NYC’s best hotel bars

It wasn’t too long ago that hotel bars were, at best, nostalgic remnants from the early 20th-century heyday. Thankfully, that changed with the craft cocktail revolution of the early 2000s, which eventually spilled over into hotel bars. Now, New York City hotels are awash with excellent hideaways to have a pre-theatre tipple or before-bed nightcap. Some of the city’s historic faces have recently refreshed their bars, whilst others are entirely new spots to explore – and you’ll find both in our list of the best hotel bars in New York City. 

The Portrait Bar at The Fifth Avenue Hotel 

Tucked away inside NoMad’s newish Fifth Avenue Hotel, the elegant Portrait Bar oozes style. The library-like setting is inspired by Italian villas and features more than 50 diverse portraits hanging on the dark-panelled walls, lending the bar its name. Cocktails take cues from global travels, like the Torino (Italy), made with Campari, Cardamaro, Antica Torino, saba, and fig leaf soda, and the Kochi (Japan), crafted with Suntory Toki, Cynar, yuzu, star anise, and sarsaparilla. 

Insider tip: snack on small plates from celebrated chef Andrew Carmellini, such as the foie gras tartine. 

Opening hours: Monday–Thursday 5pm–1am, Friday–Saturday 5pm–2am, Sunday 5pm–1am | theportraitbar.com

Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel 

Whilst hotel bars are often dull and unoriginal, Bemelmans is a piece of history that has aged well. As you sip, take in the whimsical Central Park illustrations, which were painted on the walls in 1947 by Ludwig Bemelmans, creator of the classic Madeline children’s books. You’ll feel cosy in the intimate Art Deco room with chocolate-brown leather banquettes, a dramatic black granite bar, and a 24-carat gold leaf-covered ceiling. Many drinks – including several martinis – pay tribute to famous faces connected to the hotel, from frequent guest Jackie Kennedy Onassis to interior designer Dorothy Draper, who designed the original lobby.  

Insider tip: arrive by 5:30pm for the nightly pianist, or swing by later for the jazz trio – just don't forget to follow the dress code. 

Opening hours: Sunday–Wednesday 12pm–12am, Thursday 12pm–12:30am, Friday–Saturday 12pm–1am | bemelmansbar.com 

King Cole Bar at The St. Regis New York 

The St. Regis New York has recently unveiled a redesign of its public spaces – including its famous King Cole Bar. This intimate spot has been refreshed with moody, dark wood panelling and a deep green ceiling, softened by scalloped banquettes and mauve tasselled velvet chairs – but, of course, the famed Maxfield Parrish ‘Old King Cole’ mural remains the centrepiece. As you sip a classic cocktail, picture famous guests like Salvador Dalí, John Lennon, and Marilyn Monroe perched around you.  

Insider tip: order the Red Snapper – a twist on the Bloody Mary that’s the hotel’s signature drink (and one of the first of its kind to be served in the US). 

Opening hours: Monday–Sunday 4–11pm | kingcolebar.com 

The Lounge by Casa Tua at The Surrey, a Corinthia Hotel  

When the Upper East Side finally welcomed back the iconic Surrey hotel after a multi-year closure (and now under the Corinthia Hotels flag), it also gained an outpost of a Miami favourite: restaurant Casa Tua. And for the first time ever, on the opposite side of the lobby from the restaurant, is a bar open to the public. The cosy Lounge by Casa Tua showcases custom Italian furnishings, shelves filled with curated books, and an art collection personally selected by founders Miky and Leticia Grendene. 

Insider tip: The Lounge doubles as a coffee bar by day, but the lights are dimmed each night at 6pm for an intimate cocktail hour. 

Opening hours: Monday–Sunday 12pm–1am | thelounge.com 

The Bar at Baccarat Hotel New York 

The legendary crystal brand’s flagship hotel in Manhattan is home to an extravagant bar inspired by glamorous ballrooms, the royal stables at Versailles, and American long bars of decades past. Stretching 60 feet, the bar is surrounded by red velvet walls splashed with fine art, black-and-white checked marble floors, and dazzling chandeliers dripping with Baccarat crystals that hang from the barrel-vaulted ceiling. Naturally, all drinks are poured into sparkling Baccarat goblets and glasses – we recommend filling one with a glass of 2014 Cristal.  

Insider tip: the nibbles come from two-Michelin-starred chef Gabriel Kreuther – try the Baccarat Signature Three Tier (grilled cheese, lobster roll, and tuna tartare). 

Opening hours: Monday 4pm–12am, Tuesday–Saturday 4pm–1am, Sunday 4–11pm | thebarbaccarat.com 

Swan Room at Nine Orchard 

The Nine Orchard hotel is inside a former bank built in 1912, and cocktail bar Swan Room is inside the showstopping former bank teller room. It has a grand, double-height coffered ceiling with original mouldings, hexagonal tables along a plush banquette, pink Tennessee marble walls, and soaring windows with wrought iron details. Bartenders are dressed formally, serving an in-the-know clientele who have discovered downtown’s escape from the trend-seekers of nearby Dimes Square. The menu is by Ignacio Mattos, so even simple dishes like shrimp cocktails or burgers are excellent. 

 Insider tip: don't miss the martini service for 3–5 people – a server brings a giant golden swan bowl with crushed ice and garnishes, pouring your tipples tableside. 

Opening hours: Monday–Sunday 5pm–12:30am | swanroom.com 

Chez Zou at Pendry Manhattan West 

The rooftop Chez Zou is a stunning, plant-filled spot with both indoor and outdoor seating. Snag a table surrounded by curvy pink velvet couches or perch at the alcove bar backed by lush greenery. In winter, order a Papa Mele cocktail, made with warming mezcal, mango, cardamom, clove, lemon, and chilli. This is a bar where you can easily make a meal out of the food options, which come from the same chef as Middle Eastern restaurant Zou Zou’s downstairs. On our order list: Moroccan fried chicken bites, malawach pizza, and roasted garlic hummus with pitta chips. 

Insider tip: in warmer weather, grab a seat outside under a fringed umbrella and sip a refreshing Maverick Daiquiri. 

Opening hours: Sunday–Monday 5pm–12am, Tuesday–Saturday 5pm–1am | chezzou.com 

Bar Blondeau at the Wythe Hotel 

From the team behind beloved restaurants Le Crocodile and Chez Ma Tante, Bar Blondeau has a great wine list, classic cocktails with a twist, frozen drinks in summer, and excellent zero-proof beverages – as well as panoramic Manhattan views. The French-inflected food includes a variety of toasts, a duck hot dog on a pretzel bun, and trout almondine. Craft cocktails include the New Square, made with Brooklyn Bourbon, sweet vermouth, Maillard, and bitters; and the Zephyr, featuring Upstate vodka and gin, Bergamato, vermouth, and sage. 

Insider tip: there’s a two-course prix fixe menu available nightly from 5–8pm for $45. 

Opening hours: Monday–Friday 5pm–12am, Saturday 2pm–12am, Sunday 1pm–12am | barblondeau.com