Cibar
Gramercy, New York City
Restaurant in New York City, United States
Book with PearlThe Read
Dress
Smart Casual
Why go
Cibar is worth considering for an easy Gramercy-area evening when atmosphere and late-night flexibility matter more than a clearly defined cuisine or chef-led format. Book it as a social plan, not as a destination dining bet; for a more specific food brief nearby, compare against Carlotto, Javelina, or Paul & Jimmy's Ristorante.
About Cibar
Should you plan around Cibar? Yes if the goal is an evening or late-night stop in New York City and the schedule fits your plans. Cibar is open Tuesday through Saturday, closed Sunday and Monday, and has a smart-casual dress code.
Book it for an evening plan, not a researched tasting-menu night
The smart use case is a flexible night out in New York City where timing and ease matter. Cibar does not publish chef details, cuisine type, awards, menu details, or a price range, so it should not be treated as a special-occasion restaurant that earns the plan on documented culinary specifics. It is better framed as an evening option for people who are comfortable choosing a venue with limited published detail.
Service expectations should be practical: choose it when the hours and smart-casual dress code fit the group, and confirm current details directly before making a plan. For diners who want a clearer food identity before committing, compare it against Carlotto, Javelina, or Paul & Jimmy's Ristorante if one of those better matches the night you are planning.
The decision comes down to how much structure you need
If the night needs clear ordering guidance, named dishes, or a published culinary point of view, Cibar is not the easiest choice to evaluate in advance. If the night is more about meeting in New York City and keeping the plan relaxed, Cibar can make sense. Cibar's hours favor evening and late-night use: Tuesday 5:30 PM–12 AM, Wednesday and Thursday 5 PM–12 AM, Friday 5 PM–1 AM, and Saturday 6 PM–2 AM, with Sunday and Monday closed.
For broader planning, use our full New York City restaurants guide when the meal itself is the priority, our full New York City bars guide when the room and setting matter more, or our full New York City experiences guide if this is part of a larger night out. Travelers pairing dinner with lodging can also check our full New York City hotels guide.
Planning details
- Location
- 56 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003
- Reservations
- Book on OpenTable
- Website
- cibarnyc.com
- Phone
- +12124605656
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Cibar reads like a classic neighborhood bar set against Gramercy’s low-rise, tree-lined Irving Place. The room favors low lighting and seating configured for two-person or small-group conversation, and its design resists theatrical trends in favor of a steady, unhurried presence. The writing emphasizes a residential composure—this is a place for lingering rather than spectacle—so the overall feel is quietly deliberate: comfortable, restrained, and congenial to conversation. It feels less like a destination for people-watching and more like a reliably measured spot where locals come for a proper drink and a long conversation.
Best For
Cibar is best for occasions that prioritize conversation and lingering: after-work drinks, low-key date nights, and small-group gatherings. Its neighborhood orientation and seating that accommodates two-person exchanges make it a natural stop for locals looking to unwind without the bustle of Midtown or the scene-chasing energy of trendier districts. The bar rewards long visits rather than a rapid round of cocktails, so it works well when you plan to settle in, catch up with friends, or enjoy a quiet evening out in Gramercy.
Ordering Tips
The room’s restrained, conversation-forward atmosphere pairs well with classic, well-made cocktails and small, shareable bites. Try one of the signature martinis—whether the Elderflower Vodka Lychee Martini for a floral, slightly sweet take or the straight Vodka Martini for something more classic—and order a Brie Apple Quesadilla to nibble as you linger. Because the bar rewards staying put, pace your drinks and stick to a couple of thoughtfully prepared cocktails rather than ordering rounds quickly.
Venue details
Ambiance
Dark and exotic with a welcoming, inviting atmosphere; dimly lit with a sophisticated yet relaxed vibe that feels mysterious and charming.
Tags
Vibe
Best For
Experience
At the Table
- Dress Code
- Smart Casual
- Noise Level
- Lively
- Service Style
- Upscale Casual
- Meal Pacing
- Quick Bite
- Capacity
- Small
Signature Dishes
- Elderflower Vodka Lychee Martini
- Brie Apple Quesadilla
- Vodka Martini
Know before you go
Know Before You Go
- Getting there
- 56 Irving Pl, New York, NY 10003
Planning details
Location
Also consider
Where to go if Cibar is not the right fit
Pick Carlotto if the group wants a more defined contemporary dinner and is comfortable with a $$$ price tier. Pick Paul & Jimmy's Ristorante if a classic neighborhood-restaurant feel is safer for the occasion.
Restaurant context
How Cibar compares nearby
Cibar is the easier, lower-commitment choice if the plan is centered on evening atmosphere rather than a fully mapped dinner. Carlotto is the clearer pick for diners who want a contemporary $$$ restaurant and a more defined food brief, while Cibar makes more sense when booking friction and a social room matter more than menu specificity.
Against Javelina and Paul & Jimmy's Ristorante, Cibar is less useful for readers who want to know exactly what kind of meal they are signing up for. Choose Javelina or Paul & Jimmy's Ristorante when the group needs a clearer restaurant identity; choose Cibar when the night is looser and the location near Irving Place is the advantage.
Daily Provisions and Caffé Panna serve different roles: Daily Provisions is better for café-style convenience, and Caffé Panna is a dessert-focused stop. Neither replaces Cibar for an evening plan, but both are stronger if the brief is quick, casual, and food-specific.
Explore New York City
Around this place
Discover more on Pearl
Unlock the full Cibar guide in Pearl, including awards, comparisons, FAQs, planning details, and nearby places.
Compare Cibar
| Venue | Location | Cuisine | Price | Awards |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cibar | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| Caffé Panna | Manhattan | Gelateria | , | No published awards |
| Javelina | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
| Carlotto | New York City | Contemporary | $$$ | 2026 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 Wine Spectator Award of Excellence2025 Michelin Plate |
| Daily Provisions | New York City | Café | , | 2026 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Recommended2025 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #1962024 OAD Cheap Eats in North America Ranked · #2112023 OAD Cheap Eats in North America in Recommended |
| Paul & Jimmy's Ristorante | New York City | , | , | No published awards |
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How Cibar New York City compares with similar nearby venues.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Cibar accommodate groups?
Larger parties should confirm group accommodation details directly with Cibar before planning around it. The schedule runs Tuesday through Saturday in the evening and late night, with Sunday and Monday closed. Compared with Paul & Jimmy's Ristorante, it may be worth checking which venue better fits the kind of night you want.
What should I wear to Cibar?
Cibar's dress code is smart casual. Aim for neat evening clothes rather than anything overly formal. Since the hours run from evening into late night on open days, polished casual is the safe call.
Can I eat at the bar at Cibar?
If bar seating, a full meal, or a particular ordering setup matters to your plan, confirm specific seating and service-format details directly with Cibar before you go. If you want to compare alternatives, Daily Provisions is another New York City option to consider.
Is lunch or dinner better at Cibar?
Dinner or a later evening plan is appropriate, since Cibar's listed hours begin in the evening and no lunch hours are listed. It is open Tuesday 5:30 PM–12 AM, Wednesday and Thursday 5 PM–12 AM, Friday 5 PM–1 AM, and Saturday 6 PM–2 AM, and it is closed Sunday and Monday. If you want a daytime plan, compare other New York City options such as Caffé Panna or Daily Provisions.
What should I order at Cibar?
Check Cibar's official channels for specific menu items and the latest ordering details. For a fuller comparison before choosing, Carlotto is another New York City venue to consider; for a flexible evening plan, Cibar may still work if its hours and smart-casual dress code fit.
