I liked this place because they let us sing really poorly and very loudly and even played the music we wanted to hear (Stevie Nicks "Edge of Seventeen" and Crystal Waters "She's Homeless")
The infused vodka was pretty tasty. Â Drinks are pricey. Â Don't believe the bartender if he says the horseradish vodka goes well with cranberry juice. Â It doesn't.
If you like vodka, this is your place.
I love the iced bar, but what's up with the vegetables in formaldehyde? Actually that's flavored vodka. Â Try that cucumber vodka! To die for!!!!!!!! It also helps that this bar is right off Broadway because the drag show was spectacular! I was rolling around the floor laughing my @$$ off!!! FUNNY and cool...
Review Source:The lounge is narrow and becomes nearly unnavigable very quickly, especially on a Saturday night. However, the service is reasonably fast. I wished more international beers were available. But I had come primarily to dance. In the upstairs, this proved difficult but not impossible: falling down a few times meant falling onto a couch or attractive person rather than onto open floor.
I hear they have drinks with horseradish, so I will definitely return to try one.
Great happy hour specials on their infused vodkas, which are dangerously delicious and yet strong. Â I think our group tried most of the ones on the menu - the favorite was the mango and I also enjoyed trying the horseradish. Â Very nice people, fairly good service, overall a good time.
Review Source:Stumbled into this place after ending up in an overpriced too cool bar. We came on the right night! Campy queens lip syncing for their lives! The bartender was friendly and poured a strong drink. It was cozy and fun and it was super fun hanging out with the queens after the show. I didn't even realize they had infused vodkas, I'll have to go back to try them.
Review Source:Came here to kill time while on a work trip and was pleasantly surprised. Â Their mango-infused vodka was positively delightful and their pelmeni was made by someone who knew what they were doing.
Waitstaff were sweet and friendly, but I have one beef: Â I don't mind my bartender checking his phone every so often, but please don't be chained to it. Â There are many other things one can do to pass the time.
Oh, would have rated 4 stars but restrooms could have used some love, which was surprising considering it was Happy Hour and definitely a slower part of the day. Â Nevertheless, I expect to be back again next time I'm in New York.
Don't get my wrong, the infused vodka was delicious and the food was ok (definitely the quality of a more "bar food" type place. I had the beef stroganoff and my partner had the fish and the were pretty decent.
My main gripe with this place is that they don't honor any vouchers you may have. I had a voucher from Amazon Local that I tried to use. I followed all of the requirements but when I went to use it they said that I could only use it after 9pm. It never said anything about that on the voucher. I hounded the server for a while and finally he agreed to run my card information after 9pm with the voucher. Well, just checked my CC and guess what I found. That didn't happen.
If you're willing to pay full price for everything by all means it's a great time and great vodka but don't expect to get any discounts even when you're entitled to them.
"Old gay Vlada, she aint what she used to be, aint what she used to be..."
I'm sorry but as a yelper its my job to be honest...no?
Vlada is not the bar I remembered from years past. Â I am not sure what happened but she has definitely become the red headed stepchild in Hells Kitchen gay bars. Â
To be honest- I forgot Vlada even existed until a friend and I decided to grab a couple drinks one night. Â
First off the place was empty! Albeit a Sunday night, but the gays love Sundays right? Â
The bartender was SUPER nice I will admit and I still admire that they are one of the only bars in NYC to have their own infused vodkas which are definitely worth a go! Â The drinks were fairly heavy handed too, a plus.
The drag show upstairs had a turn out smaller than a Milli Vanilli concert.
The photobooth, although a fun idea, can be obnoxious if you are sitting nearby as the flash will blind you no matter where you sit on the first floor.
I'm a sucker for Happy Hour. This place has to be one of the BEST Happy Hour Bars in the city. Why you ask? They have an assortment of fruit infused Vodka. At $4 a drink during Happy Hour you can't go wrong.... Might as well try the it all!
I ended up trying about 4 drinks. This consisted of Peach, Mint, Kiwi and even a Blood Orange concoction that the bartender made for me. This place does not skimp on Vodka. After a few you will be feeling good.
The place is really chill and I love the long strip of ice that lines the bar. Our bartender was awesome. I never had to go up to the bar to get a new drink. He would come by and check up on us whenever he saw our glass almost empty. They really take care of you here.
This is definitely a new place to grab drinks after work!
I was skeptical about this place before I came in. Â At first I wasn't sure that I could enjoy an 'it' bar like Vlada.
