New York is a spirited city on even its drabbest days – but with Christmas drawing near its allure is more pronounced than ever. With a chill in the air and gathering on the mind, we’re feeling the pull of that old New York charm. The city has no shortage of storied spaces perfectly primed to offer a warm welcome from the blustery streets beyond. We’ve collected our top ten classic New York bars to set the perfect tone for a very merry month. Read on to settle on a few favourites…
Bemelmans is a natural choice for those seeking a classic New York feel. The Art Deco space is wonderfully characterful, with a strong sense of history. Its defining feature is the artwork by Ludwig Bemelmans stretching across every wall. Visitors will recognise the style from the Madeline books, which Bemelmans both wrote and illustrated. Its position within the Upper East Side’s Carlyle Hotel makes for a sophisticated feel, elevated by both live piano and excellent cocktails. They’re known to make a mean martini, which we’d highly recommend investigating for yourself.
The Bar Room at The Beekman is another hotel cocktail lounge with a strong sense of the past. It’s got old-world charm in spades, with Victorian era design elements and plush furnishings. Come for deep-seated comfort in ornate surroundings, situated at the base of a soaring nine-story atrium. You’ll find a menu of absolute American opulence, with offerings like oysters on the half shell and wagyu burgers – which are, of course, made all the more appetising when paired with your libation of choice.
The King Cole Bar at the St Regis is a truly iconic New York bar. A stunning mural by American artist, Maxfield Parrish forms the centrepiece of the space, framed by dark wood and marble accents. The bar first opened in 1932, swiftly establishing a name for itself by introducing the Bloody Mary. They originally called it the Red Snapper, under which name it continues to be served across various St Regis locations the world over. It’s a nod not only to a moment in history, but also to the place which birthed this ingenious concoction.
Swan Room is housed within the beautiful Nine Orchard Hotel, just beyond the bustle of Dimes Square. It’s a truly grand cocktail bar situated in a former bank which dates to 1912. Soaring ceilings, ornate mouldings, and neo-Renaissance details set the tone for their fare, which includes such delights as a tableside martini service. They’ve struck just the right chord here, which continues to resonate with New York’s old guard and young visitors, alike.
The Campbell is a beautiful bar with a storied past. It sits within the Grand Central Terminal building, where it once served as the office of John W. Campbell. He sat on the board of directors for the New York Central Railroad, at first conducting relevant meetings here before adapting the space into a reception hall for social occasions. As such, The Campbell carries many secrets, with a steel safe hidden in an enormous faux fireplace, for example. It’s all very cloak and dagger – yet oh so welcoming.
The Dead Rabbit has all the charm of an old-school Irish pub, sitting in a building which dates to 1823. The walls have stories here, and they bear the marks and souvenirs of countless visitors past. Where The Dead Rabbit differs from a traditional watering hole is in the cocktail list, which has been named best in the world on several occasions. Impeccable drinks are balanced with a casual, warm atmosphere which makes it all the better a place to while away a winter’s night.
The Nines is a classic piano lounge with a true air of romance. The space is absolutely drenched in deep red hues and glinting brassy accents, all set in low-lit splendour. It’s housed within the Mercer hotel, though it feels a world apart from all that lays beyond its walls. It’s been heralded as the best date night spot in New York. This, of course, puts it in exceptionally high demand – but if you’re looking to impress, we’d say a table at The Nines is well worth the legwork.
Hotel Chelsea requires no introduction – but it’s certainly fun to give one anyway. This is the place where countless artists spent days, months, even years working out the kinks of their respective crafts, forming infamous bonds along the way. It’s been decidedly elevated since the days of Bob Dylan and Patti Smith, though it still holds its character. With the introduction of the Lobby Bar, Hotel Chelsea’s shabby elegance has been buttoned up a touch, but the particularities remain. Once a place of transience, this is now a place to linger – and we’d highly recommend you do.
The Portrait Bar at The Fifth Avenue Hotel is a new addition to New York’s bar scene, though it carries an old world feel which places it in perfect harmony with the classics. Martin Brudnizki designed the space in his signature maximalist style, combining rich patterns and textures across plush forms. A captivating art collection and a roaring fire are the cherries on top, adding up to a pitch perfect bar experience.
Where there’s a bar with a funny name, there’s a story. This happens to be a particularly long and winding one which began in 1817. It’s then that the premises began serving drinks – and they’ve been continuously doing so ever since. They weathered the Prohibition years, operating as a speakeasy. When they publicly reopened, they needed no name thanks to an exceptionally loyal following. It wasn’t until the most recent incarnation that the place took on its title. When the current owners bought it in the 1970s, they simply covered parts of the sign’s neon ‘B’ so as to avoid a lengthy review with the landmark commission, given the building’s listed status. And so, the Ear Inn was born. Today it retains all its historical charm, standing strong as one of New York City’s oldest bars – not to mention one of its most beloved.
Text by Annabel Colterjohn
