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Slideshow
Top nine hotel bars: New York
In the city that never sleeps, there are no end of cocktail bars to explore – but some of the most spectacular just happen to be located within its most iconic hotels.
Situated within buildings that have in some cases stood for more than a century, these bars are often some of the most architecturally impressive in which to enjoy a Martini – from the spectacularly-painted Rotunda at The Pierre and glass-ceiling opulence of The Palm at The Plaza, to the quirky-yet-cosy Library Bar at The Nomad.
You might not be able to afford a room at the St Regis, but what’s stopping you propping up at its historic King Cole Bar for its signature Bloody Mary?
Here, we roundup a selection of New York’s most striking and iconic hotel bars.
For our round-up of London-based hotel cocktail bars, click here.
The Jane Hotel Ballroom
The gargantuan ballroom at Jane’s Hotel is filled oozes old-world ambience, stuffed animals, antique rugs, exotic furniture, palms and, somewhat incongruently, a giant disco ball. The hotel itself was built in 1908, originally as a hotel for sailors with cabin-like rooms. In 1912, the survivors of the Titanic stayed at the hotel until the end of the American Inquiry into the ship’s sinking. The surviving crew held a memorial service at the hotel four days after the ship sank. During the ‘80s and ‘90s, the hotel was part of downtown New York’s bohemian culture, hosting Hedwig and the Angry Inch and the Million Dollar Club, amongst many other rock-n-roll events. A cocktail called the Hedwig – comprised of honey vodka, strawberry puree and fresh dill – remains on its menu in homage to this era. The hotel was restored on its centennial in 2008 by hotelier Sean MacPherson, and is now run by Matt Kliegman and Carlos Quirarte of downtown NY restaurant The Smile.
Signature sip: The Punjab is a mix of organic cucumber vodka and limoncello, garnished with cucumber
Who to know: Matt Kliegman and Carlos Quirarte, hip restaurant and nightclub owners with a knack for attracting the in-crowd. The pair co-own cooler-than-cool breakfast spot The Smile and also run the kitchen at Ruschmeyer’s in Montauk.
113 Jane St., New York
The Palm Court at The Plaza
Often likened the the London’s Ritz, thanks to its pretty palm-inspired interior and reputation for serving up the best afternoon tea in town, The Palm Court at The Plaza has been serving up cocktails for over a century. Many are inspired by Trader Vic’s – the Polynesian-themed restaurant opened by Victor Jules Bergeron Jr in the basement of The Plaza in 1965 – including the Barbados Red Rum Swizzle and Chartreusian Velvet Sling, which are complemented by a tome of classic cocktails such as the Hemingway Daiquiri and Gatsby Mint Julep. Since opening in 1907, The Plaza has played host to countless celebrities, presidents and foreign dignitaries, survived two World Wars, The Great Depression and Prohibition.
Signature sip: The Gatsby Mint Julep – a mix of Four Roses bourbon, fresh lime juice, cane sugar syrup, mint and Hennessy VSOP Cognac
Who to know: Brian Van Flandern, head mixologist and “spirits historian” at The Plaza. A world renowned bartender, Van Flandern’s previous credits including working as head barman in 2004 as part of the opening team for Thomas Keller’s restaurant Per Se in New York. His book, Vintage Cocktails, won the Gourmand World Cookbook Award for best Cocktail book in 2009.
Fifth Avenue at Central Park South
Bar 54 at The Hyatt, Times Square
The tallest hotel bar in Times Square, Bar 54 is located on the 54th floor offering sky-high views across the city, including the Empire State Building. Reopening in December 2013, its plush seating and atmospheric fire make its a cosy spot to survey the city from the heart of Times Square. While its balcony is the main draw, offering river-to-river views across Manhattan, its lounge is also worth the trip. Inspired by nature, its central feature is a wooden “trunk” with laser-cut mirrored ceiling panels to suggest a leaf canopy. Small plates on offer include charcuterie, spanish octopus and shishito peppers with ponzo mayo and bonito flakes.
Signature sip: Its Miracle On 45th St cocktail is a mix of kappa pisco, grapefruit, lime and lavender syrup topped up with Champagne
Who to know: Mixologist Julie Reiner and Tom Macy, co-owners of The Clover Club, who were brought in to curate Bar 54’s menu.
135 West 45th Street, New York
The Rotunda at The Pierre
A well-known events space popular with weddings, The Routunda at the Pierre is a stunning circular room adorned with renaissance-style paintings and gold-flecked columns. This summer, the space was renovated by architect and designer Daniel Romualdez and reopened as a public space offering table side cocktails and all-day dining.
