An Insider's Guide to Hotel Bars in New York City
The Roof at the Viceroy
124 W. 57th St., 212-707-8008
Guest Profile: Expense Account Businessman
Ambience: This elegant Roman and Williams–designed aerie offers a choice of a yachting-themed lounge indoors (polished wood floors, brass fittings, and leather sofas) or an outdoor terrace featuring deep-seated sofas and staggering views of Central Park.
Top Tipple: The nautical vibe gets a kick from the Brugal Mule (Brugal añejo rum, ginger beer, and fresh lime).
PH-D at the Dream Downtown
355 W. 16th St., 212-229-2511
Guest Profile: Scenester
Ambience: Featuring Venini glass chandeliers and a light-box sculpture that flashes to a pulsing beat, this lengthy outdoor penthouse terrace bar operates as a sleek lounge from 5 to 10 p.m., then morphs into a raging bottle-service-only scene till 4 a.m. Expect multiple jeroboams of Champagne trotted out Dubai-style, complete with sparklers. The unobstructed north-facing vista is astounding.
Top Tipple: It’s a tie between the Hot to Trot (Casamigos Blanco, cucumber, agave, and jalapeño) and the Wet Dream (Grey Goose Cherry Noir, St. Germain, and white cranberry and pineapple juices).
Bar Pleiades at the Surrey
20 E. 76th St., 212-772-2600
Guest Profile: Social Climber
Ambience: The upwardly ambitious stylista is on the prowl at this super-chic Art Deco–style cocktail lounge, snuggling into a tufted leather banquette and adjusting her jewels just in case some moneyed man candy walks in. A perk on Friday and Sunday nights: live jazz.
Top Tipple: When only Champagne will do, it’s the Last Caress, made with Champagne, Chartreuse-flavored crushed ice, and hand-harvested juniper berries.
The Press Lounge at Ink48 Hotel
653 11th Ave., 212-757-2224
Guest Profile: Illicit Lovers
Ambience: Since this shimmery glass box is practically in New Jersey, chances are good you can tryst here in peace. Rooftop-addicted revelers count the Press Lounge’s terrace bar as Manhattan’s best year-round hideaway. On cool nights, patrons gravitate to the outdoor fire pit.
Top Tipple: The bracing, yet soothing Kurrent (gin, rosemary clove syrup, pear puree, lemon juice, and club soda), infused and garnished with herbs and flowers that come straight from the roof garden.
The Bar at the Baccarat Hotel
28 W. 53rd St., 212-790-8800
Guest Profile: Weekend Playboy
Ambience: The same players on the St. Barth/St. Tropez circuit haunt this high-life French salon, where blond Scandinavians and Ukrainian models perch along the plush 60-foot bar, Baccarat chandeliers glittering overhead.
Top Tipple: The French 75 (Rémy Martin VSOP, Grand Marnier 100, and lemon juice, topped with Ruinart Blanc de Blancs). It’s served in a Baccarat Mille Nuits crystal flute, of course.
A version of this article appeared in the May/June 2016 issue of NYC&G (New York Cottages & Gardens) with the headline: Hotel Hot Spots.
