New York City loves its drinks. And being the open-minded bunch that New Yorkers are, NYC has embraced cocktail joints, wine bars, and dives equally. The charm of hotel bars lies in the fact that weary travellers have a spot to knock back a few at the end of a tiring day. NYC’s hotel bars are destinations in their own right, catering to locals and tourists wanting to experience the city’s fine cocktail culture - whether it is happy hour, a romantic setting, or a business meeting. From the brand-new Public in the Lower East Side to the rarefied air of an Upper East Side piano bar, these are the best hotel bars in New York City for the finest of hotel drinking experiences.
1. Gallow Green
Lush, unkempt greenery, twinkling lights, and a rustic decor (read: a broken-down Scottish car) make the Gallow Green atop the McKittrick Hotel appear stylishly, artfully abandoned. Housing one of the most romantic ambiences in NYC, this bar features crowd-pleasing, well-made, modern drinks - think large-format punches and creative cocktails. Spy lovely views across the Hudson while enjoying buffet-style brunches with live music on weekends. Don’t miss the excellent daily dinner menu of small seasonal plates.
Gallow Green
Address: 542 W 27th St, New York
Website: Gallow Green
Opening hours: Sunday - Wednesday 5 pm - 12 am, Thursday - Saturday 5 pm - 1 am
Average price for two people: 31 - 60 USD
2. Monkey Bar
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Owned by publishing titan Graydon Carter of Vanity Fair, Monkey Bar is less a bar than a restaurant. Expect to run into the who’s who of NYC here - the upper echelon of the New Yorker, the head of Dreamworks, maybe even a Yankee! This central rendezvous point for the well-connected of Manhattan’s media and fashion circles features cartoonish murals and brass monkeys in its decor, with well-made cocktails under the able guidance of Julie Reiner. What’s more, Monkey Bar’s food menu of American classics has given the place a well-deserved second chance.
Monkey Bar
Address: 60 E 54th St, New York
Website: Monkey Bar
Opening hours: Tuesday - Friday 11:30 am - 1 am
Average price for two people: 31-60 USD
3. The Rum House
Widely recognized as NYC’s best cocktail bar, this revamped, renowned piano bar is cosy and welcoming to the hilt. This newest midtown watering hole features an extensive range of rum, including the obscure buttery Zafra Master’s Reserve and the classic French 75 or bourbon Old Fashioned. This timeless bar also features all kinds of fun cocktails, including a coconut concoction of the Piña Colada called ‘The Escape’ and a 'Daiquiri Your Way’, a classic, potent drink. The wood-panelled, red-walled drinking den also features fantastic live music in the form of a nightly piano. P.S.: The Rum House is run by the guys behind the Tribeca mixology haven Ward III.
The Rum House
Address: 228 W 47th St, New York
Website: The Rum House
Opening hours: Monday - Sunday 12 pm - 4 am
Average price for two people: 10 - 30 USD
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4. The Lobby Bar
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The wood-panelled, book-shelved, squishy button-couched interiors and the fun of people-watching alone make visiting the Lobby Bar worth it. This versatile, roomy space has brought the concept of hipster cool to the quiet, resolute Flatiron business district. Today, it is one of the trendiest spots in NYC for an after-work cocktail, which includes the likes of Bitter Lemonade (fresh lemon, Aperol, prosecco) Don’t miss pairing your fun drink with pork scratchings and house-cured Berkshire pork belly. Chug affordable beer in buckets and even guzzle on delicious Stumptown coffee.
The Lobby Bar
Address: 16 W 29th St, New York
Website: The Lobby Bar
Opening hours: 5:30 pm - 2 pm, 5:30 pm - 2 am
Average price for two people: 25-60 USD
New York City Tour Guide
Hiram Jacobs
I am a licensed New York City Department of Consumer Affairs Tour Guide and a native New Yorker. Over the years, I acquired considerable experience organizing solo tours of the major European and East European capitals of the world, Canada's largest cities and Australia's most popular cities, Washington, DC, Atlanta, New Orleans, and San Francisco. During my international travels, I participated in tours organized by private tour companies to China, Russia, South America, India, the Canadian Rockies, Israel, Japan's major cities; USA: Alaska, Arizona and Utah's scenic national National Parks . I received my Master of Arts in Political Science (Urban Administration) from the State University of New York, College at Brockport, Brockport, New York in 1978. Since my recent retirement from the MTA, New York City Transit Authority, after 39 years of service as an Associate Transit Management Analyst, I hope to share with my fellow Travelers my observations, insights and personal experiences relating to Manhattan’s iconic neighborhoods, landmarks and popular attractions that make New York City such a vibrant and dynamic city to visit. I will strive to make your New York City Experience memorable. Tour Cancellations - Please provide at least 24 hours notice prior to the tour date in order to cancel your booking and to receive a full refund.
