Hotel bars are New York City’s hidden heartbeat after dark, catering to patrons drawn to dimly lit corners, rooftop views and the clink of martinis stirred to live jazz.
We rounded up some of our favorite NYC hotel bars, from moody subterranean haunts to breezy rooftop lounges, to thrill your inner night owl. Whether you’re looking for skyline-scraping views with a cocktail in hand or an evening of live music, these are the spots worth checking “in.”
Tusk Bar. Photo: Eric Medsker
For foodies: Tusk Bar at the Evelyn Hotel
7 E. 27th St., Nomad, Manhattan
Hotel bars were once the last resort for a weary traveler, with convenience as the main selling point. But the new incarnation of hotel bar is sought after in its own right. The sultry, 1920s Parisian-inspired Tusk Bar at the Evelyn Hotel was named one of the best bars in the United States by Esquire for its vibrant cocktails, like the Long Vacation, and menu steeped in the ocean. Grab a cozy nook or sit at the sprawling marble bar and order oysters and a martini for the best of all worlds.
See also: This past spring the St. Cloud Rooftop Bar at the Knickerbocker Hotel opened Akoya, an intimate sushi bar with temaki (hand rolls) and a list of international sake. At the Bar Room at the Beekman hotel, indulge in Tom Colicchio’s menu of small bites.
Faena New York. Photo: Nikolas Koenig
For design lovers: Faena New York
500A W. 18th St., Chelsea, Manhattan
One of the true joys of staying in a hotel is the sense of escape—being somewhere utterly unlike home, dreamed up by famed designers. The highly anticipated Faena New York brings its signature mix of bold art, culture and high drama to the One High Line building. Much like its celebrated counterparts in Miami and Buenos Aires, the hotel delivers immersive art installations, luxurious nightlife and impressive design, this time with High Line and Hudson River views. Highlights include a signature nightclub and a healing sanctuary featuring wellness rituals from around the world.
See also: At the Fifth Avenue Hotel, the former home of a Gilded Age society hostess, the wood-paneled, art-filled Portrait Bar opened in 2024 and has already landed on North America’s 50 best bars list. Fly to another age at the Sunken Lounge at the TWA Hotel at JFK, a mid-century modern marvel with retro cocktails.
Courtesy, Lotte New York Palace
For celebrity spotting: Gold Room at the Lotte New York Palace
455 Madison Ave., Midtown East, Manhattan
The City is teeming with celebrities, and a visit to the Lotte New York Palace hotel ups your star-spotting odds. A backdrop for Gossip Girl and Will & Grace, it’s hosted icons like Venus Williams, then Prince Charles and Whitney Houston. The historic Gold Room exudes opulence and glamour, serving caviar and cocktails with names like Filthy Rich. While most drinks are accessible, the Reserve—featuring Nolet’s premium gin—will set you back $250.
See also: The Pierre hotel on the Upper East Side is known for elegance and discretion—Elizabeth Taylor once kept a residence there—and its quiet Two E bar still has major celeb potential. Downtown, the Fifth Avenue Hotel has hosted Sarah Jessica Parker and Martha Stewart; order a cocktail at the hotel’s Portrait Bar and keep your eyes peeled.
Bemelmans Bar. Photo: Daniel Harel
For classic New York: Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle
35 E. 76th St., Upper East Side, Manhattan
Some hotel bars feel like movie sets, and the storied Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle hotel is one of them. The walls are adorned with murals by Madeline creator Ludwig Bemelmans, the bartenders wear red jackets aand the martinis are famously strong. Come for the old New York charm and stay for the nightly piano entertainment, plus free snacks served at the charming, lamp-adorned tables.
See also: Rum House in the art deco Hotel Edison serves up spirit-forward tipples with live piano and jazz. The now lavish Lobby Bar at the Hotel Chelsea—once home to the bohemian elite, including Janis Joplin, Leonard Cohen and Bob Dylan—fuses historic bones with glamorous style.
For a skyline-view party: Somewhere Nowhere at the Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel
112 W. 25th St., Chelsea, Manhattan
New York City parties at every level, but nothing is more magical than a rooftop where you can admire the skyline while the wind whips through your hair and music soundtracks your own NYC story. Somewhere Nowhere at the Renaissance New York Chelsea Hotel captures that alchemy with a two-level setup that blends rooftop bar, lush event space and luxe club. While there’s always something happening (DJ sets, swing dancing, comedy shows), the rare outdoor rooftop pool is exciting on its own.
See also: At Dear Irving on Hudson at Times Square’s Aliz Hotel, the scene gets going on Fridays and Saturdays with DJs spinning from 9pm to 1am. On the Lower East Side, Mr. Purple at Hotel Indigo draws a high-energy crowd that’s always ready to mingle and dance.
Overstory at 70 Pine. Photo: Andrew Ye
For a chill rooftop: Overstory at 70 Pine
70 Pine St., Financial District, Manhattan
If you’re headed to a rooftop bar, you’re typically chasing the views and the vibe; good cocktails are a bonus. For something sky high and fully loaded, look no further than Overstory, an intimate lounge with just 28 seats on the 64th floor of 70 Pine. Recently topping a list of the world’s best bars, it delivers on cool vibes, romantic 360-degree sight lines and elegant cocktails like the gin, sherry, yellow Chartreuse and mandarin Last Frontier, which just might be the best drink you’ve ever had.
See also: Leonessa at the Conrad New York Downtown hotel puts on an aperitif hour with an Italian soul, plus views of the Statue of Liberty. Broken Shaker at the Freehand hotel channels its Miami inspiration with laid-back energy and sunny cocktails. Westlight at the William Vale hotel accentuates the Manhattan skyline with small plates and drinks like the gin, guava, dragon fruit, lemon and agave Purple and Fancy. And in Queens, the Rockaway Hotel delivers something rare for New York City: rosé on a breezy, beachside rooftop with sand and sea just steps away.