Check out the evidence:
--A long, sleek interior
--An "ice bar"
--No bar-side seating (either stand or lounge)
--And who exactly is "Vlada" anyway?
Obviously, a bar this self-consciously hip must serve $30 'tinis the size of your thumb, right? Â Right?
Wrong.
Vlada's actually one of the most fun and least pretentious bars I've experienced in...ever.
I rolled on in here on a Friday evening feeling very thirsty. Â The super-friendly and cheerful bartender (whose name I forget, but who I absolutely adored) informed me that their specialty is infused vodka. Â He also let me know that it was still happy hour and I could have any martini for $6. Â Nice. Â
I opted for a ginger-infused cosmo. Â Yes, it was froofy, but it was also one of the most delicious martinis I've had in a very long time.
The cocktail was wonderful, but the camaraderie was even better. Â Who said that New Yorkers are rude? Â The folks here (mostly locals, but a smattering of fellow tourists as well) were outgoing, chatty, and ultra-eager to buy rounds of drinks for one another. Â There was always abundant laughter and never an ounce of pretension.
All for no cover.
Vlada -- you're as close as one can get to a perfect boys' bar. Â How about opening up a west coast location? Â Pretty please? Â San Diego has plenty of vacancies...
This place is like a Chameleon: it can look totally diff'rent depending on its needs, and there are tons of shifty eyes looking in all directions here.
Without getting too heavy, let's just make a list of good and bad - in no particular order:
a NIGHTMARE on weekend nights: be ready to be squeezed, poked, pushed, and screamed at (and none of these in the fun way). There are enough stupid shirts with skulls and neo-gothic design on them to fill a Tim Burton costume warehouse. Really poorly designed for high traffic. and nearly impossible to get to the bar downstairs.
Infused vodka: Yes, please. Try the bell pepper vodka in a bloody mary on a Sunday after work. You will be happy. And probably tipsy in half an hour. GREAT place to go late afternoon or early evening. Relaxed, inviting, and cheap drinkies.
Upstairs? A mess. I think they still don't get that nobody really ever wants to sit on those wall couches and watch an-over-size TV that's too close. It's kind of awkward.
Drag shows! They are fun, and the small space upstairs seems to be a nice fit for them - the space is a lot like Barracuda, only you'd rather be here than there.
This was and is my favorite "almost night" spot in the city. You have to know when to go there, though, to avoid the gay clones that over-run the city on the weekend nights
I went to Vlada tonight and had a really good time with one of my friends. I met a few very special characters who made my night exciting.
Pros :
-the infused vodka.
-fairly priced drinks.
-great table service.
-fun music mixs.
-polite bartenders.
Cons:
-everyone stays in their own cliques for the most part.
Last time I was in New York I came here because my friends raved about this place. Â And by friends I mean 2 people.
Loved that the place was popping on a Saturday night but wasn't ridiculously full. Â And there wasn't a cover either. Â That was pretty shocking.
Came in and immediately ordered drinks. Â The bartender (OMG SO HOT I THINK I JUST PEED A LITTLE OMG) bought one of our drinks. Â I love this place.
When my friend ordered the next round, he actually bought the entire round. Â LOVE.
The music here was really good too. Â Taylor Swift remix! Â I died. Â I was here on the day when Bea Arthur died and somehow they played a "Thank you for Being a Friend" remix. Â I think it was a remix anyways. Â Whatever it was, it was fucking fabulous.
So yes, hot bartenders, hot music and strong drinks make Vlada a must check out in my book. Â Hoping to come back soon and live it up again.
This place has the infrastructure for a great time...awesome music (Gaga-galore), great space, and yummy drinks. Â
But the clientele....two words: ice queens. Â The boys were hot and well-dressed, but clung to their cliques. Â It's very see, be seen, roll eyes, deliver up-down glare type crew. Too bad.
I'm not sure what to think about this place. Â I like it, but it wasn't absolutely amazing by any means. Â The crowd was younger, which was nice, but the space is a little cramped. Â The bar is cool with its ice counter, but it doesn't really make a lot of sense to have it, other than the "coolness" factor.
I really would give this place 3.5 stars, but since I can't, I don't want to skew my review by giving them 4.
The drinks in-and-of-themselves were nice and strong, and not terribly over-priced. Â I did find it strange that a kamikaze on the rocks drink was $8, yet a Capt Morgan rum and coke was $9. Â ^.~ Â Anyways, this is certainly a nice lounge to go to, but I think there could be a better one somewhere.