Tours by Hiram
New York City Tour Guide
Stephanie Eley
I'm a graduate of ITMI, International Tour Management Institute and 17 years as a licensed Tour Director and Program Director. My expertise began in NYC and Washington, DC where I'm a licensed guide and has expanded to Europe, South America, Cuba and the Western / Southwestern National Parks of the US. I'd love to introduce you for a day or a week to Denver, Colorado and the 4 corners region of the US: Colorado, Utah, New Mexico and Arizona! Let's GO!! stepheley@gmail.com
Tours by Stephanie
5. King Cole Bar
Uptown poise and downtown trim make for a heady confluence at Manhattan’s most storied meeting place, the King Cole Bar & Salon. The ultra-high-end King Cole with its giant, royal murals is tailored for the NYC’s social elite and the new gen of luxury travellers. King Cole is where the legendary Bloody Mary was born (as the ‘Red Snapper’) and became popular, all thanks to Fernand Petiot in 1934, and continues to be the signature drink. Try the Mary Terranean, a bloody mary concoction made with Grey Goose vodka, oregano, fresh basil, and olive oil which, at 25 USD, offers a singular taste of NYC opulence.
King Cole Bar
Address: 2 E 55th St, New York
Website: King Cole Bar
Opening hours: Monday - Saturday 11:30 am - 12 am, Sunday 12 pm - 12 am
Average price for two people: 50-70 USD
6. The Ides Bar - Wythe Hotel
With an unobstructed, jaw-dropping, sweeping views of the Manhattan skyline, its no wonder why the Ides draws hoards of patrons, both travellers and locals alike. This sleek rooftop establishment features stylish red banquettes and ample bar seating, along with an eclectic and elegant mix of cocktails - don’t miss the range of Old World wines including Gamay and Prosecco, the ‘Sixth Floor Sling’, a heady mixture of lime sherbet, apricot, and allspice, the Violette-lemon-gin Aviation, and the maraschino-vermouth-rye Brooklyn. Get there early to venture to the terrace and take in the sunset.
Ides Bar
Address: 80 Wythe Ave, Brooklyn, New York
Website: The Ides Bar
Opening hours: Monday - Thursday 4 pm - 12:30 am, Friday 2 pm - 1:30 am, Saturday 12 pm - 1:30 am, Sunday 12 pm - 12:30 am
Average price for two people: 30-45 USD
7. The Crown
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
For stunning views of New Jersey, Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan, head to the 21st floor of the Hotel 50 Bowery to the Crown, an intimate lounge with two rooftop patios with glorious views of the Big Apple and a massive bottle-service menu. This low-key-vibe bar with a minimalistic decor features contemporary Asian-inspired, Sichuan tincture cocktails such as Thai-basil watermelon margarita. While the bites are limited, head to the hip Rice & Gold, the first-floor restaurant, which serves global cuisine.
The Crown
Address: 50 Bowery Street, New York
Website: The Crown
Opening hours: Sunday - Wednesday 2 pm - 12 am, Thursday - Saturday 2 pm - 2 am
Average price for two people: 35-50 USD
8. Mr. Purple
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
The effortlessly chic, casual-vibe Mr. Purple bar features sexy 15th-floor Manhattan views, two roof deck terraces looking both eastward and westward, and even a pool. Enjoy the large selection of wine, craft beers, and speciality cocktails such as the Mr. Purple, a punch of cranberry liqueur, Casamigos tequila, allspice dram, lemon, and apple, along with street-food-style bar food like fish tacos, fried chicken sliders, grilled cheese, and fries. The sprawling, posh bar has a minimalistic decor with clear pendant lights and thoughtfully arranged bottles allow for unobstructed, gorgeous views of the NYC skyline.
Mr. Purple
Address: 180 Orchard St 15th floor, New York
Website: Mr. Purple
Opening hours: Monday - Tuesday 4 pm - 2 am, Wednesday 4 pm - 3 am, Thursday - Friday 4 pm - 4 am, Saturday 11 am - 4 am, Sunday 11 am - 2 am
Average price for two people: 60 USD onwards
9. The Bar
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Dress to the hilt, for you’re going someplace absolutely fabulous. Taking a visual cue from an eclectic mix of the Hall of Mirrors, French hotel ballrooms, and the NYC of the 30s is the barrel-vaulted hotel bar at the Baccarat Hotel. With glowing scarlet walls, throne-like bar stools, and giant custom-made crystal chandeliers overhead, this bar is a visual stunner. What’s more, all beverages, whether it’s the cocktails, champagne, or the wine, are served in Baccarat crystal vessels. Cocktails cost anywhere from 26 USD to even as high as 450 USD - this should give you an idea of the opulence.
The Bar
Address: 28 W 53rd St, New York
Website: The Bar
Opening hours: 4 pm - 11:30 pm
Average price for two people: 100 USD
10. Bemelmans Bar
Bemelmans is a relic of the Gotham’s nightlife of the past, which was a luxurious, lavish, and an expense-account-fuelled time. One of the greatest Upper East Side bars with cocktails, a legendary piano talent, and old school tunes, Bemelmans features enchanting original murals by Ludwig Bemelmans and gold leaf ceilings, with top-of-the-line service and cocktails - think an Old Fashioned, a Whiskey Sour, or the absolutely perfect dirty Gin Martini. P.S.: Cover charges apply when trios start performing around 9 pm.
Bemelmans Bar
Address: 35 E 76th St, New York
Website: Bemelmans Bar
Opening hours: Tuesday - Thursday 12 pm - 1 am, Friday - Saturday 12 pm - 1:30 am, Sunday - Monday 12 pm - 12:30 am
Beaming Big Apple
Not for nothing does New York City have cocktails named after each of its five boroughs - clearly, New Yorkers love a good drink! For a great drinking spree in the Big Apple, head to these watering holes, vintage and modern, and you’ll know what an out-of-the-world drinking experience is all about!
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