Mother’s Ruin

Bars, Cocktail bars Nolita
5 out of 5 stars
(9user reviews)
Runner-up<br/>2016

Runner-up
2016
Runner-up<br/>2016

Runner-up
2016
Photograph: Jakob N. Layman
Mother's Ruin

At this airy Nolita drinkery, co-owners Timothy Lynch and Richard Knapp bring in a rotating cast of star bartenders to sling classic and contemporary drinks. The laid-back space—done up with a cream tin ceiling, exposed brick and weathered-wood bar—also offers a full menu. Sip your cocktail and nibble on globally inflected bites, including the TONY-approved spicy fried chickpeas, mini merguez meatball grinders and ginger-glazed duck wings.

 

Posted:

Venue name: Mother’s Ruin
Contact:
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Address: 18 Spring St
New York
10012
Cross street: between Elizabeth and Mott Sts
Opening hours: Mon–Fri 5pm–4am; Sat, Sun noon–4am
Transport: Subway: J, Z to Bowery; 6 to Spring St
Price: Average drink: $10. AmEx, DC, Disc, MC, V
Do you own this business?
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Average User Rating

4.9 / 5

Rating Breakdown

  • 5 star:8
  • 4 star:1
  • 3 star:0
  • 2 star:0
  • 1 star:0
LiveReviews|9
1 person listening
tastemaker

Mother's Ruin is an ideal date spot--a cozy secluded bar in Nolita with stiff cocktails and a great vibe. It's always bustling post Happy Hour so be sure to go early if you want a seat/bite. 

tastemaker

Mother's Ruin is a great little bar in Nolita with a cozy atmosphere and strong drinks. I went late on a Saturday night to find the bar packed, but we still managed to get our drinks quickly and find a spot at the bar. It was definitely a little too crowded and the bathroom situation wasn't ideal (the line of 4 people trailed into the rest of the bar area), so I hope to come back again when it's a little less crowded and get a better feel for the place in the daytime hours.

tastemaker

Be ready for the heat. From the drinks to the mains, everything we consumed at Mother's Ruin was a little spicy and a lot delicious. The day I went was one of the hottest this summer, so the AC blast when we first walked in was a welcome friend. We were seated right away in the corner of the back table and were waited upon in a timely, friendly manner. 


As I mentioned above, it was a scorcher. Therefore, their shandy was just about the perfect thing to order. It had a kick of heat (and whiskey) and was a great antidote for the weather. The food lived up to the same standard. We left nothing of the biscuits & gravy and BEC pictured below on the plate within moments of that photo. As I said, everything had a bit of heat, but it wasn't too overwhelming. Can't wait to go back again. 


Waited only ten minutes for Saturday brunch. Lord everything we ordered. My bourbon Hot Toddy was perfectly strong and well spiced. The chicken waffle we got as an appetizer and then both of us devoured our crab cake Benedict and French onion soup grilled cheese. Food was excellent. Service from waiter and support staff was prompt and friendly. Highly recommended!

Tastemaker

Sooo this is the kind of place that makes me wonder why I don't hang out in Nolita more often. Great crowd, great food: French Onion Grilled Cheese? Yes. Old Bay Waffle Fries? I'll have 2 orders please. My favorite things about Mother's Ruin was the bartender. I'm an annoying customer and never know what I want to order so he asked me what was my liquor of choice, did I mint mint? and was a sweet or bitter person. He then proceeded to whip together a delicious gin-and-mint-sweet-cocktail. I love bartenders like that, who actually enjoy their job and thrive on my indecisiveness.

Thank you Mother's Ruin.


This place is the best!!!  The food is amazing at a great price, the drinks are mixed so well you would pay twice what they charge and the staff tops it off!!!!!  Hat's off the Mothers!!!!!!