People flock to NYC from all over the world, so it makes sense our hotels would have some serious ambiance. Some hotels show off their grandeur with massive vaulted ceilings built with opulence from The Gilded Age. Other hotels offer a cozy, dark ambiance where you want to snuggle up with a good book by the fire. Whichever your preference, there’s definitely an abundance of options for sipping a cocktail from a luxury hotel lounge.
We’ve rounded up our favorite hotel experiences for grabbing a drink.
The lobby bar at The Beekman hotel is truly iconic. It’s hard to capture the sheer beauty from within the lobby, but it is a sight to behold. First built in the 1890’s, the building exudes Gilded Age glamour with a soaring nine-story atrium. This is the perfect place whether it be for a coffee to start your morning, or for a night-cap to wind down the day.
The Ludlow Lobby bar is perfect for any season. In the warmer months, enjoy the beautifully landscaped garden with lush plants and hanging lanterns. When the weather begins to cool, snuggle up inside the sleek lobby next to a roaring fireplace. This Lower East Side bar is known for their inventive cocktails.
The bar at the Baccarat Hotel simply oozes glitz & glamour. From the moment you enter, you will be met with dazzling chandeliers, 60-foot floor to ceiling windows, and a sophisticated clientele that only NYC can pull off. The bar design is set to emulate that of glamorous ballrooms of French hotels and the royal stables at Versailles. The perfect spot to indulge for happy hour.
Known for their iconic rainbow bar, The Williamsburg hotel bar is the ideal meeting place for a drink with friends, colleagues, or on date night. The bar menu is curated by an in-house team of refined mixologists to bring you both classic and innovative drinks. Take your pick from a seat at the bar to one of the cozy circular tables around the room.
The Bowery Bar prides itself on being “dimly lit and oozing with atmosphere in a world full of crimson velvet”. This spot is truly unique and makes you feel like you’ve stepped back into a different era with rugs covering every inch of the floor and alluring velvet and leather seats. In the warmer months, you can step out back to the beautiful garden room which feels miles away from the city.
The Crosby Bar stretches from Crosby Street at the front, to Lafayette Street at the back. It is a spacious room with high ceilings, long pewter bar, grey oak floors and tall warehouse-style windows which look out to the trees at the hotel’s entrance and the garden on Lafayette. It has an altogether leafy, breezy feel with lots of light throughout the day.
During the day at The Ace Hotel, the lobby is buzzing with startups, freelancers, and other workers looking for a laid back environment to get their work on. The lobby is open to the public with free wi-fi and plenty of seating options. As the day goes on, the space will transform into more of a happy hour scene with a rotating cast of craft beers, spirits, and bar fare.
Raines Law Room is the perfect escape from the busy streets of Midtown into a cozy bar with old world charm. The bar is located inside The William hotel, a converted townhouse that used to be the club for Williams University. Sip your cocktail from the cozy parlor rooms or warm up by the impressive marble fireplace.
The Library of Distilled Spirits, located in the The Hyatt Union Square, features over 1,500 bottles produced around the world. The bartenders are happy to help you choose the spirits or cocktail that best fit your likes. The bar design features a floor-to-ceiling liquor library where it houses some of its most elite bottles. This is a cozy spot to grab a sophisticated drink.
Cafe Carlyle is one of the more unique spots in the city. During the day, indulge in some high tea that will make you feel like you’ve left for Great Britain. At night, the space really comes alive to the golden age of New York cabaret with live performances by a rotating group of phenomenal musicians.
Located just off the lobby at The Four Seasons Hotel, The Garden restaurant & bar is an enchanting place to spend your evening. Sunlight filters in through tall windows, and African acacia trees reach toward the ceiling. The idea here is to escape from the busy city streets and step into a forest-like atmosphere where you can relax while enjoying a drink.
Located within the landmarked Villard Mansion, The Gold Room at Lotte New York Palace celebrates New York City’s storied history. This magnificent space transports guests back in time to experience the glamour and opulence of the Gilded Age. While many of the Gilded Age mansions that once lined Fifth Avenue have disappeared, the Villard mansion has survived since 1884. Dine in utter opulence when you stop by the Gold Room.