Visiting NYC on business, I decided to ditch the corporate white collars and make my escape at a GAY BAR, GAY BAR, GAY BAR.
I really enjoyed the casual lounge atmosphere of Vlada and the ice bar that kept my delicious flavor infused vodka beverages nice and cold for the sippage.
The barkeep was fast, friendly, and cute - awesome. The crowd was chatty with me - am I cute? Is there spinach in my teeth? Oh wait, I'm just not used to gays talking to each other...WE'RE NOT IN BOSTON ANYMORE.
Since I had fun on my weeknight visit to Vlada, I would definitely make my way back the next time I'm in NYC to check out the weekend scene. And the boyzzzzzzzz, natch.
The problem with NYC queer bars is that they're all just okay... I know this sounds harsh but let's be honest: you can spin gay house music and dim the lights, but you're still the same place. Â Of course, I am from the L.A. area so perhaps I have a bias (believe me: I am not a huge fan of L.A. but they have the variety). Â Vlada Lounge has some cool aspects (the curved wood walls, the frozen snow-like strip on the bar) but it still remains a bar like any other. Â Posh, Barrage, the Ritz... Add 'em to the list.
This place had the best DJ -- a woman by the name of Brenda Black, I believe -- that spun decent house music. Â My qualms? Â Why bother having a DJ when she is upstairs where no one can see her? Â I understand that it was dead (and when I say dead, I mean there were five other people there)... But fuck, can ya bring a sister downstairs so we can see her skills? Â She was the lone highlight of your establishment: show her off.
I forgot how much the drinks were since I never pay attention in NY 'cause they're all overpriced. Â Nonetheless, despite how pejorative this may all sound, check it out. Â The place is sleek -- as I said, the decor is awesome -- and it looks like it has major potential to be all out fun.
I'm a sucker for really good music. Just ask anyone who has access to my iTunes. You would find that I have really amazing playlists that can make you really happy, really sad or really really freaky (srsly).
So when I find a bar that hits my spot for amazing music I immediately fall in love... that is until they seriously F up and start playing something ridiculous like Journey (ugh) - the DJ at Vlada didn't do this. YAY!
In the hour or so I spent there, I talked to some incredibly attractive people, drank some ridiculously strong drinks (so I could be wrong about talking to really attractive people) Â and bobbed my head to some of the best songs DJ didn't-know-his-name could offer.
As I am an out-of-towner myself I didn't know who was local and who was not but it didn't matter to me... Oh and the woman bouncer. WHOA, INTENSE. Let's just say, don't put your feet on the furniture, she will practically cuss you out and make you feel like a horrible person.
ps. There's nothing wrong with Journey, I just don't want to hear it at a bar. Also, I was here on a Sat Night. ...I have no idea what you're in for if you come here on any other night, xo!
They have a great performer on Tuesday nights called Wendy Ho. This self acclaimed white trash ghetto girl from the trailer parks of Kansas City will have you in tears. If she were there more often I would give Vlada an extra star.
Their handsome selection of flavor infused vodkas satisfies but it doesn't make up for the stand off-ish crowd. Everyone looks the same - V-necks central. Meh. I've experience better.
UPDATE: As I wrote this review I got a text from a friend, "Hey I'm at Vlada, Donde estas?" I'm heading out in my grungie half pajama/hipster get up. I like to dress down to add some contrast to the clean cut v-necks.
Vlada is two floors of inebriated fun. It's so much fun that when I was there, they actually had the stairs to the second floor roped off. It was actually funny, people lining up by the velvet rope, just to go upstairs.
But oh lordy, I guess they know what they're doing. The second floor is more fun than the first. Great DJ who was spinning lots of Madonna, who in my eyes can do no wrong, and some weird but cool graphics on the back wall. Thank god there's a bar on the second floor, because in my drunken state I was having a hard time walking down the stairs to the downstairs bar.
Those damn vodka shots will do it to me every time.
Somehow after living in New York for 9 years, I've become very well versed in gay bars. Some past highlights:
-A drag queen announcing on the microphone that I lost my karaoke virginity. (Suite)
-Having a gay pal point and me and yell "maybe this is why you're still single!" as I dirty danced with my gay boyfriend. (Therapy)
-Going to a "No Lights, No Limits" party. Don't ask. (The Cock)
-Watching in fascination as two guys got it onnnn in the most dirty fashion. I am not easily shocked but this was dirty! (HK)
So it should come as no surprise that I was officially promoted to Flame Dame at Vlada last night. On behalf of all flame dames out there, I wholeheartedly accept this title. What can I say, I love me some gays!
ps: the cherry infused vodka at Vlada is amazing.
