Visitors to New York City will enjoy visiting these classic New York City bars. From the sophisticated Four Seasons to casual Old Town Bar and Grill, there is a classic New York City bar worth visiting for everyone.
Named after Ludwig Bemelmans, who created the Madeline books and painted the bar's famous murals, Bemelmans Bar is one of New York City's classic piano bars. The gold leaf-covered ceiling and black granite bar combine to create an elegant environment for sampling classic cocktails. Live entertaiment Tues - Sat from 5:30 - 8:30 p.m. & 9:30 - 12:30 p.m.
- Address: Carlyle Hotel, 35 E. 76th St. (at Madison)
- Telephone: 212-744-1600
- Hours: noon - 2 a.m. (12:30 p.m. on Sundays)
- Dress Code: business casual
Best known for its beautiful mahogany bar, the Waldorf=Astoria's Bull & Bear is also credited with creating the Robb Roy and the Bronx Cocktail. The Bull & Bear keeps investment bankers and financial types comfortable with a stock-market ticker and tables the color of money.
- Address: 301 Park Avenue
- Phone: 212-872-4900
- Dress Code: business casual
Formerly the private office of John W. Campbell, chairman of the Credit Clearing House, the Campbell Apartment now transports patrons to the 1920s and 30s with classic cocktails and sophisticated ambiance. The signature cocktail, Prohibition Punch, is worth a try despite its $15 pricetag.
- Address: 15 Vanderbilt Avenue (inside Grand Central Terminal)
- Phone: 212-212-953-0409
- Dress Code: business casual, no sneakers
4. Chumley's
Once popular with famous writers, including James Joyce, Jack Kerouac, and J.D. Salinger, their pictures now cover the walls of this former speak-easy in the West Village. Look carefully for this unmarked bar, which serves affordable drinks, tasty bar food and even has a working fireplace. Popular with the NYU crowd, you can avoid the co-eds by going in the afternoon or early evening.
- Address: 86 Bedford Street
- Phone: 212-989-9038
- Dress Code: casual
As the sun sets, you can truly appreciate the bronze Richard Lippold sculpture above the square wooden bar. First opened in 1959, The Four Seasons is the only Manhattan restaurant designated as an architectural landmark.
- Address: 99 East 52nd Street
- Phone: 212-989-9038
- Dress Code: business casual
Located in the St. Regis Hotel, the King Cole Bar is popular with guests and non-guests alike. The Red Snapper (better known as a Bloody Mary) was invented here, amidst the Maxfield Parrish mural depicting Old King Cole.
- Address: 2 East 55th Street at the St. Regis Hotel
- Phone: 212-753-4500
- Dress Code: business casual, no sneakers after 5 p.m.
Impressionist murals by Everett Shinn depict New York City scenes on the walls, but the classic cocktails and oak panels stand out at this classic New York drinking establishment. Featured in the opening scenes of North by Northwest, the Oak Bar has been an important meeting place since it opened in 1907.
- Address: 768 Fifth Avenue at the Plaza Hotel
- Phone: 212-546-5320
- Dress Code: business casual, no shorts, sneakers or sandals after 5 p.m.
First opened in 1892, Old Town Bar & Grill retains its classic charm with pressed tin ceilings and the oldest operating dumbwaiter in New York City. Featured in many TV shows and movies, including the opening credits of David Letterman during his NBC days, Old Town Bar is a casual place to enjoy beers and burgers. Men should be sure to check out the first floor bathroom, for with its impressive fixtures.
- Address: 45 East 18th Street
- Phone: 212-529-6732
- Dress Code: casual
The longest continually operating bar in New York City, Pete's Tavern opened in 1864 and remained open throughout Prohibition, disguised as a flower shop. In 1904, O. Henry wrote much of Gift of the Magi in one of his favorite booths by the front doors. This classic bar serves a full menu at reasonable prices, including nightly specials.
- Address: 129 East 18th Street
- Phone: 212-473-7676
- Dress Code: casual
10. White Horse Tavern
One of the few wood framed buildings remaining in New York City, the White Horse Tavern opened in 1880. Famous patrons include Dylan Thomas, who is rumored to have drank himself to death in 1953, Jack Kerouac, and Bob Dylan.
- Address: 567 Hudson Street
- Phone: 212-243-9260
- Dress Code: casual
- WHAT IS NIGHTLIFE WITHOUT DANCING!
THIS IS THE ONE...SO GREAT!
NEW YORK DANCING CLUBS
New York nightlife guide features expert reviews and recommendations for top hot spots, dance clubs, jazz and live music venues as well as information on all types of sports bars, dive bars and local hangouts in Manhattan and beyond. Also check out our guides for comedy fans, barhoppers, music lovers, the under 21 crowd, plus our all-new Best of New York Nightlife guide packed with great features!
Travertine
- Even though this safari style club is called Sounds of Brazil, you can expect to dance to all different types of music here. There’s reggae, hip-hop, R&B, jazz and Monday’s is salsa. There is even a now famous night of South Asian dance hits, called "Basement Bhangra."
Rose Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel
(212) 920-3300
2 Lexington Ave
New York, NY 10010The Rose Bar and Jade Bar are two of the most original and exciting public spaces in New York City. These incredible candlelit spaces are unique atmospheres imbued with the same spontaneous, haute bohemian, eclectic, eccentric and edgy sophistication one would find in an artist’s studio or home. The soaring spaces offer an incredible collection of extraordinary and ordinary items put together with the flourishes of the artiste, including custom-designed furniture by Julian Schnabel and masterworks of the 20th century by artists including Andy Warhol, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Keith Haring, Richard Prince, Damien Hirst, and Julian Schnabel himself.
The Rose Bar and Jade Bar at the Gramercy Park Hotel in Manhattan also offer exotic and delicious cocktails that hearken back to the golden age of the cocktail hour, ranging from classic aperitifs to fanciful drinks to modern classics.
The experience is further enhanced by the sophisticated, diverse and always evolving music which incorporates custom designed playlists by world-renowned DJ’s from New York, Los Angeles, Miami, Montreal, London, Paris and Rome.
SOBS
In a nutshell, S.O.B’s embraces NYC's diversity, and is a quality place to get your groove on.
