Nurse Bettie

Cute little place with great service and … Yummy Absinthe.
Since we were still in good shape/​did not need an ambulance as I feared after our well-​paced speakeasy crawl, (after planning 6 stops originally I realized wait — I can’t drink 6 drinks or I will be unconscious…) cutting the crawl to ¾, we were good and able to stop by this interesting looking bar before heading home…
I can’t speak to their typical night, crowds or entertainment since It was Super Bowl Sunday and empty but interesting décor with a fantastic ceiling and little lights throughout, and large scantily clad «Betty» paintings.
The bartender was great, friendly and made my friend a super drink, and I was thrilled he was able to make me an absinthe drink…
A great wrap up to the lower east side /​speakeasy Sunday funday.

Way too small and hipster for my liking. Drinks are crazy expensive too!

NB has become a regular stop for us in the LES and MLK weekend was no exception. We met and chatted with the owner (Stephen) who was a gracious host and an interesting guy. We really enjoyed talking with him. The mood in NB is laid back and intimate. The drinks are well=made and unique for the cocktail set. While the space is small, it’s big on making you feel comfortable and unwinding. HIGHLY recommend Nurse Bettie!

Happy hour every day of the week? Yes, please! Applies to everything on the blackboards till 10pm. Shots and select beers on the HH can vary. We each got a shot of grapefruit vodka ($ 5) and a lager ($ 4). Pretty sweet deal.
The place is on the small side, with mostly seats by the bar and along the wall. There’s a couch up front and one in the back, by the bathroom (which is clean, I knew you’d ask). Ambience is dark and intimate, until around maybe 10:30−11pm when it starts to get noticeably loud — the DJ starts doing his magic as the space fills up with late-​night drinkers. But it’s not unbearable — neither the noise level nor the crowdedness. As the night went on, I sipped on a NB-​75 cocktail (which didn’t taste overly fruity — score) as I watched 2 – 3 people casually moving their limbs around to the music. Yes, I guess you could say there’s a dance floor — Nurse Bettie is what you make of it.
All in all, a thumbs-​up for the drinks and ambience. Good spot for romantic dates or girls night out (given you’re not a party of 5+).
p. s. 1 free drink after a purchase during HH upon Unilocal check-​in! Now you have no excuse not to check this place out ;)

Wonderful wonderful! The atmosphere is chic, and you can’t go wrong with the $ 4 happy hour! Also the burlesque shows on Wednesdays and Thursdays are so much fun!

So two friends and I randomly popped up here on a Wednesday night, and because of the shows here this place was packed on a Wednesday.
First thing you notice its a really small, cozy type of place. The stage is all the way in the front so you’ll see people standing on the couches and whatnot to see the show. Drinks here are nothing special, standard bar drinks. People really come here for the burlesque show. I don’t want to ruin it for anyone, but I definitely had a good time here.
My only quarrel is that sometimes you’d feel a bit inclined to tip the dancers when they walk around, which I understand why they’re doing it but can create a uncomfortable dynamic.

Small and quaint. Service was good and doorman who cards and very one was funny! Didn’t see we anyone younger than 30’s so quite surprise with the hassle. Good tequila, limited beer options. Good for a drink and move on… Music was better than other local bars who mostly played 80s on a Friday night. They had lounge/​club music on DJ’d by your very own, bartender.

Last thursday me and my husband went to this place. This was my first burlesque show.
Its a small cozy place with two tables and couple of couches. Its really a small place and was fully packed.
I couldn’t not see the stage, so the bouncer told me i could stand on the couch and see the show. That was really nice of him, i could see the whole show.
The staff is nice and friendly, the girls who were performing were amazing. Awsome dance moves!
Bar is very reasonable as compared to other bars in same neighbourhood.
The best thing about this place is there is no cover charge. Tips are appreciated and they deserve too.
Definitely will be going there soon.

Alright, I really really enjoy this place.
A VERY small place with two tables. An old fashioned, dreamy, cozy, ambiance with brick walls, dim lights (very dark), and painting of suggestive burlesque dancers on the walls. We came right before the free burlesque show started, and it was PACKED. We were squeezed in like sardines, and it was very uncomfortable. However, I was incredibly impressed with how attentive and speedy the bartender was considering the crowd. My bestie and I ordered a few stoli O’s with cranberry which were incredibly strong and provided for a very fun night. The strong drinks and show make up for the uncomfortable spacing. I had never seen burlesque before, I have to say that the show was INCREDIBLE. So much fun, the women were so talented, the host was terrific, and there was an intermission so we managed to secure a spot right in the front when the crowd left to go outside. I cannot believe that this little, tiny, place puts on such an incredible performance! This place is so unique and fun, where else would you find a place like this?! Only on the lower east side! We had such a great time!