Its cocktail carts see bartenders mix bespoke serves table side, offering a selection of classic cocktails inspired by famous mixologists from The Pierre and elsewhere. A specialty cart serves rare spirits that changes with the seasons. Dishes include Maine Lobster Tartine to Welsh Rarebit to Spaghetti Bolognese, while the room’s central table is filled with chilled Champagne, overflowing jars of macarons and cakes piled high.
2 East 61st Street at Fifth AvenueNew York
The Library at the Nomad Hotel
The Library Bar is housed within a fully curated, two-level library at the Nomad Hotel, filled with leather chairs, persian carpets and dimmed lighting. A quiet spot away from the hum of the city, guests can enjoy bespoke serves while leafing through historic tomes, classic literature and, of course, books on cocktails and spirits.
Signature sip: Its Coq-Tail, a duo of serves for two people, comes in two halves. The first serve is a mix of Absolut Elyx, Chambery Blanc Vermouth, Elderflower Liqueur, Absinthe, Yusu, rosemary0infused honey, pineapple and lemmon. The second part is a blend of black truffle-infused Absolut Elyx, Amontillado Sherry, Chambery Blanc Vermouth, lemon and orgeat.
Who to know: Leo Robitschek, bar director at the Nomad Hotel, joined the team in 2005 and has played a significant role in the development of the group’s cocktail offering. His previous posts include head bartender at Eleven Madison Park.
1170 Broadway, New York, NY 10001
The King Cole Bar at the St Regis Hotel
The King Cole Bar opened at the St Regis Hotel in 1948 and underwent a major renovation in 2013, reopening as the King Cole Bar and Salon. A huge mural, painted by artist Maxfield Parrish, of King Cole hangs behind the bar, from which the venue’s name is derived. The mural features “Old King Cole” who was a “merry old soul” calling for his ‘fiddlers three’ and some other musicians.
Signature sip: The Bloody Mary. The St Regis lays claim to having invented this classic serve, noting that its head bartender Fernand Petiot introduced the “Red Snapper” in 1934, which would later be renamed the Bloody Mary.
Who to know: Head bartender, Robert Albright.
stregisnewyork.com
2 E 55th St, New York, NY 10022
Peakcock Alley cocktail bar at the Waldorf Astoria
Located within the lobby of the iconic Waldorf Astoria, the legendary Peacock Alley is known for its innovative cocktail list and extravagant brunch menu. Its Waldorf Champagne brunch takes ingredients from the hotel’s 20th floor rooftop garden with famed dishes invented by the iconic hotel, such Eggs Benedict, Waldorf Salad and Red Velvet Cake, featuring, alongside a raw bar with caviar, clams, oysters, lobster and shrimp.
Its name takes inspiration from the promenade of individuals to waft through the iconic hotel’s lobby between the original Waldorf and The Astoria hotels showcasing the latest fashions, passing what became Peacock Alley. When the original Waldorf-Astoria was demolished in 1929 to make way for the Empire State Building, Peacock Alley was reincarnated at the new Waldorf-Astoria, recreating the same ‘see and be seen’ ambience of the original promenade.
Signature sip: The Peacock, a blend of house-infused cranberry vodka, apricot brandy and house-made lemon sour.
Who to know: Frank Caiafa, manager of the Peacock Alley Bar and author of the new Waldorf Astoria Bar Book
Waldorf-Astoria, 301 Park Avenue, New York
The Empire Rooftop and Lounge
Located on the 12th floor of The Empire Hotel this rooftop lounge spans 8,000 square feet and features three separate terraces boasting views of the Lincoln Center, Central Park and Broadway. The Upper West Side hotel was the first fictional purchase of Chuck Bass in the TV show Gossip Girl. Diligently, the bar produced a range of Gossip Girl-themed cocktails to arriving fans of the show, including the “Lonely Boy” and “Jenny’s Tartlet”.
Signature sip: I am Chuck Bass, a blend of Dewar’s whisky, red apple, ginger and apple cider.
44 West 63rd Street | New York NY 10023
Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle
A New York classic, Bemelmans is an old school piano bar located with The Carlyle, tended by white-coated waiters. It was named after Ludwig Bemelmans, a children’s author and illustrator known for his Madeline books. The bar is adorned with murals painted by the man himself, with picnicking rabbits and ice skating elephants just some of the curiosities to admire – the open examples of his work open to the public. Rather than be paid for his art, Bemelmans exchanged his work at the bar for a year and a half of accommodations at The Carlyle for himself and his family.
Signature sip: The Old Cuban “Champagne Mojito” with Bacardi 8 Rum, muddled mint, fresh lime juice and Angostura Bitters 23
Who to know: Lori Bodinizzo, the first and only female bartender in the history of Bemelmans.
35 East 76th Street, New York