Every neighborhood needs a watering hole, but if you live on the Upper East Side, it’s hard to find a place. There are plenty of fraternity-inspired bars that cater to a younger audience, but if you want a fairly casual but still nice sports bar experience, it’s hard to know where to turn. Mile 17 (named as such because it’s at the marker of the 17th mile in the New York Marathon) fills that void.
The bar is comfortable and stylish—there are plenty of bar seats if you’d like to saddle up for a drink and perhaps a few minutes of the game (there are plenty of television sets), and comfortable booths and tables abound toward the back of the restaurant if you fancy a meal or a big group outing. The cocktail menu is short, and for good reason—cocktail drinkers are best suited to choosing their classic liquor-and-mixer combo. Mile 17 isn’t a cocktail bar, and their drinks, like the Cupan Tae ($10), a mix of tea-infused Hendricks gin with lemon soda, and the Magic Mile 17 ($13), Hendricks gin, St. Germain, mint, lemon, and Prosecco, fall mostly flat. On a recent night, the former was so tannic it made your mouth pucker, and the latter was too sweet and not well-mixed. But fear not: there are plenty of fresh-tasting beers on tap (they rotate, too, and prices vary) and a short but suitable wine list.
Hungry? Mile 17 has plenty to nosh on, ranging from salads and hummus for the health conscious to the normal game-day foods of burgers and wings. A platter of nachos supreme ($9.95) with chipotle chicken—you can also get vegan chili or beef—arrived hot and gooey, the spicy chicken playing wonderfully with the fresh salsa and guacamole (it does not cost extra). Build-your-own burgers ($12) are also a great option—they can arrive slightly overcooked, but are juicy and flavorful and perfect for soaking up sorrows when your team loses. Sweet potato fries are also a winner, cut into large wedges, fried, and served crispy, salty, and hot.
Mile 17 is a sports bar for the adults of the Upper East Side. Warm and inviting, it’s a great place to watch football, grab a bite, or start a weekend with friends.
BY: TIME OUT COMMUNITY REVIEWER LINDSAY DENNINGER