Metro Cigar News Fall 1999

Hotel Bars
New York City's Hidden Treasures
There is a well-kept secret among New York City's abundance of places to grab a quick beer, savor that perfect martini or sip vintage wines by the glass: some of the best bars in the city - not to mention the world - are hidden away inside New York's wide range of hotels. Some are club-like classics whose patrons have included generations of the city's rich and famous; others are trendy new-comers with a decidedly "of-the-moment" clientele. Still more are secluded hideaways, where guests can relax with a cool drink and quiet conversation. All provide a temporary retreat from the urgent pace of city life - not to mention a comfortable seat, a fine selection of wines and spirits and snacks ranging from salted peanuts to caviar.

THE CLASSICS
Hotel bars have long been a part of New York life. According to Michael and Ariane Batterberry, food historians and authors of On the Town in New York, elegant hotels built earlier in the century housed bars that were like private men's clubs, open from first thing in the morning until late at night. The best hotel bartenders were expected to master a list of more than a hundred drinks - everything from cocktails (originally served only as "eye openers") to "shrubs, slings, punches, cobblers, juleps, smashes, flips and nogs."

Today, though the clientele and their drinking habits have changed, some of the ambiance of these great New York hotel bars - from their aged wood paneling to the worn leather banquettes - remain as reminders of a bygone era.

The rich patina of the Oak Bar at the Plaza Hotel (Fifth Avenue at Central Park South, 212/546-5330) gives many guests the impression that is has been around forever - or at least since the hotel opened in the early 1900's. In truth, this New York watering hole was a branch of E.F. Hutton until Conrad Hilton claimed the space in 1945. The bar is perhaps most famous for its wall murals by painter Everett Shinn; Cary Grant sat beneath one in a scene from Hitchcock's North by Northwest. Today, the Oak Bar generally attracts a mature, business-like crowd, although recent sightings of Kevin Costner and Al Pacino have been reported. Specialties: views of Central Park and the world's largest raisins for nibbling with drinks.

The Bull & Bear at the Waldorf-Astoria (301 Park Ave. bet. 49th and 50th Sts. 212/872-4900), is remarkable for its large size, intriguing shape and consistent popularity. Filled with bronze images of... well, bulls and bears, this popular wood paneled spot focuses on the rounded mahogany bar encircling a towering selection of wines and spirits. Opened in 1960, the Bull & Bear salutes its antecedent at the original Waldorf, which was located on the current site of the Empire State Building. Many of its bartenders have been at their posts for decades, including Oscar, a 35-year veteran who occasionally receives mail addressed to him solely by his first name. Specialties: great cigars and port.

The landmark Algonquin Hotel (59 W. 44th St. bet. Fifth and Sixth Aves., 212/840-6800) is home to the Oak Room, once world famous as the New York literary set's salon of choice. This handsome room provides an intimate and civilized setting for some of the country's leading jazz and cabaret artists, who are typically booked for extended runs. The clientele is clubby and patrician - but anyone can buy dinner or drinks and hold his or her own.

Continental Hotel, (112 Central Park South bet. Sixth and Seventh Aves., 212/757-1900) - the former "Bar at the Ritz" - is still an institution for wealthy world travelers. They come for the excellent martinis prepared by Norman, bartender extra-ordinaire.

HOT SPOTS
While the chic Oasis at the recently opened W New York (541 Lexington Ave. at 49th St., 212/755-1200) is designed to transport guests into "an elegant oasis of tranquility," things inevitably heat up when the fashion, art and music crowd descends for cocktails before dinner at the hotel's Heartbeat restaurant. The ambiance has been described as California and casual, with clever organic touches that include a waterfall and backgammon tables disguised as tree stumps. Also at the W is Whiskey Blue (212/755-1200), overseen by nightlife impresario Rande Gerber (best known to People magazine readers as Cindy Crawford's hubby). The hip clientele enjoy cozy sofas that are great for people watching and a top-notch sound system that plays until the wee hours of the morning.

