Moca Bar & Lounge

Last night was my FIRST and LAST night going to Moca with a few co-​workers. When we first got there we quickly grabbed out seats, only because the space isn’t that big, and if we would’ve waited we prob would have eaten standing up. Soon as we were seated, I felt a cold draft hitting me on the back of my neck! It was very uncomfortable sitting there. If I wanted to be cold I would’ve just stayed outside. Next, I needed to use the restroom. I walked downstairs to the basement. That bathroom was HORRIBLE! The toilet wouldn’t flush, there was already urine and tissue inside the toilet. It just looked real dirty. My final discomfort, were the drinks. I asked for a Sex on the Beach. The bartender does NOT know how to make drinks at all! All I tasted was vodka and some weak juice. I asked my waitress for a bit more juice, which was a bad request because my vodka turned into just juice. Didn’t drink it. I then asked for a strawberry Margarita. DISGUSTING! I ended up returning my drink ready to go. The only reason I gave them A STAR, was my food. I ordered the jerk chicken, rice and plantains. It was pretty good! Besides that, I will NEVER go back! Horrible place!

We were so pumped to find this place after our other plans fell through. Cozy good music, great menu and prices. Service was okay. Then a group of belligerently drunk middle aged men came to our table, started making really inappropriate advances, and ATE THE FOOD FROM OUR PLATES. We tried several times to flag a waitress or management and we were ignored. Then after three or four times, we finally got a hold of our waitress and all we got was a half-​hearted sorry and excuses about how they didn’t have security. AT A BAR. No attempts to remedy the situation at all. It’s a shame that customer service seems to be so pathetic here. Even on the reviews, the business owner is giving a canned response about returning to Moca for a better experience. Nope. I will not be returning. Your customer service is abominable.

Yaasss! I went on a Tuesday night for Erotic Poetry and the place was on point. Smaller then I thought but the ambiance was good. The comedians were actually funny and even though some of the poets were corny it was very entertaining. Not a fan of the mini Burgers.

Respectfully, I think you missed the point of my critique. I’m fine paying $ 18 for a cocktail. And I’m fine tipping generously if the drink is delivered quickly and with a positive attitude. It’s NYC after all. What irks me is that the menu didn’t list the prices, the waiter deceived me on the price, and I was forced to include a gratuity, which negates the very reason for tipping.

If I could give this place a 0 star rating, I most definitely would.
I went here last Thursday night and ordered a seltzer water (club soda a.k.a carbonated water) while waiting for a friend. When they arrived, they ordered two beers and I ordered apps for the table. I don’t drink, so I ordered two more seltzer waters.
When our bill came, the waitress had charged me for three waters at $ 5.00 each, for a total of $ 15.00. So my waters cost more than my friend’s beers. I’ve ate and drank at a lot of bars and restaurants not just in NYC, but in every major metropolitan city in the US.
Never, have I ever been charged for refills in a GLASS of water when ordering food and drinks at the table, only if it was bottled. The water I was given, was literally coming out of a tap behind the bar.
When I called the waitress out about refilling my water without informing me that she was continually charging me for carbonated WATER, she just laughed.
On top of being overpriced, the waitresses here were unprofessional, chatting in the corners, hanging over each other, on their phones, and overall inattentive. Perhaps that’s why this place implements mandatory tips.
I most certainly will never visit this establishment again.

Happy hour drinks are great. Slighty older urban crowd. Wings were kind of lame though. Worth eating not worth coming back for.

In short and sweet terms, its a good spot for an afternoon turn up.
I’ve never been to comedy night and while I have considered erotic poetry for laughs (because I imagine it would be a mess), I’ve only gone for happy hour.
How is previously mentioned happy hour? AMAZING. The drinks are always strong (I usually have two and then I’m done), the selection is vast, and there’s a few discounted food items to help you with that liquor consumption! Also, I always have a nice chat with bartenders during my time there and I LOVE a personable bartender!
Why three stars? It’s not my kind of venue honestly. It’s quite loud (always copious amounts of rap/​hip hop), the crowd is older than what am I used to, its rather small, and the food is nothing to rave about. Sure after some drinks the food is fine, but there are better places to get a meal. Right in the area at that.
But hey, if you need a new and super cheap happy hour location, this isn’t a bad place to check out!

Our waitress was great! The bartender though… she gave us vodka when we asked for tequila and gave us shit when we asked for the drink we ordered. Swerve.

Moca Lounge is THE place to be on Tuesday night for erotic poetry. The hosts JP Justice and Matt are hilarious! The crowd is cool and the hosts regularly engage with the audience. The food is good, the drinks are good and the music is always on point. It’s an adult crowd and EVERYONE is very friendly. I’ve observed that people come alone or with a friend. Lots of laughter is guaranteed.

Monday comedy nights are more fun than ever!

