Plug Uglies UES
Upper East Side-Lenox Hill-Roosevelt Island, New York City
Bar in New York City, United States
Book with PearlWhy go
Plug Uglies UES is the practical Upper East Side choice when the night needs an easy bar rather than a high-planning cocktail reservation. Go for casual drinks, late flexibility, group convenience; cross-shop NR for a more cocktail-led choice or Kaia Wine Bar if wine is the point.
About Plug Uglies UES
Should you go to Plug Uglies UES? Plug Uglies UES is a New York City venue with casual dress and late hours, open until 4 AM every day. If those are the practical details that matter for your plan, it can be a direct option to consider.
Plan the visit around those practical basics; casual dress and late hours; rather than making the decision hinge on a specific menu, drinks program, reservation setup, awards, prices, seating, or service style.
Choose it for casual dress and late hours
The clearest reasons to consider Plug Uglies UES are its casual dress code and schedule. Hours are 2 PM–4 AM Monday through Friday and 12 PM–4 AM on Saturday and Sunday, which makes it useful when you need a New York City venue open late.
For a first visit, treat it as a casual, late-hours option rather than choosing it for a specific food, beverage, reservation, or atmosphere plan. If you are comparing options, you can also look at NR or Kaia Wine Bar as other New York City choices.
How to place it in a wider New York plan
If this is one stop in a larger night, keep the decision simple: use Plug Uglies UES when casual dress and late hours fit the plan. For broader planning, see Our full New York City guide, with additional context from Our full New York City restaurants guide, Our full New York City hotels guide, Our full New York City wineries guide, Our full New York City experiences guide.
For other New York City comparisons, consider venues such as The Penrose Bar, Kaia Wine Bar, NR, Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar, or Sushi Sasabune, depending on the kind of night you are planning.
Planning details
- Location
- 1495 1st Ave, New York, NY 10075
- Website
- plugugliesnyc.com
- Phone
- +1 646 678 5583
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Plug Uglies UES presents an unapologetically casual, classic neighborhood pub on the Upper East Side. It leans into an anti-pretension identity rather than the polished, white-tablecloth tone common nearby, favoring straightforward drinks and a room that welcomes drop-ins. The place reads as relaxed and conversation-forward during the day, treating the bar as a kind of civic infrastructure for the block. That mid-tier pub sensibility keeps the mood approachable: unassuming, comfortable, and resistant to trend-driven affectations while still feeling like a proper local watering hole.
Best For
This is a bar built for low-stakes visits: solo daytime stops by remote workers and residents running errands, quick lunches for people on the go, and casual after-work drinks with colleagues. The daytime crowd is described as unhurried and conversation-forward, making it easy to linger with a beer or a light meal between appointments. Small group gatherings fit naturally here too — the pub format and straightforward service suit friends who want reliable, unpretentious drinks without ceremony.
Venue details
Ambiance
A lively, unpretentious sports-bar atmosphere with super friendly bartenders, free shuffleboard, and a setup built for watching games on many screens.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Format
View
At the Bar
- Bar Category
- Sports Bar
- Late Night
- Open Until 4am
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Where to go if this is not the right fit
If the night needs a clearer cocktail identity, try NR. If wine and conversation matter more than late-night bar energy, Kaia Wine Bar is the cleaner alternative.
Bar context
How It Compares
Against NR, Plug Uglies UES is the easier, lower-commitment call. Pick NR when the drink program is the reason for the night; pick Plug Uglies UES when the priority is a casual Upper East Side meet-up without a tight reservation plan.
Kaia Wine Bar is the better cross-shop for readers who want a wine-led evening and a more food-friendly rhythm. The Penrose Bar is the more polished all-purpose Upper East Side alternative, especially for dates or mixed groups that want a fuller bar-and-food feel.
If food is driving the decision, compare in a different lane: Sushi Sasabune makes more sense for a sushi-focused night, while Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar is the better casual food stop. Plug Uglies UES wins when ease, timing, a loose bar atmosphere matter more than a specific cuisine or wine brief.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Plug Uglies UES guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Plug Uglies UES
| Venue | Location | Awards |
|---|---|---|
| Plug Uglies UES | New York City | No published awards |
| NR | New York City | No published awards |
| Kaia Wine Bar | New York City | No published awards |
| The Penrose Bar | New York City | No published awards |
| Sushi Sasabune | New York City | No published awards |
| Schaller's Stube Sausage Bar | New York City | No published awards |
How Plug Uglies UES compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the food good at Plug Uglies UES?
Use Plug Uglies UES for practical planning around New York City, casual dress, late hours rather than as a food review.
What's the best time to go to Plug Uglies UES?
Plug Uglies UES is open 2 PM–4 AM Monday through Friday and 12 PM–4 AM on Saturday and Sunday. The best time depends on your plan, with afternoon, evening, late-night visits all fitting the schedule.
Do I need a reservation at Plug Uglies UES?
Is Plug Uglies UES good for a date?
It may fit a casual New York City plan if late hours and a casual dress code are what you want. For date-night planning, focus on whether that kind of casual, late-hours option suits your plans.
