You’ve probably seen the red velvet curtains. Maybe you’ve heard the faint, jazzy chords of a piano drifting out onto Great Jones Street while you’re standing in line for something way less cool. The Nines isn't just a bar; it’s basically a portal to a version of Manhattan that supposedly died out decades ago. But honestly, trying to snag a table there feels like auditioning for a role you didn't know was casting.
If you’re hunting for The Nines NYC reservations, you already know the deal. It’s one of the hardest gets in the city. The Resy "Notify" button is basically a decorative feature at this point. People treat these bookings like they’re trading crypto—fast, aggressive, and full of heartbreak.
The 14-Day Rule and the Morning Rush
Most people think they can just log in on a Friday night and find a spot for next month. Nope. Not even close.
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The Nines typically releases its tables 14 days in advance. The clock usually strikes at 9:00 AM EST. If you’re not hitting refresh at 8:59:59, you’re essentially choosing to stay home. By 9:01 AM, the prime slots—those 7:30 PM or 8:00 PM seats where the room is actually humming—are gone. They vanish.
I’ve seen it happen. You click a 7:00 PM slot, it asks for your credit card, and by the time you hit "confirm," the app tells you someone else grabbed it. It’s brutal.
- Timing is everything: 14 days out, 9:00 AM.
- The Platform: It’s all on Resy. Don't bother calling the restaurant at noon hoping for a miracle; the hosts are great, but they aren't magicians.
- Credit Card Info: Make sure your Amex or whatever you use is already saved in your Resy profile. If you have to type in a CVV, you’ve already lost.
Is the "Notify" List Actually Worth It?
Short answer: Kinda.
Longer answer: It’s a game of speed. When someone cancels—and they do, because life happens—Resy blasts out a notification to everyone on the list. You aren't the only one getting that text. Hundreds of other people are seeing it at the exact same time.
If you want to win the "Notify" lottery, you have to be the person who lives with their phone in their hand. If you see the buzz, you click. You don't check with your group chat to see if Tuesday at 10:15 PM works. You book it, then you tell them where to be.
The Secret of the Lounge and Walk-ins
Here is something most people overlook. The Nines actually holds a portion of the front lounge for walk-ins.
Now, don't get too excited. Walking in doesn't mean you stroll up at 8:00 PM and get a velvet chair. If you want to walk in, you show up early. Like, "we’re having a very early dinner" early. If you arrive right when they open (usually 5:00 PM or 6:00 PM depending on the day), you have a decent shot at a spot in the lounge.
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The lounge has the same menu. You still get the martinis. You still get the "dressed to the nines" vibe. You just might be sitting on a slightly different piece of furniture. Honestly, the lounge is sometimes better for people-watching anyway.
The "Rainy Night" Theory
I’ve heard this from a few regulars: show up on a Tuesday when the weather is miserable. New Yorkers are surprisingly flaky when it’s pouring rain. That 2-hour wait for a walk-in suddenly drops to 20 minutes. It's not a guarantee, but it’s a solid gamble if you’re already downtown.
What You’re Actually Booking For
Let's be real about why you're doing this. You’re going for the Kaspian Potato. It’s a baked potato topped with a generous amount of caviar, and it’s basically the mascot of the restaurant.
Is it expensive? Yeah.
Is it a bit extra? Absolutely.
Is it delicious? Honestly, yes.
The menu is a mix of high-low that feels very "Old New York." You’ve got a $26 martini (they are stiff, be careful) and then you’ve got things like tuna tartare or a very solid burger. The vibe is "supper club," but the food actually holds its own.
The Dress Code (Don't Ignore This)
They call it The Nines for a reason. If you show up in a hoodie and beat-up sneakers because you think you're "too cool to care," the door staff will politely remind you that they do care.
Proper dinner attire is the move. You don't necessarily need a tuxedo, but throw on a blazer. Put on the heels. It’s one of the few places left in the city where everyone actually makes an effort, and it makes the whole experience feel like a movie set rather than just another dinner in NoHo.
Troubleshooting the Resy Bot Problem
It's no secret that people use bots to snag reservations at places like this. It sucks. It makes it nearly impossible for a normal person to get a table.
However, Resy has been getting better at purging bot-made bookings. They often do a "cleanup" where they cancel suspicious reservations. This usually happens a few days before the actual date. If you’ve been striking out, check the app again 48 to 72 hours before your desired night. You’ll often see a few slots pop back into existence as the bots get kicked out or people realize they can't make the $50-per-person cancellation fee.
Practical Steps to Get Your Table
- Set the Alarm: 8:58 AM, two weeks before your date.
- Use the App, Not the Web: The Resy mobile app is generally faster and handles the "click-to-book" transition smoother than a desktop browser.
- Be Flexible: If you can’t get 7:00 PM, take the 10:00 PM. The piano player is usually in full swing by then anyway, and the room feels much more electric late at night.
- The Bar is Your Friend: If it’s just two of you, look for bar seating. It’s often easier to snag than a table and offers the best view of the pianist.
- Check for "Hidden" Times: Sometimes the restaurant holds back specific tables for larger parties. If you have a group of 6, you might actually find it easier (or harder, depending on the week) than a table for 2.
The Nines is one of those places that actually lives up to the hype, provided you can get through the door. It’s dark, it’s red, it’s loud in a good way, and for a couple of hours, you can pretend the 21st century hasn't happened yet. Just make sure you've got your Resy finger ready.
Next Step: Open your Resy app right now and search for The Nines. Look at the calendar exactly 14 days from today. If it says "Add to Waitlist," you know you missed the 9:00 AM window—mark your calendar for tomorrow morning and try again.