Disgusting bar. Small and the music sucks. Bartender is a bitch. Asked her to recommend drinks and she couldn’t

I LOVED this place. Best bachelorette party ever! We reserved a table (there are only 2 tables available), and we had a great view of the dancers if they danced in the back, which is by the front door. If they danced up front, it was harder to see because everyone stands. That’s probably the only downside, but luckily they are all about you standing on the booth to get a better view. They called up the soon-​to-​be bride and had her perform a dance, which she nailed. Then she nabbed a free drink! The various girls have «themed» dances, and Ms. Barbara Streisand totally nailed her part. I was super happy and impressed with all the ladies and their dancing. The alcohol is pretty darn good as well. You can get themed drinks or beer, and I tried a watermelon wheat beer for the first time here. It was most excellent (I know, I was also surprised!).
This place is super cute and quaint. They utilize the space well, and it seemed to attracted a really fun crowd. So, bring your dollar bills and have some fun!

Really cute little bar. Quite small but cozy. Vintage burlesque paintings on the wall. Bartender is very nice and accommodating. Great spot for a quiet drink with friends or a date. I heard they actually have burlesque shows here at some point. I will have to be back to see it. Best part this place has and extended happy hour past 7pm. Yes please.

My first time here… I actually like this place. Its super über cozy, burlesque kind of bar. (I have yet to see a burlesque show and I heard it was pretty awesome) Will definitely be back! Prices are pretty average not over the top. Service was great.
A fly flew into my cosmopolitan & the bartender made me another one! Thank you :)

A cozy, intimate, and very suggestive cocktail bar. I had been here a few times when I had just moved to Manhattan a few years ago, and just visited again recently. Not much has changed, which is a good, nay great thing. They still play the same old school music, have the same fun, yet awkward-if-you-haven’t-been-drinking-enough burlesque shows, and have the low-​key vibe that can be turned (turnt) up to 100 mph in just a short moment. Not a bad place to bring a date who doesn’t mind the low key night turned into a crazy experience.
The bartenders are all very friendly and very liberal with the pouring of the drinks. The service can be a little spotty when it’s busy (duh), so just be aware when you’re there for a show or when it’s peak drinking time. Prices are pretty standard for normal hours and the happy hour specials are decent. You can get a free drink with a Unilocal check-​in, and they’re always pretty good about not pouring you something crappy.
I like that Nurse Bettie seems to have gained a nice cult following, but isn’t crowded to the point where I no longer enjoy being there. I’ve often found myself here randomly at LES happy hours or late, late night weekends for a drink before last call, and it’s always a fun time.

Nurse Bettie very interesting place! must be nice to be a local and come here often? I would but 2000 miles is some sort of obstacle? but definitely it’ll be a must stop next time I’m in the city!
Many thanks to the beautiful Shelly Watson and also her gorgeous entourage! what a great show! ladies sincerely BRAVO!!!

It was an interesting experience coming here. Rock music with a more preppy looking crowd. It’s small but cute and clean. We ordered a vodka seltzer and a Guineas ($ 14 in total). Not a bad place to catch up with friends over drinks.

I’ve been to this bar a few times– don’t let the size fool you. While it’s tiny they really utilize the space very well. There’s a booth in the back that folds down into a small stage where the girls can do their thang. It’s also on a fairly quiet block, so you don’t get as much nonsense pouring in as you would at other bars in the area.
The bartender there, Craig, is an awesome guy. He’s super friendly, has excellent taste in music (think classic rock), and really knows his way around the bar. He’s a LES local who can do some fancy stuff with the booze! He also has no problem keeping ya company if you come in alone (who drinks alone? Not me…). They have a great little cocktail menu, I think most are $ 12. The Hell on Wheels, a spicy tequila drink, is good. But the Pimm’s Cup steals the show. So damn good! Ginger beer and Pimm’s…it’s a New Orleans drink that I had never tried before, and this is the only place I’ve come across it in NY so far. Standard beers, I remember Stella.
The music varies depending on whose bartending. I’ve come when they were playing some swing and oldies, also punk. No matter what it’s never top 40 crap. They also have free Nurse Betty matchbooks with customized art on them, which is something I think not enough bars do anymore.
It’s a great bar, and has a unique vibe different from the usual stuff in the area :)

They do a buy one get one free on beers when you check in with your Unilocal App. Not bad right?! Yea I thought so too. The LES as you know by now is home to a bunch of great divey to regular bars with great prices, and are different sizes. I will say this: this place is on the smaller end of the spectrum. I mean REALLY small. I came in here a week or so ago with fellow Unilocaler Bobby C. and it was the first time i’d actually come here. There wasn’t any burlesque happening but from the size of the place I was thinking: now how would they even have a burlesque show in this super small space? I guess I have to go back to find out now don’t i?

*** Great drinks, Extremely tiny space, Cozy and intimate for a date ***
Very small and cozy. I can’t imagine what it would be like when it’s crowded. I came here on a not so busy weekend night. The drinks were delicious. It’s not a party scene, but more a scene to catch up with a friend. Also, the lighting is very dark which I wasn’t too much of a fan of.

I’ve never had the pleasure of seeing the burlesque show here, but on an off night Nurse Bettie serves as a cozy, intimate bar perfect for a couple drinks and good conversation with friends. Not very crowded at all, and pretty quiet, so definitely not the place to go if you’re looking for a scene. In fact it’s so intimate that I can’t imagine how they squeeze a bunch of dancers in the space, but somehow they make it work I guess.
They made me an excellent extra dirty martini, and they won my heart. Nurse Bettie is just what the doctor ordered!