlivet." While their cocktail menu is not extensive, they are known for serving great cocktails.
• Wine: A selection of wines is also available, ensuring there's something for every palate.
• Non-Alcoholic Options: They also offer non-alcoholic beers like "Erdinger Non Alcoholic," catering to customers who aren't drinking alcohol.

Spring Lounge is a favorite among locals for several key features and highlights that make it a uniquely enjoyable spot in New York City.

• Great Beer Selection: Despite its dive bar reputation, the quality and variety of the beer selection, both on tap and in bottles/cans, are consistently praised by customers.
• Fast and Friendly Service: The bartenders are a major highlight, known for their efficiency and kind demeanor. The "fast service" ensures you're never waiting long for a drink, even when the bar is busy.
• Casual and Cozy Atmosphere: The "casual" and "cozy" vibe makes it a relaxing place to be. It's a no-pressure environment where you can unwind and feel at home.
• Inclusive Community: The bar is known for being an LGBTQ+ friendly and transgender safe space, making it a welcoming place for everyone. The crowd is diverse and friendly.
• Quirky Decor: The "Shark Bar" theme is a fun and memorable feature that adds to the bar's unique character. The hanging sharks and other aquatic decorations are a conversation starter.
• Sports-Friendly: With sports as a highlight, it's a great spot to catch a game. The lively atmosphere during big events is part of the fun.

For more information or inquiries, you can contact Spring Lounge directly.

• Address: 48 Spring St, New York, NY 10012, USA
• Phone: (212) 965-1774

When you’re looking for a bar in New York, choosing Spring Lounge is a great decision for several compelling reasons. The most significant is its authenticity. In a city where many bars are carefully curated to project a certain image, Spring Lounge is the real deal. It’s a classic, no-nonsense dive bar with a history that you can feel in its ambiance. This authenticity, combined with a surprisingly excellent beer selection, is a rare find and a major draw for those who appreciate quality without pretension.

Another strong point is the feeling of community. Reviews frequently mention the friendly staff and the laid-back crowd, making it a comfortable place for anyone, whether you're a regular or a first-time visitor. The bar's commitment to being an inclusive space is also a key factor, as it creates a welcoming environment for the diverse fabric of New York. This focus on community over trendiness is what makes it a true neighborhood gem that stands the test of time.

Finally, the bar's versatility is a major benefit. It can be a quiet, relaxed spot for a late-night drink, or a lively, high-energy place for a pre-dinner cocktail. The availability of outdoor seating and the "outside food allowed" policy further add to its appeal, giving you the flexibility to enjoy your time exactly as you want. For these reasons and more, Spring Lounge isn't just a place to get a drink; it's a place to experience a slice of genuine, classic New York City life.

Spring Lounge

48 Spring St, New York, NY 10012, USA