"We thought the bar opened at 4:00 PM, but when we arrived around 4:20 PM, we were informed it wouldn’t open until 5:00 PM. The bouncer’s attitude was discourteous and unfriendly. Since we were already in Chelsea Market, we decided to head up to The High Line to wait. At around 4:58 PM, we returned, only to be told again by the bouncer that the bar was still closed and that we couldn’t wait by the door. It was quite chilly outside, and there wasn’t a crowd, plus we weren’t being loud or disruptive, yet he remained extremely rude.
So, we retreated back to the street to wait for another couple of minutes. There was another couple there who had also experienced rude treatment. When the door finally opened, we headed inside and were seated right away. From that point on, our experience improved significantly. The waitress was friendly and attentive, and the old fashioned cocktail I ordered was among the best I’ve ever had. We really enjoyed the atmosphere and the decor, and overall, we had a fantastic time while we were there.
I can imagine it gets quite crowded during peak hours, but we appreciated having a table and a little extra space to ourselves. Despite the negative experience we faced with the bouncer at the beginning, I would recommend giving The Tippler a try—just make sure you arrive after it officially opens!"