There’s never a dull moment at Moca Lounge. The Comedy is HILARIOUS ! The poetry is a variety of themes and very original. I always feel uplifted among my brothers and sistas’ when I come here. Everybody is friendly (Staff and Guests)
Great spot to meet your neighboring Black New Yorkers. The crowd is not shy at all! This place is not small and not big. Cozy.
Tuesday Nights are Comedy/​Poetry starting at 9:00pm. Happy hour from 5−9pm.
Comedy/​Poetry 9:00pm-11:30pm. The food is decent (Burgers/​Fries/​Wings). Get that Jolly rancher Drink!!!
Crowd is grown and sexy Early 30s. The DJ is good. Music is not to loud, you can have a conversation here.
Tips
Tuesday Night is the Best Night. No cover charge
Women Attire: After work Chic (Classy and Sexy)
Men: After Work Attire (Grown and Neat)
There is No Coat Check, Plenty of seating to hang your coat on your chair.
Minimum 10 $ for card
Security Guard at the door
Only six seats at the Bar and plenty of couches/​lounge chairs for seating.
Bartenders are Down to Earth Sistas who make Great drinks

First time coming here on a weekday. The is very calm and pleasant spot. Love the décor and the fact it’s not crowded is a plus. I’m redeeming an Amazon local deal for $ 30 during happy hour (until 9 m-​th 8 f) which is really cool. The music is soulful and even the women who work here are very attractive which is always a plus for a single guy such as myself.lol.Really digging the after work vibe here. I will be returning for sure.

I came here for comedy night and it was ok. I don’t drink alcohol so I had ginger ale all night (3). I was really shocked they’d charge $ 5 for a glass filled with ice and a bit of ginger ale. Even when I go to a club or lounge downtown, it’s either $ 3 or $ 4 but 5 bucks in Harlem??? I’m a not cheap when it comes to hanging out but I’m against being overcharged for simple things. How come a cocktail cost $ 6, a beer $ 5 and a glass of ice and ginger ale be $ 5.
Anyway, won’t happen to me again.

Came here on an amazon local deal on a Sunday evening which was $ 15 for $ 30(pretty good deal). The place is quite small and have couch seating or bar seating which is pretty standard for a lounge. When we got there it was DEAD! We were the only customers so I felt a tad bit awkward. Nevertheless, the bartender/​server came and took our order. We ordered two juicy sliders with seasoned fries for $ 7 which was a happy hour deal. They have very good happy hour deals when it comes to food which are all about $ 7 you cant beat that. In addition, we got a regular order of buffalo wing. My sliders were delicious and the wings were a tad bit overcooked but still edible. I then ordered a sour amaretto which I swore was juice but hey! I had a decent experience I would go back for the sliders and good music.

Nice lounge, good music, good crowd., very strong drinks, dress code, ok no hats allowed , but u could wear shorts kind of confusing!

Small spot. Perfect for a quick pregame. The nutcracker is strong and drinable (not overly bitter but not sweet)
Few people inside the times i’ve went. I always find a spot to sit whether at the bar or on the couches.
The bathroom is downstairs and decent.
The décor is a little worn (leather on some of the sofas are cracked.) So if you’re trying to impress a date I wouldn’t recommend this spot, until they upgrade the look.
However, if youre date is down to earth (like I am LOL) then go listen to some press and play music (not sure when or if they have a live DJ) and drink!
Ive been on a weeknight only so this review covers that.

Love this place the food is always great i go on Tuesday night for the erotic poetry night the crew is very fun the host is amazing .
Follow my ig @hairpro89

I was invited to Moca Lounge for my best friend’s birthday. Just a small get together of friends nothing serious, three of us arrived sans the birthday girl, of course she gets to be fashionably late, around 9pm.
There were bouncers at the door but they were very friendly so we had no issue getting in. We were greeted by a nicely dressed hostess, who told us we can sit wherever we’d like. There were lounge couches though were worn, were still comfy with tables and cute little seats on the opposing side.
We didn’t catch happy hour so drinks were average prices, 11ish, strong and tasty, the waitress was really patient and nice. The DJ was great, he played a lot of R&B, Hip Hop, and old school that kept my crew rocking until 3am. The crowd is a bit older think 30’s so definitely not the place if you’re looking to make-​out with stranger, or make love in the club.
I would come back, but for happy hour.

Honestly, I love this place! Been here several times with my co workers for happy hour after work. Service is great and the drinks and food are awesome! Drinks are quite strong so be careful! My favorite is the Chocolatini! It’s delicious. As for their happy hour food menu I love their fried catfish and jerk wings. A great place to relax and hang out during happy hour for drinks and small bites!

Great place for happy hour. Have specials during the week till 9pm that pretty damn good. It’s. Neighborhood lounge with character. Once you walk in you feel like your in the heart of Harlem. The décor is ⁵⁄₁₀. Large couches with vintage soft couches with plush leather chairs all add to the simple décor. The people are original and the music is hip hop and throw back eighties.
I really enjoyed the drinks they are strong. I was a Martini girl all evening. Given the variety in the menu options you could get drunk and then order burgers and wings to absorb the alcohol.
I would come back with a groups of girls not so good for couples. The atmosphere is chill with a sexy edge. Check it out once you start drinking your keep going and the smiles won’t stop.