American Brass
Long Island City-Hunters Point, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
American Brass is worth considering for an easy Long Island City celebration or business dinner when convenience matters more than chef-driven rarity. Choose Meju for a higher-commitment Korean tasting menu, or compare Maiella, Tournesol, SHI, and Skinnys Cantina if staying local in Queens is the main priority.
About American Brass
American Brass is a New York City restaurant with evening hours during the week and daytime-to-evening hours on Saturday and Sunday. Key planning details: the dress code is smart casual, and the posted hours vary by day. It is best evaluated as a practical New York City dining option, especially for plans built around timing, location, and dress expectations.
The right use case is a meal plan where the group wants a smart-casual New York City restaurant and can work within the listed hours. For comparison planning, Meju, Maiella, SHI, Skinnys Cantina, and Tournesol may also be useful names to consider depending on the kind of meal you want, but the decision should be made from current menus, availability, and the latest venue details rather than assumptions about format or price. For broader planning, use Our full New York City restaurants guide, plus the city guides for hotels, bars, wineries, and experiences.
Good for a smart-casual New York City plan
American Brass is a straightforward pick when your plans call for a smart-casual New York City restaurant with posted hours that fit your schedule. If your decision depends on a particular menu style, beverage program, price tier, or named recognition, confirm those details directly before booking. American Brass is in New York City, has a smart-casual dress code, and is open Monday and Tuesday from 5–8:30 PM, Wednesday and Thursday from 5–9 PM, Friday from 5–9:30 PM, Saturday from 11 AM–9 PM, and Sunday from 11 AM–8:30 PM.
For comparison planning, Maiella, Tournesol, SHI, Skinnys Cantina, and Meju can be considered alongside American Brass. Treat them as comparison options rather than a ranked shortlist, and review their current menus, prices, and service models as needed. The safest approach is to match the reservation to your timing, dress expectations, and current availability, then confirm any menu, seating, group, allergy, or special-occasion needs directly with the restaurant before you go.
Planning details
- Location
- 2-01 50th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101
- Website
- americanbrasslic.com
- Phone
- +17188061106
The take
The Take
The Vibe
American Brass presents itself as an industrial-conversion dining room that leans on raw architecture as part of its personality. The space emphasizes high ceilings, exposed structure and a large-format bar program, so the building’s bones do editorial work before food arrives. Located in Long Island City, the restaurant intentionally trades Manhattan spectacle for a quieter, more considered atmosphere that attracts a self-selecting crowd. The result is an urbane, architecturally driven dining room where modern finishes meet a restrained energy—an elegant, design-forward spot that foregrounds space as much as the menu.
Best For
This is a destination for diners seeking something beyond the Manhattan circuit—people who value architecture-led spaces, thoughtfully composed menus and a calmer, more deliberate evening. It suits date nights and special-occasion dinners where setting matters, and it also operates as a weekend brunch draw. Groups looking for high-energy nightlife or tourists craving Manhattan buzz will find a different scene; instead, American Brass rewards guests who cross the river for a measured, design-forward meal anchored in Long Island City’s industrial character.
Ordering Tips
Stick to the signatures that anchor the menu: the Steak Frites is a reliable main, while the Rock Shrimp and Tagliatelle showcase the kitchen’s take on classic preparations. Given the emphasis on a large-format bar program, consider the bar as an option if you enjoy watching service choreography and cocktail work. For weekend plans, brunch is explicitly noted among the venue’s occasions, so expect a daytime service alongside dinner. Shareable plates and classic mains are sensible strategies here—order a couple of starters and a pasta or the steak to sample the kitchen’s strengths.
Venue details
Ambiance
Chic, relaxed upscale space with waterfront views of Manhattan skyline.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
Sourcing
View
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Conversational
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Leisurely
- Capacity
- Medium
Signature Dishes
- Steak Frites
- Rock Shrimp
- Tagliatelle
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 2-01 50th Ave, Long Island City, NY 11101
Planning details
Location
Also consider
If this is not the right fit
Choose Meju if the meal itself needs to be the centerpiece and the budget allows a $$$$ Korean format. Choose Maiella or Tournesol if the goal is a nearby sit-down alternative rather than a more casual night at Skinnys Cantina.
Restaurant context
How it compares in Long Island City
American Brass is the practical middle lane among these Queens options: more celebration-oriented than Skinnys Cantina, less tasting-menu driven than Meju, and easier to position for a general-purpose dinner than a venue with a narrower culinary brief. Pick it when the group needs a polished room and lower booking stress.
Meju is the splurge comparison because its Korean format and $$$$ price tier signal a more deliberate dining decision. For a special occasion where food is the main event, Meju is the stronger target. For a birthday, client dinner, or date where the group wants Long Island City convenience and a less rigid plan, American Brass is the safer fit.
Maiella, Tournesol, and SHI are the closest practical cross-shops for readers deciding within the neighborhood. Use Maiella or Tournesol when the mood is more classic sit-down dinner; use SHI when the local waterfront-area setting is the draw; use Skinnys Cantina when budget and casual energy matter more than occasion polish.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full American Brass guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare American Brass
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| American Brass | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| SHI | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| Skinnys Cantina | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| Meju | New York City | Korean | $$$$ | 2026 New York Times Best Restaurants in New York City · #42026 OAD Top Restaurants in North America Recommended2026 James Beard Award Nominees2026 James Beard Award Semifinalists2026 James Beard Award Winners2025 James Beard Award Semifinalists2025 New York Magazine The 43 Best Restaurants in New York2025 Michelin 1 Star2024 Michelin 1 Star |
| Maiella | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| Tournesol | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
How American Brass compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What should a first-timer know about American Brass?
American Brass is a New York City restaurant with a smart-casual dress code. Hours are Monday and Tuesday 5–8:30 PM, Wednesday and Thursday 5–9 PM, Friday 5–9:30 PM, Saturday 11 AM–9 PM, and Sunday 11 AM–8:30 PM.
What should I wear to American Brass?
The dress code is smart casual. Dress for a polished New York City visit rather than a formal event.
