Archive · modern edition Every bar New York on Tap knew, as it stood around 2008, with a 2026 check on each one. This page in the 2008 edition
Tillman's, photographed for New York on Tap
Photo from the 2008 site

A New York on Tap pick

Tillman's

Uptown vibe downtown address

165 W. 26th St · btwn 6th & 7th Ave
Chelsea, Manhattan

In 2026

Closed; now Sid Gold's Request Room

Checked October 15, 2026.

Overview

Harlem in the 70's re-envisioned in this Chelsea lounge. Surprisingly it works rather well.
This soulful lounge on the edge of Chelsea and the Flatiron district is designed to evoke the feel of a Harlem in the 1970's. Prints of jazz musicians, waitresses in short black dresses, and Sugar Hill on tap fill the bill, but the real appeal here is a warm and welcoming lounge space where a group of friends can take over a giant leather U-shaped banquette and lose themselves in conversation. For those more interested in making new friends, the front bar has the makings of a single's scene if only as a natural product of the compact space and a drinking crowd.

Why you should go

  • A friendly vibe here makes for a welcome respite from the pretenses of so many less attractive lounges in the neighborhood.
  • A great space for sitting with friends conversing, people watching, and conversing about people watching.
  • Where else in Chelsea can you find Sugar Hill on tap?

What you should know

  • Get there early and you might be able to take over an elevated section with couches and its own fireplace.
  • With a menu of mostly sandwiches (albeit scrumptious ones) food is meant to play backup to the booze.
  • Monday is open mic night. Be warned.

History

Old-school Harlem, minus the cab fare

In December 2006 UrbanDaddy greeted Tillman's, a new lounge from one of the Pravda guys, as old-school Harlem brought to Chelsea: put away your cab fare1. Back then we said this vision of Harlem in the seventies surprisingly worked rather well. Time Out now lists it as closed2.

Sources

  1. urbandaddy.com
  2. timeout.com

Researched October 2026.

What's nearby