Corner Bistro: The Iconic Cash-Only Burger Dive of the West Village
Corner Bistro, at 331 West 4th Street, is one of the last of the old bohemian bars in the West Village — a dim, wood-paneled tavern that’s been slinging burgers and cheap beer since the mid-20th century. It’s the western gateway to 4th Street, and the kind of ever-rarer “old New York” room where people still walk in saying they met their spouse here in the seventies. Longtime owner Bill O’Donnell turned it into an icon over 45 years; his daughter has kept it running, unchanged, ever since.
There’s no formal happy hour, but it doesn’t really need one — the whole place is cheap, and the Bistro Burger is one of the best deals in the neighborhood.
What to Expect
The lay of the land:
- No posted happy hour — it’s a dive, so the beer is cheap whenever you go
- Famously cash-only — bring cash to be safe
- Open late — until 2am most nights and 4am Thursday–Saturday
- Expect a line at peak times; it moves, and it’s worth it
The Food
The Bistro Burger is the famously tall, eight-ounce beef burger topped with cheese, bacon and onions, served on a paper plate — routinely on the city’s best-burger lists. Beyond it: a bacon cheeseburger, a chili burger, a chicken sandwich, tater tots and fries. It’s burgers and beer, plain and proud (vegans, the running joke is to order the pickles).
The Room
A consummate neighborhood dive: a dark mahogany bar, worn booths, a jukebox-era feel, and an original ambience the owners are proud to keep exactly as-is. Crowded, comfy, loud, and friendly — about $50 feeds two, beers included.
Who Corner Bistro Is For
| Occasion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| Burgers & beer | The Bistro Burger and a cheap cold one |
| Late night | Open to 2am, and 4am Thursday–Saturday |
| Old New York | One of the last bohemian dives in the Village |
| A no-fuss night | Cash, a booth, and zero pretense |
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Corner Bistro FAQ
Does Corner Bistro have a happy hour?
No posted happy hour — but it’s an old-school dive where the beer is cheap any night, and the Bistro Burger is the real draw.
Where is Corner Bistro?
331 West 4th Street in the West Village (at Jane Street) — near the A/C/E and L at 14th Street–8th Avenue.
Is Corner Bistro cash-only?
It’s famously cash-only — bring cash to be safe.
What are the hours?
Roughly 11:30am to 2am most nights, and until 4am Thursday–Saturday.
Details last verified June 2026. Corner Bistro has no posted happy hour and is cash-only; hours can change — confirm before visiting.