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The Gem Saloon
Master Critic Reviews (3 Lists)
The Gem Saloon
7.5
The Gem Saloon is a sprawling bar in Murray Hill that flips into a bottomless-style brunch destination with avocado toast, chicken and waffles, and big pitchers. It’s less about delicate plating and more about long tables, sports on TV, and a social brunch that can stretch into afternoon.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken & Waffles, Avocado Toast, Breakfast Burrito
Scores:
Value: 7.2
Service: 7
Consistency: 7.4
Food Quality: 7.7
Atmosphere: 8.6
Cultural Relevance: 6.2
What makes it special: Large-format bar brunch built around bottomless drinks and crowd energy.
Who should go: Groups prioritizing fun, loud brunch over refined dishes.
When to visit: Weekend mid-afternoon when the room is fully buzzing.
What to order: Chicken & Waffles, Avocado Toast, Breakfast Burrito.
Insider tip: Reserve a large table if you’re doing bottomless with a big group.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive; nearby paid garages are the most reliable option during brunch hours.
Dress code: Casual-to-trendy; jeans, sneakers, and brunch-ready outfits fit right in—no need to dress up.
Noise level: Loud and energetic — conversation requires raised voices, especially during peak brunch.
Weekend wait: Not applicable — this spot is primarily brunch and bar-focused rather than dinner-driven.
Weekday lunch: Minimal to no wait outside of special events or sports-heavy afternoons.
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — avocado toast, egg-based dishes, and a few brunch-friendly vegetarian plates.
Vegan options: Limited — modifications possible for toast and sides, but not a vegan-forward menu.
Gluten-free options: Limited — some egg dishes and sides work, but cross-contamination is likely.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Not ideal. It’s loud, high-energy, and more party-focused than intimate—better for group hangs than quiet chemistry.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes for small groups if you arrive early; large parties doing bottomless should reserve ahead to avoid long waits.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier daytime hours can work for kids, but the vibe quickly shifts to adults-only party energy by midday.
Best For
Better for: Better for big-group bottomless brunch, sports-on-TV energy, and social drinking than most Murray Hill brunch spots.
Skip if: Skip if you want quiet conversation, refined food, or a romantic brunch setting.
The Gem Saloon
7.7
The Gem Saloon is a sprawling modern saloon in Murray Hill that flips into a social weekend brunch spot with chicken and waffles, avocado toast, and big-format drinks. It's less about delicate plating and more about long tables, sports on TV, and a brunch that naturally runs into afternoon hangs.
Must-Try Dishes:
Chicken & Waffles, Avocado Toast, Breakfast Burrito
Scores:
Value: 6.4
Service: 7.1
Consistency: 7.5
Food Quality: 7.6
Atmosphere: 8.5
Cultural Relevance: 6.2
What makes it special: Large-format bar brunch built around bottomless drinks and crowd energy.
Who should go: Groups prioritizing fun, loud brunch over refined dishes.
When to visit: Weekend mid-afternoon when the room and TVs are buzzing.
What to order: Chicken and waffles, avocado toast, stuffed breakfast burrito.
Insider tip: Reserve a big table if you're doing bottomless with a large group.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; very limited on weekends and during peak brunch hours—garage parking is usually the safest bet.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual; jeans, sneakers, and fun brunch outfits all fit right in.
Noise level: Loud - TVs, music, and crowd energy often make quiet conversation difficult.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes during peak brunch and early afternoon without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Minimal wait or no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes - several egg-based dishes, avocado toast, and salads work well for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited - a couple of customizable options if you modify dishes carefully.
Gluten-free options: Limited - some brunch plates can be adapted, but no dedicated gluten-free prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual, playful first dates than intimate ones—great if you want energy and fun, less ideal for deep conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, but expect a wait on weekends—arriving before noon or after the main brunch rush improves your odds significantly.
Is it kid-friendly? Technically yes during early daytime hours, but the bar atmosphere, noise, and crowd skew much more adult by late morning.
Best For
Better for: Larger groups, sports viewing during brunch, and high-energy bottomless-style gatherings.
Skip if: You want a quiet, intimate brunch, refined plating, or a relaxed café-style experience.
The Gem Saloon
8.0
The Gem Saloon is a modern American saloon at 27th and Third with a large bar, TVs, and a pet-friendly sidewalk setup. From boozy brunch to late-night cocktails, it works as a social hub where dogs can hang under the table while you work through burgers, wings, and brunch plates.
Must-Try Dishes:
Saloon steak and eggs, Fried chicken sandwich, Flapjack stack
Scores:
Value: 6.2
Service: 7.9
Consistency: 7.7
Food Quality: 7.8
Atmosphere: 8.3
Cultural Relevance: 7.5
What makes it special: Busy all-day saloon with a pet-friendly patio and strong brunch game.
Who should go: Friends chasing brunch, games, and drinks with dogs in tow.
When to visit: Weekend brunch or weekday happy hour for peak sidewalk energy.
What to order: Steak and eggs, fried chicken sandwich, flapjack stack.
Insider tip: Hit weekend brunch for a complimentary drink with outdoor brunch plates.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is very limited; expect circling after 6pm. Best option is nearby paid garages on 3rd Ave or 2nd Ave within 1–2 blocks.
Dress code: Casual and laid-back — jeans, sneakers, brunch fits, and game-day gear all fit right in.
Noise level: Moderate to loud — easy to talk during the day, but conversations get louder during games and peak happy hour.
Weekend wait: 30–50 minutes during peak sports nights without a reservation
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes — veggie burger, salads, brunch egg dishes, and sides like fries and mac & cheese
Vegan options: Limited — mostly salads and modified veggie dishes
Gluten-free options: Limited — salads and some protein-forward plates work with modifications
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want something casual and energetic — it’s more laid-back bar-date than quiet, romantic sit-down.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Usually yes during the week; weekends and game nights can mean standing-room waits unless you arrive early.
Is it kid-friendly? Earlier in the day, yes — families sometimes stop in for brunch. Nights skew fully adult bar energy.
Best For
Better for: Loud, social brunch, watching games, big-group hangouts, and bringing dogs along without fuss
Skip if: You’re after a quiet dinner, refined cocktails, or an intimate date-night atmosphere