0 Followers
Yuca Bar
Master Critic Reviews (4 Lists)
Yuca Bar
8.7
A high-volume East Village institution where Spanish-language energy, cocktails, and shareable plates are the point—more night-out destination than quiet tapas bar. Come for a few Latin-leaning small plates and a strong drink order, then let the room’s nightlife momentum do the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Tuna ceviche, Yuca fries, Churrasco steak
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 8.1
Consistency: 9.1
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 9.1
Cultural Relevance: 8.8
What makes it special: A decades-running Latin night-out hub with serious review-volume proof.
Who should go: Groups and dates who want drinks plus energy
When to visit: Happy hour or late-night for peak vibe
What to order: Tuna ceviche, yuca fries, churrasco
Insider tip: Go early for happy hour, then stay as the room builds.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; very limited in the East Village and difficult after 6pm. Rideshare or subway strongly recommended.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning dressy—jeans are fine, but most people come styled for a night out.
Noise level: High—music-forward and energetic; conversation is possible early but gets difficult as the night builds.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer after 9pm
Weekday lunch: No lunch service; evenings early in the week usually minimal wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several small plates like yuca fries, salads, and sides work well.
Vegan options: Limited—mostly sides; ask the server for modifications.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free dishes available, but no dedicated prep area.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes if you want energy and chemistry over deep conversation—better for drinks and shared plates than an intimate sit-down.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Often yes if you arrive early or are flexible with bar seating; late-night peak hours are tougher without a booking.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really—this is an adults-first nightlife spot best suited for evening crowds 21+.
Best For
Better for: Loud, high-energy nights with cocktails, music, and a party-adjacent vibe that lasts late.
Skip if: You want a quiet tapas experience, a romantic low-noise dinner, or a food-first Spanish meal.
Yuca Bar
8.3
A long-running East Village institution that lives as much in its nightlife pulse as its Latin-American comfort plates. The smart move is to treat it as dinner-then-drinks: lock in one hearty entrée, one shareable side, and let the room carry the rest.
Must-Try Dishes:
Ropa vieja, Mofongo, Tostones
Scores:
Value: 8.1
Service: 7.8
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.2
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Dinner-and-nightlife energy with dependable Latin comfort staples.
Who should go: Friends who want food then drinks
When to visit: Late evening for peak vibe
What to order: Ropa vieja, mofongo, tostones
Insider tip: Eat earlier, then stay—tables get harder later.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: No valet; street parking is very limited. Expect to circle or use nearby paid garages—rideshare or subway is strongly recommended.
Dress code: Smart casual leaning nightlife—jeans are fine, but dress like you’re going out rather than just eating.
Noise level: Loud by late evening—conversation is possible early, but expect music-forward energy after dinner hours.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer after 8pm
Weekday lunch: Typically no wait or very short wait
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several vegetable-forward sides and mains, but not a dedicated vegetarian menu.
Vegan options: Limited—some sides can work, but the menu is meat-focused overall.
Gluten-free options: Limited—some naturally gluten-free dishes, but no dedicated prep or labeling.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Yes, if you want energy and movement rather than intimacy—great for playful, social dates, less ideal for quiet conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Earlier in the evening, yes. After peak dinner hours, expect a wait or bar-first strategy.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really—this is an adult, nightlife-driven space best suited for 21+ crowds.
Best For
Better for: Dinner that transitions seamlessly into drinks, dancing, and late-night energy—few East Village spots blend food and nightlife this smoothly.
Skip if: You want a calm meal, focused culinary exploration, or a quiet date—choose a restaurant-first venue instead.
Yuca Bar
8.3
A long-running Latin American standby with a bar-first energy that’s built for group pacing and easy repeat orders. Happy hour works best here when you keep the menu punchy—crispy snacks, a grilled main to share, and one strong drink decision per round.
