The Magician
Bar$$$$
Lower East Side, New York
"Great happy hour, jukebox, and friendly staff."(10 Tips)
"How can you beat the best happy hour deals around?"(14 Tips)
"Great place to escape the heat and drink a cheap beer."(3 Tips)
"Genessee cream ale!"(2 Tips)
75 Tips and reviewsFilter:
- happy hour
- cheap drinks
- jukebox
- good for groups
- casual
- (12 more)
Sort:
- Popular
- Recent
This place was ground zero for the blogger/Gawker scene in 2003-2004 and has always been a big hangout for the early dodgeball.com crowd. My brain is hardwired to use "The Magician" as a test search.
DeanApril 18, 2013Pretty chill atmosphere. Divey, but with a good beer selection. (You can still get your $3 Coors Banquet or especially a $4 Genessee Cream Ale on TAP).
emeFebruary 21, 2015This place saved one of my nights out. Excellent music, not too crowded and we managed to snag one of the front tables. Beers/prices decent. Stayed here the rest of the night for an enjoyable time.
Andrew PhelpsApril 10, 2013The bartender here—I don't know her name—is the best in New York City. The kind of place you can come and read without being bothered. Or drink all night with a (big) group of good friends.
Probably the best happy hour in NYC. $4 top shelf cocktails (Sapphire and tonic) until 8pm and one hell of a jukebox. For $20 you will leave "happy."
Zii HammadJanuary 7, 2016Cheap and casual bar, with lots of room to sit and chat. The crowd's a mixed bag, so just don't talk to any of the new LESders and you'll be fine.
Jon CowleyJanuary 29, 2019Great little dive bar, the bay window seats are great for exceptionally long chats 😉
Village VoiceSeptember 9, 2013After work, put on the jukebox and kick back with a few beers. You can always count on getting a table or bar seat on weeknights.- DoubleDeuceNovember 21, 2018Solid spot for a hang sesh, especially if you have a bigger group, you can post up in the back.
Hector TavarezJuly 27, 2013It's a great bar in the lower east side with down-to-earth people and cheap drinks. What more can you want?
Jeremy MooreJuly 20, 2013Magic, is finding a not too loud place to drink at prices that actually make sense, all in NYC. At the same time.
Great for groups and never really crowded. You can find seating for a group even on weekends
A sentimental favorite. Grab a table near the front window with your bud bottle and pretend you're checking in on Dodgeball 2004 style.
Corley StoneNovember 2, 2014Cozy bar that falls somewhere between dive and hipster. Cash only with an ATM right outside and one across the street as well
Red FabbriAugust 8, 2014An endangered bar (along the lines of WXOU) with a great juke and plenty of space.
Calm on weeknights but bustling on weekends. They have a great jukebox and happy hour. Cash only, but there's an ATM outside.- Meg LewisAugust 20, 2014They pump this place with A/C in the summer! Great place to escape the heat and drink a cheap beer.
Cristina HartDecember 6, 2015Chill place, great vibe, normal NYC beer prices aka overpriced but great environment- Great happy hour, jukebox, and friendly staff. Bring cash.
Edmund BoeyFebruary 21, 2017There are so many great bars in the area, the magician is fine, cash only!
During the week, this is the most laid-back bars in the LES. The happy hour is fantastic.
- Front booths, right near the big windows, are by far the best people watching spots in the LES. (for a backup, hit the mini magic room at Local 138 around the corner on Ludlow)
quite often my last stop in manhattan before getting on the JMZ home. therefore i call it my neighborhood bar not in my neighborhood.
Fantastic reprieve from the pretentious LES bars
Cash only but a decent juke box that isn't gull of shitty current top 40.
Corin LianidesApril 17, 2010Well drinks are $5 which is always good. Smile and be friendly with the bartender and it'll go far.
Kraig ParkinsonApril 18, 2010Stick around for the buy-backs. Also, fav spot is the round table in the back room on the near right...
Hal SparksApril 17, 2010You're probably here because the other place is full.. And you feel better because this place is actually more fun
129 Photos
Foursquare © 2025 Lovingly made in NYC, CHI, SEA & LA
Closed until 5:00 PM (Show more)
- Mon–Sun
- 5:00 PM–4:00 AM
(212) 673-7881
Features
Credit Cards
No
Outdoor Seating
No
Food & Drink
Menus
Happy Hour
Drinks
Beer, Full Bar, Cocktails
See More
You might also like
- 7.5
"Best happy hour specials. great easy spot for a lonesome after work drink. Locals only."
Sasha Baston - 8.5
"A fun and different bar with classic video games (all cheap) and great beer. Bring quarters!"
Jackson Isaacson
- 6.5
"Buffalo Mac & Cheese is delicious. They have a good beer selection. It could get very crowded during peak hours."
Kevin Rickert
Places people like to go after The Magician
Appears on 327 lists
Created by Dens
19 items • 1,295 followers
200+ Bars to Visit in New York City
Created by Michael Gogel
106 items • 337 followers
Stay Cool: NYC's Best Places for Air-Conditioning
Created by Foursquare Swarm
20 items • 91 followers
