NYC Nightlife Trends: Martinis & Piano Bars
A recent article in the NY Times titled “Why Gen Z Is Flocking to New York’s Old-School Hotels and Bar” caught our attention. They go on to say, “Bemelmans Bar now has bouncers. And at the Rainbow Room, a post-punk after party.” A good martini bar is always on trend for us!
“Nothing says old school New York glamour quite like a dressed-up night spent sipping martinis. And if the flash photos flooding our Instagram feed recently are any indication, it appears the cool kids of the city are revisiting the classic sip in full force. Whether you like yours shaken or stirred, extra dirty or with a twist, these are the poshest spots to hit for a quintessential martini moment (complete with excellent people-watching).” — Guest of a Guest
Piano bars are also having a serious moment, so we wanted to round up our favorite martini and piano bars in NYC!
Plus, the espresso martini is back! YUM! Read more and find a great recipe towards the end of this blog post.
PIANO & MARTINI BARS:
BEMELMENS BAR
Bemelmans Bar, 35 E. 76th St.
A true New York classic, this high society haunt at The Carlyle is no doubt the most glamorous spot to sip martinis uptown with a side of live jazz and piano music.
SOME HISTORY: Madeline is the heroine of the children’s books by Ludwig Bemelmans, the German-born artist who also painted the walls of his now namesake bar. Robert Huyot, the French-born general manager of the Carlyle in the 1940s, was friends with Bemelmans. He asked him to paint the new bar in exchange for rooms at the hotel. Bemelmans and his family lived at the hotel for 18 months. The bar was named for the artist and has been iconic since it opened in 1947. Although Bemelmans consulted with Huyot, he was given free rein to paint what he liked.
MARTINI BARS:
TEMPLE BAR
Reopened in Oct 2021. Loved by celebrities! Add some caviar to any martini on the menu. Yum!
Temple Bar served up martinis, mood lighting and a downtown version of uptown glamour until it closed on New Year’s Eve in 2017. Temple Bar’s name and its Art Deco-ish green décor remain the same, but the space has been fully redone. Also remaining in place is the skeletal chameleon bar logo and still the only clue that 332 Lafayette Street contains an elegant bar.
KING COLE BAR
King Cole Bar, Two E 55th St.
The St. Regis hotel’s legendary bar (that claims to have invented the Bloody Mary), but picture wood-paneled walls, cozy candlelit tables and soft jazz playing in the background.
Cucina 8/12
Head into the basement of the iconic Solow Building in Midtown Manhattan. A winding, red-carpeted staircase leads to a gold-plated cocktail bar, a large dining room with gigantic booths and a circular piano lounge that connects the two. Feels like sipping cocktails in a 1960s airport lounge. If it’s good enough for Carrie Bradshaw, it’s good enough for me.
The Polo Bar, 1 E 55th St.
Order up the famous Vesper (or any other martini iteration) at Ralph Lauren’s sceney hot spot. Extra olives are a given.
Gage & Tollner, 372 Fulton St, Brooklyn
Don’t forget to head upstairs to check out the bar – even if they’re full, ask for a quick tour. Trust, it’s worth it!
BAR PENDRY
Bar Pendry, 438 W 33rd St.
Whether you’re looking for a luxe staycation or an elegant nightcap, slip into the richly designed lobby bar at the recently opened Pendry Manhattan West for the perfect martini and serving of caviar beneath the arresting wall installation by New York based abstract painter, Nancy Lorenz.