Decibel - New York

4.5 stars, rounding to 5. Absolutely love the vibes here! I recently visited Japan and Sake Bar Decibel truly reminds me of the back alley izakayas there. The interior is charmingly cluttered with Japanese lanterns and lots of scribblings on the wall. Since it's a small space, you might need to wait a while if you have a large party. Groups of 2-4 are the sweet spot. It's also super loud and dark (adds to the dive-y izakaya vibe). They offer a variety of delicious sakes. There's something for everyone, from sweet to dry. If you're not looking for traditional sake, they also offer pitchers of lychee martinis (super easy to drink).

Most other spots along St Mark's were already closed. I stumbled upon Decibel by surprise. Upon entering i was greeted by the aroma of Kewpie. And Suddenly found myself in an alternate dining room... This is definitely the place you come to for Drinks. The food menu was definitely built around that. I ordered the Kara Age which reminded me more of a Chicharron de Pollo sin Hueso. Which in hindsight would have kicked ass with a side of Plain Curry. My budget was two beers. But the Sake list, extensive. Enticing. I never been to Japan. But couldn't help but to admire the decoration of Japanese things and stickers all over the place. At the very least, it was a nice place to just finally sit down for a few and rest my feet after a long day. Especially considering the hour (already past midnight). Upon exiting, the sign behind the metal staircase brought me back into reality. It was as if i had teleported into another dimension for a moment. And it was awesome.

When I used to live nearby, this was my favorite spot for a first date, for several reasons: It was affordable, so I would usually just order a carafe of lychee martini. The food wasn't fantastic, but that was actually a good thing because it meant you didn't have to spend a lot. The atmosphere was loud, which encouraged you to sit close to your date. It was easy to get a reservation, so there wasn't usually a wait. The restaurant was close to the subway and had a 90-minute seating limit. Plus, everyone looked better in the dim lighting. They played good music and the owners were laid-back. People would sometimes get tipsy, which was entertaining to watch. Some may call it a "shithole," but I would give it 5/5 stars overall. I wish there was a sake bar like this in every neighborhood and city!

If you're looking for a great atmosphere and delicious drinks, this place is perfect. The food is also inexpensive and tasty. We ordered the lychee martini carafe and two was enough for our group of six.

Lychee Martini was much weaker than I thought. No effects at all and we all ended up ordering another drink. The Yuzu Soda was actually pretty good and I'm glad that the waiter recommended that to us. Takowasa is another favorite. My friends put me on it tonight and I have to say it has an interesting but addicting taste to it. Should def try if it's your first time.