Must-Try Dishes:
churrasco, yuca fries, fried calamari
Scores:
Value: 8.2
Service: 7.4
Consistency: 8.6
Food Quality: 8.3
Atmosphere: 8.7
Cultural Relevance: 8.5
What makes it special: A high-volume East Village institution that runs on cocktails and Latin comfort classics.
Who should go: Groups who want drinks plus real food
When to visit: Early evening before the room gets loud
What to order: Yuca fries, calamari, churrasco
Insider tip: Order snacks first, then one shareable main to keep timing smooth.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking only; very limited and difficult after 6pm—public transit or rideshare is strongly recommended.
Dress code: Casual to smart-casual; jeans are fine, but expect a nightlife-leaning crowd in the evening.
Noise level: Moderate early, loud later—conversation is easy before 7pm but gets challenging as the night builds.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, especially after 7pm
Weekday lunch: Little to no wait most days
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—several vegetable-forward starters and sides work well for vegetarians.
Vegan options: Limited—some sides can be adapted, but it’s not a vegan-focused menu.
Gluten-free options: Limited—grilled proteins and select sides are safest; cross-contact is possible during busy hours.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for casual or high-energy first dates than intimate ones—early evening works, but later it’s more about vibe than conversation.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes, especially early or on weekdays—arrive before peak hours and be flexible about seating.
Is it kid-friendly? Early evening only—kids are fine before nightlife energy takes over, but it’s not designed for families late.
Best For
Better for: Group happy hours with real food, strong cocktails, and a lively East Village atmosphere.
Skip if: You want a quiet dinner, dietary-specific dining, or a focused culinary experience over a party-forward one.
Yuca Bar
8.3
A longtime Avenue A hang that works when happy hour needs to be both social and satisfying: margaritas and mojitos up front, then tacos that hold their own in a loud, late-running room. Come early for the best pacing, sit near the bar, and treat tacos as the anchor before the night turns into a full party.
Must-Try Dishes:
Carnitas tacos, Fish tacos, Guacamole with chips
Scores:
Value: 8
Service: 7.6
Consistency: 8.7
Food Quality: 8.6
Atmosphere: 8.9
Cultural Relevance: 8.4
What makes it special: Big-room happy hour energy with tacos that don’t feel like an afterthought.
Who should go: Groups starting a loud night out
When to visit: Weekday happy hour, arrive early for seats
What to order: Carnitas tacos, fish tacos, guacamole
Insider tip: Lock a table first—then order tacos immediately to set pace.
Logistics & Planning
Parking: Street parking is limited and competitive; expect to circle or use a nearby paid garage if arriving after 6pm.
Dress code: Casual to trendy—jeans and sneakers are fine, but lean nightlife-ready rather than laid-back.
Noise level: Loud—conversation is possible early, but expect raised voices once the room fills.
Weekend wait: 30–60 minutes without a reservation, longer later at night.
Weekday lunch: No wait typically (not a primary lunch destination).
Dietary Options
Vegetarian options: Yes—vegetable-based tacos, sides, and guacamole make it workable.
Vegan options: Limited—can piece together tacos and sides, but expect some substitutions.
Gluten-free options: Some naturally gluten-free items like corn tortillas, but cross-contamination is possible.
Good to Know
Is this good for a first date? Better for a casual or social-first date than an intimate one—the energy is fun but loud and distraction-heavy.
Can I get a table without a reservation? Yes if you arrive early; later on, bar seating or a short wait is more realistic.
Is it kid-friendly? Not really—best for adults, especially once the nightlife crowd takes over in the evening.
Best For
Better for: Big-group happy hours, late-night energy, and tacos paired with strong margaritas in a party-ready room.
Skip if: You want a quiet meal, focused taco craftsmanship, or a relaxed pace—choose a smaller taqueria instead.
Hours
Monday12pm - 11pm
Tuesday12pm - 11pm
Wednesday12pm - 11pm
Thursday12pm - 11pm
Friday12pm - 4am
Saturday11am - 4am
Sunday11am - 11pm