Ace Hotel. Photo: Stephen Kent Johnson
For DJs: Lobby at the Ace Hotel Brooklyn
252 Schermerhorn St., Boerum Hill, Brooklyn
Ace Hotel locations embody effortless cool, and the music is no exception. The trendy lobby of the Brooklyn hotel regularly pulses with curated DJ sets, from local psychedelic producers to monthly appearances by Saint James Joy, a father-son duo from Brooklyn known for upbeat grooves.
See also: Harriet’s Lounge on the 10th floor of 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge offers spectacular views and DJs on Fridays through Sundays from 10pm to closing. The Gansevoort hotel rooftop hosts Skyline Sessions on Fridays from 6pm to 10pm and Saturdays from 8pm to 1am, and at the hotel Public, Artspace blurs the line between nightclub and performance venue.
Courtesy, Moxy Chelsea
For a serene lounge: Fleur Room at the Moxy Chelsea
105 W. 28th St., Chelsea, Manhattan
After a long day of sightseeing, a hotel lounge is a great place to unwind. In the Fleur Room on the 35th floor of the Moxy Chelsea hotel, the floor-to-ceiling windows complement the calming, botanical-themed space. It’s especially inviting during Mini Martini Hour, Tuesdays through Fridays from 5pm to 8pm.
See also: At the Walker Hotel Greenwich Village, the velvet-lined Parlour at Society Cafe just off the lobby is complete with a fireplace and cozy corners perfect for cocktail consumption, afternoon tea or live jazz, often featuring talented college students from the nearby New School. Over at the hotel Public, Bar Chrystie mixes old-school glam with Ian Schrager’s signature edge, all set to a sultry soundtrack.
Courtesy, The Jazz Club at Aman New York
For live music: Jazz Club at Aman New York
The Crowne Building, 9 West 56th St., Midtown West, Manhattan
Some of the best entertainers in the world live in the Big Apple, and it’s a real bonus when they’re performing right inside your hotel. At the upscale Jazz Club at the Aman New York hotel,the Roaring Twenties come to life in this subterranean lounge where live jazz and incredible acoustics give way to late-night dancing. The Jazz Club entrance is elusive for a reason: Reservations are required.
See also: Saint Tuesday at the Walker Hotel Tribeca feels like a true speakeasy, complete with doorbell; live music happens nightly, with no cover. At the Beekman hotel, cocktail bar Laissez Faire shifts into a nightclub as the evening goes on, with DJs installed in a gold-foil booth.
Bar Blondeau. Photo: Lucas Vaskilo
For happy hour: Bar Blondeau at the Wythe Hotel
80 Wythe Ave., Williamsburg, Brooklyn
Hotel bars are the perfect launchpad for a night out on the town, even more so when they host a popular happy hour. One of the best deals in town is at Bar Blondeau, the indoor-outdoor rooftop bar at Williamsburg’s Wythe Hotel, newly anointed with one Michelin key. Alongside a raw bar and French-inspired fare is Sunset Hour, weeknights from 5pm to 7pm, which includes specials on wine and cocktails. A favorite is the Seaplane, a cocktail that tastes like vacation in a glass (mezcal, crème de cacao, cherry and lime) when paired with views of the Manhattan skyline.
See also: The Bar Downstairs at the Andaz 5th Avenue hotel runs happy hour Tuesdays through Saturdays from 4pm to 6pm. At Magic Hour, the rooftop bar at the Moxy Times Square hotel, the weekday happy hour from 5pm to 6:30pm is served in the shadow of the Empire State Building.
Courtesy, Knickerbocker Hotel
For martinis: Martini Lounge at the Knickerbocker Hotel
6 Times Square, Times Square/Theatre District, Manhattan
Just two years after Times Square got its name, the Knickerbocker Hotel opened its doors in 1906 and quickly became a haven for artists, writers and socialites, including F. Scott Fitzgerald. Legend has it that the hotel’s grand ballroom was the birthplace of the dry martini, first stirred by bartender Martini di Arrma. That legacy lives on in the hotel’s Martini Lounge, where the tableside martini cart rolls up to finish your drink with a twist and plenty of theatrical flair.
See also: The stylish and verdant Chez Zou on the fourth floor of the hotel Pendry Manhattan West swaps traditional olive brine for grape leaf brine and olive oil vodka in the Dirty Zou.
Courtesy, Andaz 5th Avenue
For a hideaway: Bar Downstairs at the Andaz 5th Avenue
485 Fifth Ave., Midtown, Manhattan
New York City is at its best when it feels like a secret. Swanky and subterranean, the Bar Downstairs at the Andaz 5th Avenue hotel carries an air of mystery, especially since it is hidden in plain sight across from the iconic lions at the New York Public Library. But descend the stairs and slip through the heavy door and you’ll find a buzzing bar and restaurant serving top-notch cocktails, like the tequila, Aperol, prickly pear and coconut Little Red Corvette. Sink into a plush couch or grab a spot at the expansive bar and watch the bartenders at work.
See also: At the Iroquois Hotel, you’ll find Lantern’s Keep, a dramatic, velvet-lined hideaway with dark wood, artwork inspired by bar culture from eras passed and cocktails like the Emerald Forest, a heady blend of gin and green Chartreuse. If you’re feeling inspired, stop by on the second Saturday of the month for a hands-on cocktail-making class and learn to craft the classics yourself.
