damnlines.comdamnlines.comA ~10-table West Village steakhouse whose burger and prime rib make it one of NYC's hardest tables to book.
The line here is the reservation. The restaurant's own site says slots open 21 days out at 9am EST, cap at six guests, carry a $5-per-person hold, and may not be resold or traded. Tasting Table reports there are only about 10 tables and that online slots are 'typically snatched up within seconds,' often going to regulars. The Infatuation notes the book effectively prioritizes returning diners, so first-timers rarely land one online.
That pushes newcomers to the walk-in line. The Infatuation says to line up outside no later than 3pm and wait for the host to start seating around 3:45pm; Tasting Table gives the same window and adds that arriving before 3pm on weekdays is the best shot. Both suggest asking to be seated at open rather than holding out for a 7pm slot.
Tasting Table floats two side doors: come after 10pm during the dinner rush, or take bar seats, which it reports run on the same walk-in basis with the same full menu. The kitchen runs until 11:30pm most nights and 10pm on Sundays, per Tasting Table.
No camera here yet — but these lines are on camera right now:
Salt Hank's · 6 min walkclosedL'industrie Pizzeria · 6 min walkclosedJohn's of Bleecker Street · 6 min walkclosedWe don't have a live camera here, so no real-time count. For walk-ins, The Infatuation and Tasting Table say to be in line outside by 3pm and that the host starts seating around 3:45pm, so plan to wait from roughly 3pm until seating begins.
The Infatuation says line up no later than 3pm and wait for the host to start seating around 3:45pm. Tasting Table agrees that arriving before 3pm on weekdays gives the best odds.
The venue's own site says reservations open 21 days in advance at 9am EST with a $5-per-person hold and no reselling. Tasting Table reports the roughly 10 tables sell out 'within seconds' and often go to regulars, and The Infatuation says the book prioritizes returning diners.
Tasting Table reports the bar seats run on a walk-in basis with the same full menu, so they can be an easier way in than a booked table.
For a walk-in, Tasting Table suggests arriving before 3pm on weekdays for the first seating around 3:45pm, or coming after 10pm during the dinner rush when the line loosens.