My first bad review. Â Listen, I like to drink. Â I like drinking with gays. Â I like bars that are made of ice/snow. Â But this place is just all wrong. Â
It's so narrow that you can't walk to the back without disturbing someone at the bar on your left or seated at the right. Â None of the infused vodkas did it for me (plus they could create some really great signature drinks with the vodka selection, yet they don't). Â And the clientele just skews a little old and a little young for me. Â But at the same time. Â Like lots of 70 year olds with 20 year olds. Â As long as they're happy. Â Is this the official bar of the Gay/December relationship?
I hate Vlada because everyone there is always mean to me!
If I ever need to feel stupid and ugly and socially retarded, I just have to walk into Vlada for 5 seconds.
I could whine forever, but honestly, this is probably my own issue. Â To be honest, Vlada is pretty cute inside if you like orange, which I don't. Â Their flavored vodkas are fairly good, but I never remember they exist. Â Those are the positives.
I don't know where the Evil Bitch atmosphere comes from considering these are the same people you see at all the other Hell's Kitchen bars. Â Nonetheless, I get scowls and holier-than-thous and also PUSHED AROUND and I'm like "I'm bigger and prettier than you!" but it never works.
You'll have to excuse my incoherence, but I'm a bit hungover. Â Some of you know why.
ANYWAY, to conclude, I'm going to tell you a story about something that happened here but has nothing to do with the bar itself. Â You guys liked my Metropolitan Opera story, so I figure I'll try again.
--------------------------------
We were at Vlada, and this guy (like 39?) bought my friend and I a drink because he and my friend had chatted online before or something. Â We talked with him for a while, but we were with two out-of-town kids who disappeared, so we eventually excused ourselves to use the restroom and to check on them to see if they were ok.
We found them and all was well in the world, so I eventually made my way back to this guy because he was fun to talk to. Â I tapped him on the shoulder and said hi, and he totally rounded on me and started yelling! Â "YOU DITCHED ME! Â I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU, WHO DO YOU THINK YOU ARE?" Â I said (politely) "Um, no I didn't. Â I'm right here." Â But he would have none of it.
"I CAN'T BELIEVE YOU WOULD JUST WALK AWAY AFTER I BOUGHT YOU A DRINK! Â YOU'RE SO TYPICAL!" Â Incidentally, this tirade was littered with some choice curse words, most of them describing me. I'm paraphrasing. Â "I HAVE CLASS! Â YOU DON'T HAVE ANY CLASS AT ALL!" Â That part was funny!
Luckily, I don't get riled up very easily. Â The best way to deal with this guy was to look amused and let him go on. Â He concluded with another "You don't have any class!" Â (In caps lock, of course.) Â I said "You're right." Â "GET OUT OF MY FACE!" Â "Ok."
The guy he had been chatting up had snuck away, and this other guy leaned over to me and made a nasty comment about him really loud. Â Victory was mine. Â This is pretty much the best experience I've had at Vlada.
NY Yelper: Do you mind if we go to a gay bar?
Keane: I AM from San Francisco...
NY Yelper: *nods*
Vlada Lounge forever redefines what a "hip" bar should be. They prominently feature a varied selection of infused vodkas from citrus to gourd. Parallel rows of blue lights run cross-counter, outlining frosted ice within. I don't care how old you are; the ice will call to you, and it will somehow find its way into another person's nether-regions.
I tried a Yelper's horseradish vodka martini, and it was disgusting. It tasted as if it needed a sausage stirring stick...
A wiener in my drink?
Not what I want in mind at a gay bar.
I walked right past Vlada twice before I found it. Â Since I was told it was a gay bar, I expected perhaps a tad more flash. Â Thankfully, there was none. Â At least not when I was there for drinks with the hott and fabulous Yosh.
Upon entering, I asked for a Midori sour and then noted the architecture of the place. Â It looked a little like an elegant, old school sidecar decorated in muted colors. Â Since the night was just getting started, it was appealingly quiet, and the music was more in the background, allowing for clear conversation. Â The seating was comfortable and intimate. Â And I loved the communal bathroom. Â That must make for interesting times once things get rowdy.....
