The Private Dinner List
Monkey Bar, American restaurant in Midtown East with semi-private room, photo 1 of 5

Monkey Bar

American

4.5
Updated September 2026
Semi-Private Room

Monkey Bar's storied dining room, with its whimsical monkey murals and old-school Manhattan glamour, transforms any group gathering into a scene from a classic New York novel. The private spaces maintain the restaurant's sophisticated playfulness while offering intimacy for celebrations, and their expertly crafted American menu—from pristine oysters to dry-aged steaks—gives everyone something to toast about. Whether you're hosting an intimate dinner at their large communal table or taking over the entire space for a cocktail reception, the attentive service and timeless Midtown energy make every guest feel like they're part of something special.

Group Dining Details

Up to 110 seated / 175 reception; large table in main dining room for smaller groups

From guest reviews: Groups use Monkey Bar for private events, cast parties and family birthdays, with larger tables booked through a private dining request form. Read what groups say

Work here? Update the event details

Location

What groups say

Groups use Monkey Bar for private events, cast parties and family birthdays, with larger tables booked through a private dining request form.

What works
  • Staff handled a cast party with engaging, expert service
  • Private event dinner described as excellent by one group
  • Murals and Art Deco room work well for special occasions
  • Kitchen accommodated a celiac guest on a busy night
Watch out for
  • Large-party tables given firm turn times and rushed checks
  • Private dining requests handled by automated email, one group cancelled late
  • Very busy room, long waits reported even with reservations
  • Private dining and larger group bookings go through an online request form rather than a phone line, which reviewers describe as automated.
  • One reviewer confirmed headcount more than 2 weeks ahead and was later told the dining room could not accommodate the group.
  • A party of 8 booked a lunch table and was given a hard 2pm end time, with a 15 minute grace period on arrival.
  • Reviewers report an Art Deco dining room that is consistently busy, with reservations hard to secure on Resy.

Drawn from 70 Google reviews of Monkey Bar that mention a group, a private room or a celebration, read September 2026. The reviews below describe a group visit, private rooms and larger events first, with the critical ones kept in.

  • private event dinner
    Private event group dinner here was the stuff of dreams. Highly recommend.
  • private dining request
    Extremely Disappointed – Unprofessional Experience for a Special Occasion I was traveling to New York City to celebrate a very special occasion and was recommended Monkey Bar for dinner. Unfortunately, the entire experience before we even set foot in the restaurant was extremely disappointing. When I called the number listed online, it was fully automated. There was no way to speak to a real person. I was directed to their website to fill out a private dining request, which I did more than two weeks in advance. I received an automated response stating I had 24 hours to confirm the reservation or they would not accommodate us. My group was excited, and I confirmed our headcount promptly. I had one question about the menu and asked if I could have a little more time to finalize it. I never received a response over the weekend. Then, on Monday, I got an email saying their dining room was full and they could no longer accommodate our group. For a restaurant that prides itself on “unreasonable hospitality,” this was anything but. They relied entirely on automated messaging and never took the time to learn about our group or the occasion. There was no effort to make it right or offer alternatives. In my experience and based on their reputation, this was shockingly unprofessional. If you’re planning something special, I would strongly recommend looking elsewhere.
  • group lunch, party of 8
    They make you feel unwelcome here. I wouldn't go again. We had a reservation for a large group: 8 people here. Our party was late to the reservation by 16 minutes. We called ahead to let them know. They firmly informed us that the grace period was 15 minutes. One we got in, the first thing they told us at the door was that they needed the table by 2pm. At 1:30pm the server brought the check and us the check and informed us 2 more times that they needed the table at 2pm. So we rushed out. Really felt unwelcome, eventhough we would have cleared by 2. Advice to patrons: 1. Don't book large groups here 2. This is NYC, plenty of restaurants with better service.
  • family birthday dinner
    We celebrated my birthday with family. We were initially worried that it might be intimidating for a family with teenagers, but we had a great time thanks to the wonderful staff.

Good to know

Retro murals & swanky furnishings fill this exclusive American eatery with a powerful clientele.

Typical spend
$100+ per person
Serves
Brunch, lunch and dinner
Reservations
Takes reservations
Groups
Good for groups
Access
Wheelchair accessible entrance and seating
Hours
Monday11:45 AM to 10:30 PM
Tuesday11:45 AM to 11:00 PM
Wednesday11:45 AM to 11:00 PM
Thursday11:45 AM to 11:00 PM
Friday11:45 AM to 11:00 PM
Saturday11:45 AM to 11:00 PM
Sunday11:45 AM to 10:30 PM

Hours, spend and amenities from Google. Private event hours and minimums are set by the restaurant.

Frequently asked questions

Does Monkey Bar have a private dining room?
Monkey Bar offers a semi-private dining space for groups rather than a fully enclosed room. Up to 110 seated / 175 reception; large table in main dining room for smaller groups.
How much does it cost to book a private event at Monkey Bar?
Guests at Monkey Bar typically spend $100+ per person on a regular visit, according to Google, before drinks and tip. A private room or group booking is usually priced on a food and beverage minimum that scales from that per-head figure rather than a flat room fee. Minimums run higher on Friday and Saturday nights and through December. Contact Monkey Bar for the current minimum and deposit terms.
When is Monkey Bar open?
Monkey Bar is open Monday 11:45 AM to 10:30 PM, Tuesday to Saturday 11:45 AM to 11:00 PM, and Sunday 11:45 AM to 10:30 PM, serving brunch, lunch and dinner. The restaurant takes reservations for regular tables. Private rooms can often be booked outside these hours, including daytime events, so ask when you inquire.
What kind of restaurant is Monkey Bar?
Monkey Bar is a $$$$ American restaurant in Midtown East, New York City, rated 4.5 stars across 1,947 Google reviews. Google describes it as: Retro murals & swanky furnishings fill this exclusive American eatery with a powerful clientele. It has a wheelchair accessible entrance.
What do guests say about group dining at Monkey Bar?
Groups use Monkey Bar for private events, cast parties and family birthdays, with larger tables booked through a private dining request form. Private dining and larger group bookings go through an online request form rather than a phone line, which reviewers describe as automated. One reviewer confirmed headcount more than 2 weeks ahead and was later told the dining room could not accommodate the group. A party of 8 booked a lunch table and was given a hard 2pm end time, with a 15 minute grace period on arrival. Reviewers report an Art Deco dining room that is consistently busy, with reservations hard to secure on Resy. Reviewers praise: staff handled a cast party with engaging, expert service; private event dinner described as excellent by one group; murals and art deco room work well for special occasions; kitchen accommodated a celiac guest on a busy night. Watch for: large-party tables given firm turn times and rushed checks; private dining requests handled by automated email, one group cancelled late; very busy room, long waits reported even with reservations. Based on 70 Google reviews of Monkey Bar that mention a group, a private room or a celebration.

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