Lively LES cocktail bar famous for $8 lychee martinis and Asian-fusion bites; great vibes but loud, crowded, with automatic 20% service charge and uneven service.
Verlaine delivers what it promises: a vibrant LES cocktail destination with exceptional ambiance and mood lighting that energizes the space. Food quality shows inconsistency—small plates like dumplings and wings satisfy as bar bites, but the menu doesn't aspire to serious dining. Service splits between attentive bartenders and occasional inattention, while tight seating and peak-hour crowding limit comfort.
One caveat: Automatic 20% service charge on checks, sometimes without clear heads-up