The Grand Bar and the Salon at the SoHo Grand Hotel (310 West Broadway at Grand St., 212/965-3000) have been chic gathering places since the hotel opened three years ago. The multilingual crowd - dressed mostly in black, of course - creates an energetic buzz that makes you feel like you're at the center of things. The Grand Bar was at the forefront of the "lounge-as-living-room" trend, and is filled with a mix of comfy, retro-chic furnishings that serve as great perches for drinking, people watching and nibbling on snacks like fried calamari and shrimp and the much touted Canal House macaroni and cheese. Specialty drinks: Grand Margaritas and Tartinis.

Secluded Retreats
After a full day of business meetings or sightseeing, a small and intimate atmosphere can be a welcome remedy to sensory overload. The New York Times has described the ambiance at Mark's Bar at the Mark Hotel (25 E. 77th St. and Madison Ave., 121/744-4300) as "a cozy tea room that feels like a luxury train car." This upper East Side hideaway never gets too noisy and patrons, who perch on forest green sofas and floral slipper chairs, are treated like guests in an elegant private home. Mark's Bar attracts the youngish fashion set, but the crowd can be diverse, depending on the evening. A selection of light fare, from pizzetas and quesadillas to caviar potato chips, is available throughout the day. Specialty: the house cocktail (a mix of pomegranate-infused vodka and champagne).

Secreted away beneath the Michelangelo Hotel (152 West 51st St. bet. Sixth and Seventh Aves., 212/765-1900) lies The Grotto, a refined hideaway for sophisticated evenings out in one of the city's more inviting cigar bars. With its tan leather couches, The Grotto has a more casual atmosphere than the upstairs Limoncello Restaurant but offers the same assortment of gourmet cuisine to those looking for a tasty snack or a full meal. An excellent selection of imported and domestic wines and premium liquor rounds out the experience.

Hidden within the newly renovated Washington Square Hotel (103 Waverly Place at MacDougal St., 212/254-1200) is a "best kept secret" in the tradition of great hotel bars, the C3 Lounge. The small, cozy basement space's classic bar and luxurious red leather chairs are a reminder of another era, while beautifully stenciled windows offer a glimpse of the current street scene. According to veteran bartender Shane Paradis, C3 attracts a large crowd of Europeans, who find it the perfect spot to pore over a map and a martini, but locals - as well as occasional celebrities - can also be found enjoying the laid-back scene. Specialty drinks: Mojitos and Pineapple Caipirinhas.

Morgan's Bar at the boutique hotel Morgan's (273 Madison Ave. at 37th St., 212/686-0300) has been described as "a gypsy's den lighted with candles." After 8p.m., the bar fills with a young crows whose voices bounces off the brick walls. Small, low tables are best for a tete-a-tete, while the long marble communal table guarantees mingling.

The recently renovated Jack's Bar at Le Parker Meridien (118 West 57th St. bet. Sixth and Seventh Aves., 212/245-5000) sets a classic tone with martinis served in your own personal shaker and a wall full of black and white photos of famous "Jacks." Jack's offers a cozy environment and a refined selection of beers, wines and spirits including the Polish Belvedere vodka and the 25-ounce Belgian Duvel beer, which comes capped with a champagne cork.

Istanain the New York Palace Hotel (455 Madison Ave. bet. 50th and 51st Sts. 212/303-7788) is a stylish refuge offering something unique in addition to its extensive wine and cocktail list - a 30 variety olive bar to accompany its comprehensive selection of Spanish sweet and dry sherries.

And the Halcyon Lounge at the RIGHA Royal Hotel (151 W. 54th St. bet. Sixth and Seventh Aves., 212/468-8888) is an elegant setting for pre-theater cocktails and nightly entertainment.

ROOMS WITH A VIEW
At the Marriott Marquis Hotel's The View (1535 Broadway bet. 45th and 46th Sts., 212/704-8900), the rotating rooftop view of Times Square is a major draw for many visitors.

Skybar at the Best Western Manhattan (17 West 32nd St. bet. Broadway and Fifth Ave., 212/736-1600) is a cross between a backyard deck and a funky beach bar. This partially enclosed rooftop watering hole is packed year-round with international visitors who appreciate the casual atmosphere and towering views of the Empire State Building.