My drink was excellent, but a $9 Midori Sour should be in a much taller glass and have gold flecks floating around in it or something. Â But since I am a true lush and a lover of Sweet Tarts, I ordered two. Â God only knows how I have lived in NYC for 13 years (officially on August 31st. Â Happy Anniversary to me!) and haven't gotten used to the ridiculous expense of Manhattan. Â I mean, I bitch about it all the time. Â Oh well. Â It's not such a travesty to spend a lot for drinks and food. Â I'll definitely come here again, presumably with a slightly fatter wallet, or drunken gay guys with fat wallets, whichever comes first (tee hee hee).
I was... THERE??? Â how come I don't remember anything?
hmmm... oh! Â ohh!! Â ohhh!!! Â I can picture one thing! Â I was playing with the ice on the bar... Â and put my icy hands on someone's *BOOBs*... Â who were you?? Â @.@
ahhhhh~~~ Â
I
L
O
V
E
G
A
Y
...............
I mean..
BARRRRRR... Â Â =P
I didn't just love this bar because the bartender looked like Zac Efron. Â Although according to Erick he wore less foundation than the real Zac. Â There was also the tall, dark and handsome dude from CBS. Yum. Â Okay, I know it's a gay club and I'm barking up the wrong tree but what can I say? Â They were hot. Â
I also loved this bar because of the vibe and the different flavored infused vodkas. Â I felt extremely comfortable having drinks and would gladly return.
On a hot Phoenix day I want to strip down commando and hop up on Vlada's frosty bar. Â Hot damn, I need one of those mo-fos in my kitchen! (and in my office too!).
Sexy space, cute boys, good music. Â Busy, but not as crowded as the Chelsea bars. Â Only minus is the tight-squeeze corridor to the back of the bar/ upstairs. Â It redefines the concept of sucking it in....Great use of the step-down patio out front. Â Worth the trek from downtown, if you ask me!
Every time I go with someone, I always say how I love the refrigerated bar top. What a clever idea! They also make their own vodka -- if you chit chat with the bartender before it gets busy, you might be able to sneak in a "taste" (read: shot) or two.
Upstairs, it's nice -- they sometimes have live entertainment there, and you cant rent it out. The place is a walk-down from the sidewalk, and when its not packet, the entryway/patio is nice.
Hmmm... Vlada is a lot of fun, makes me wish I lived closer to HK. Cool venue, good and strong drinks (ohhh... infused vodka on the rocks=trouble), friendly (and sexy) bartenders, eye-candy aplenty, how much more does a gay boy need? The happy hour has pretty cheap drinks (my friends and I got two infused vodkas and a glass of wine for $14), and it is great if you just want to kick back and relax for a while. The place fills up and get seriously packed after 12am or so.
(Update 08/31/07) Snippet from a conversation I had last night, while hanging out there with Glenn L:
40 year-old Mexican woman (harangues us): Ze two of you belong togezer. I can read ze eyes. Make out now.
Glenn: But he's my friend!
Mexican woman: No no you belong togezer. You boyfriends. Make out. I can read ze eyes, I see you in love.
(Glenn kisses me on the cheek).
Mexican woman: No no, with ze tongue, like zat (sticks her tongue out to show us).
Glenn: But he's my friend!
Mexican woman (to me): He piece of shit, he no good for you.
It's always my favorite places that inspire the most anxiety in a review. I can tell you that Therapy is tired, Barrage is a bust, and Posh is anything but ---- but how do I convey my love of this sleek and sexy Russian vodka bar?
Kudos to the owners for coming up with a gay bar that isn't called C.C. Bloom's or The Cock. The gays have taste, and it shows here.
The infused vodkas are fun. My fave is a peach cosmo on the rocks, but I'm due for a change. (I'm a little clumsy with those bottomless martini glasses.)
My only complaint is the cramped, railroad-style space.
Intrigued by the promise of infused vodka and an ice bar, I ventured into Vlada on a Wednesday evening. Â There was an event upstairs and the place was hopping with an attractive after-work crowd, but we still managed to get a place at the bar and very quick and friendly service from the bartender. Â
The infused vodka martinis were half the size of my head and strong enough to smack me around, but I had to do a double-take when I got the tab and realized that they were only $6 each! Â I can't wait to come back and try some of the other flavours.
I'm usually not someone that goes out to hit new places on the scene just because they're new, but I went to Vlada and had a great time. The design of the place is amazing - the ice track along the bar to keep vodka shots cold is probably my favorite design element in the place. It's a relaxing place that includes a cool style element.
Also, they have a great vodka selection - a whole menu of flavored vodka - from fruit flavors to things like ginger and horseradish. It's definitely worth checking the place out.
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