By West Side Rag
A storied Upper West Side bar is about to honor its 35th anniversary in the neighborhood with a multi-day celebration.
The Hi-Life Bar & Grill at 477 Amsterdam Avenue, near the corner of West 83rd Street, will have been in business for 35 years on April 20. The bar will celebrate the anniversary from Monday, April 20, through Thursday, April 23, with a variety of special menu offerings.
Those offerings include a complimentary Champagne cocktail for all guests on Monday, April 20.
“Founded in 1991 by Earl Geer, Hi-Life was created in the spirit of New York Bar & Grill’s from the 1930s and ’40s, a genre that was already disappearing,” read a news release about Hi-Life’s 35th anniversary. “These been-there-forever joints were defined by their inviting mix of art-deco working-class elegance and neighborhood comfort, with neon signage drawing passersby inside to enjoy cocktails, hearty meals, and convivial company – and while 35 years isn’t ‘forever’, it’s fair to say Hi-Life has done them proud!”
Greer continues to run the bar, along with other family members.
For the celebration period, customers can also take advantage of “Hi-Life Combos,” which will be $35 food and drink combinations, including:
- Surf & Turf: Trio of Mini Burgers, Sushi Roll*, Hi-Life Hi-Ball*
- Champagne & Oysters: ½ Dozen Blue Point, 3 Kumamoto Oysters, Champagne Cocktail*
- Hi-Life “Girl Dinner”: Caesar Salad, Cone of Hand-Cut Fries, Tito’s Vodka Martini
- Hi-Life Burger & Beers: Flame-Grilled Hi-Life Burger Deluxe*, 2 Pints of Draft Beer*
- Four Hi-Life “35s”: Classic French 75 cocktails renamed for the anniversary
- Hi-Life Merch Bundle: Anniversary Hi-Life Hat or Shirt, Hi-Life Tote, Hi-Life35 Button
Hi-Life is open daily until midnight.
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Check the dates please – April 20th is a Monday. Is the free champagne happening tomorrow, April 19th, or on Monday?
Thanks, fixed.
To me it’s still the late, much-missed and often-lamented Forest and Sea restaurant. Fan favorite. RIP. But congrats to Hi Life nonetheless.
Yes! Forest and Sea was wonderful, long before Amsterdam Avenue became gentrified. Does anyone know what became of the husband and wife who ran it?
gooing way back to old days of the UWS! Ernies, Teachers, Marvin Gardens, etc. Only makes one realize how those fine establishments couldn’t reach 35 years! Congrats to Earl and the crew!
Hope you’re able to stay in business going forward.
Congratulations to Hi-Life! Every time I went on vacation or traveled I would go there for a burger the night I got back home. Now that I live in Tokyo I miss it (although we have some great burger joints here too).
It’s one of a kind and long may it wave.
What ever happened to Hi Life UES? Always reminded me of Seinfeld’s bizarro world.
Congrats Hi Life! First you get the scaffold down, now this. I live on the block and grew up in the neighborhood (I’m ten years older than the bar) and even walking by the sign makes me happy
I remember having a martini there in May 1991 after a trip down south. It became the northern point of a triangle, with Museum Cafe and Ms Elle’s on 79th St. the others.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY HIGH LIFE.