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Hi-Life Bar & GrillReservations
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Hi-Life Bar & Grill Reviews List
Hi-Life Bar & Grill
Hi-Life Bar & Grill is one of the Upper Westside’s most popular and longstanding neighborhood restaurants (est. 1991). Hi-Life's 1930's decor is the backdrop for bar & grill classics like flame-grilled steaks and hamburgers, broiled and seared fresh fish specials, bountiful "Big Bowls" of pasta and entree salads, and last but not least a Sushi/Raw bar. (Hi-Life was the first NYC restaurant to install a traditional sushi bar in a non-Japanese restaurant setting in 1993. Expertly prepared sushi & sashimi at Hi-Life is a natural extension of the classic Raw Bar one might expect in our 1930's environment.)
Hi-Life also serves a "traditional Westside" brunch that features fresh squeezed juices, complimentary blueberry muffins & cinnamon toast as well as a 2.95 brunch cocktail deal.
In the warmer months Hi-Life outdoor seating includes 28 seats along Amsterdam Ave and another 18 seats on our 83rd St side.
See more Hi-Life Bar & Grill details
32 Current Reviews
Summary of Diner Ratings & Reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Rating Breakdown 32 reviews
5 stars
(4)
4 stars
(17)
3 stars
(11)
2 stars
(0)
1 star
(0)
Food
(Very Good)
3.7
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
Filter Reviews By:
Diners classify this restaurant as:
- neighborhood gem(17)
- great for brunch(13)
- kid-friendly(8)
- good for groups(7)
- late-night find(5)
- vibrant bar scene(5)
Hi-Life Bar & Grill Reviews List
Review 1 for Hi-Life Bar & Grill
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
The food was adequate...nothing
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The food was adequate...nothing spectacular, but capable."
Dined on 04/21/2013
2010
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Review 2 for Hi-Life Bar & Grill
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
I loved everything about the
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"I loved everything about the Hi-Life. The hostess could not have been more accommodating to our group as we came in two separate groups. They held our table for over 45 minutes and were incredibly polite which in Manhattan is rare. This is a regular bar and restaurant for people who live in the area and the staff seemed to know most of the regulars. The service was great and so was the food. I would definitely recommend this wonderful gem to anyone and can't wait to visit when I am back in that part of the city."
Dined on 03/09/2013
2012
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 3 for Hi-Life Bar & Grill
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Nice for brunch because it
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Fair)
2
/
5
Noise Level
Quiet
"Nice for brunch because it wasn't too busy and it was easy to get into"
Dined on 03/03/2013
2012
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Review 4 for Hi-Life Bar & Grill
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Great neighborhood place to
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Great neighborhood place to enjoy your food in a very relaxed atmosphere."
Dined on 03/04/2013
2013
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Review 5 for Hi-Life Bar & Grill
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Very enjoyable family dinner
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Very enjoyable family dinner with good reasonably priced food- roast chicken, fish, appetizers, happy hour drink prices. Music was a bit loud, but the atmosphere was fun and our table was private. We will return!"
Dined on 02/28/2013
2004
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, neighborhood gem
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Review 6 for Hi-Life Bar & Grill
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Met my sister for brunch here
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Fair)
2
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Met my sister for brunch here over the weekend. We were fortunate to get a seat in the porch area as the inside is a bit dark. Food was better than expected and the price was very reasonable."
Dined on 02/24/2013
2009
Special Features: great for brunch
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Review 7 for Hi-Life Bar & Grill
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
This is my favorite neighborhood
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"This is my favorite neighborhood restaurant. You can get whatever you want to eat - including very good sushi. And for non-sushi eaters (hard to understand that there are actully people who don't like sushi) they can get whatever they want from burgers to steaks to salads. And there is a bar. It's like an upscare diner. I love it."
Dined on 02/10/2013
2008
Special Features: great for brunch, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 8 for Hi-Life Bar & Grill
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service for brunch on a Saturday
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Service for brunch on a Saturday for a large group was attentive and friendly without showing any urge to push us out quickly. Food was very good too. Nice local ambience."
Dined on 02/16/2013
2009
Special Features: good for groups, great for brunch, kid-friendly, neighborhood gem, great for lunch
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Review 9 for Hi-Life Bar & Grill
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
We had a great time with great
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"We had a great time with great food and service."
Dined on 02/14/2013
2004
Special Features: neighborhood gem, special occasion
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Review 10 for Hi-Life Bar & Grill
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Basic brunch food with prompt
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"Basic brunch food with prompt attentive service during the busy weekend rush. Ably managed a group of 3 families with small kids."
Dined on 01/27/2013
2007
Special Features: great for brunch, kid-friendly
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Review 11 for Hi-Life Bar & Grill
Overall rating
(Good)
3
/
5
Spoiled Experience: Manager Fail
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Good)
3
/
5
Ambiance
(Good)
3
/
5
Noise Level
Moderate
"The manager at the end of the meal sort of spoiled my experience. I presented two OpenTable gift certificates and, perhaps mistakenly, had endorsed the back like one would a regular check. She proceeded to tell me that she could not accept them as the bank would not cash them. Long story short, I asked her to call OpenTable and, like I thought, they advised her to try to cash and if that didn't work they would credit the restaurant $40. Well done OpenTable! Not so well done manager--a phone call before approaching me, the customer, would have been a better decision as this little blip at the end of my meal left a bad taste in my mouth.
Thank you."
Dined on 01/24/2013
2007
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Review 12 for Hi-Life Bar & Grill
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Reliable. The "Madmen" 1960s
Food
(Good)
3
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Reliable. The "Madmen" 1960s fee is my favorite part of Hi-Life. Recommended."
Dined on 01/12/2013
2009
Special Features: neighborhood gem
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Review 13 for Hi-Life Bar & Grill
Overall rating
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Neighborhood Gem
Food
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Service
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Ambiance
(Outstanding)
5
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"This is our favorite family restaurant. We come for brunch every Sunday with kids and for dinner every Friday night. The staff is super friendly and food outstanding. We love Hi Life!"
Dined on 01/16/2013
2011
Special Features: vibrant bar scene, good for groups, great for brunch, great for outdoor dining, kid-friendly, late-night find, neighborhood gem, hot spot
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Review 14 for Hi-Life Bar & Grill
Overall rating
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Eat to the beat
Food
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic
"Food, drinks & service all vey good. Loud cool music 80's 90's rock, new wave - remember that?
There's tables outside the main room where it's quieter. I'm becoming a regular."
There's tables outside the main room where it's quieter. I'm becoming a regular."
Dined on 01/11/2013
2004
Special Features: good for groups, neighborhood gem
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Ratings-Only Reviews for Hi-Life Bar & Grill
Based on the average of (18) ratings-only reviews
Overall
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
3 out of 3 recommend this product
Food
(Very Good)
3.6
/
5
Service
(Very Good)
3.8
/
5
Ambiance
(Very Good)
3.4
/
5
Noise Level
Energetic