Top New York Bars with Stunning Decor: Spots Preferred by the Aware and Trendy Design Enthusiasts for Quenching Their Thirst
New York City boasts a thriving cocktail culture, with numerous establishments that seamlessly blend art, design, and social interaction. Here are some of the most iconic bars in the city that embody this unique blend:
The Allure of New York City's Cocktail Bars
From cinematic settings to Parisian-inspired art salons, New York's cocktail bars are a testament to artistic inspiration and designer prowess. These venues have graced the screens of classic films, such as "Scarface" and "American Psycho," and continue to captivate patrons with their immersive interiors and inventive cocktails.
Julia Demer, a style editor from across the Atlantic, shares her experiences of the city's cocktail scene: "New York's cocktail bars are the city's second playground. They're hubs for half-overheard conversations, overserved martinis, and—more often than you'd expect—creativity. The crowd is always a mix: finance and tech guys, designers, PR people, models. There's overlap, too: a fashion intern chatting with someone who trades futures is standard fare. That's the city."
Navigating the Big Apple's vast selection of bars, nightclubs, venues, and restaurants can be challenging. To help narrow the choices, we turned to a community of leading interior designers and design enthusiasts. The selected hotspots were noted for their transportive ambiance, art, and decor, making them a melting pot of artistic inspiration.
NYC's Top Cocktail Bars
1. The Met Opera Patron Lounge
Located at 30 Lincoln Center Plaza, the studio GACHOT's redesign of this space is an ode to the 20th-century grandeur and innovation. Drawing inspiration from Billy Baldwin's original interiors, the redesigned lounge stands out with its sophisticated use of textured wallpaper, black granite, and brass accents, complemented by mirrored walls and velvety surfaces.
2. People's
Based in Greenwich Village, Emmet McDermott and Margot Hauer-King's People's has quickly become a favorite among patrons. Its historic townhouse setting and rotating art exhibition program, coupled with the culinary experimentation of the Elizabeth Street Hospitality group, make it a must-visit destination.
3. Quarters
Set in Tribeca, Quarters fuses a gallery, curated boutique, and multi-functional space under one roof. It is a one-stop shop for New York's creative crowd, offering a home-like setting where people discuss beautiful objects with conviction.
4. Apotheke NoMad
In the lively NoMad district, Apotheke NoMad is a temple of modern medicinal mixology that boasts a vibrant, uplifting look. With intricate wallpapers, backlit aurora marble bars, and vaulted ceilings, the space offers an unforgettable night out experience.
5. The Tusk Bar
Aptly named, The Tusk Bar, part of the French-inspired brasserie Brass at The Evelyn Hotel, transports visitors to an Art Deco and Beaux Arts parallel dimension. Its cherry plum and tile palette, wooden paneling, and fresco on the bar ceiling create an intimate, home-like setting that is both charming and sophisticated.
6. Overstory
Situated on the 64th floor of 70 Pine Street, Overstory offers a wraparound terrace with uninterrupted views over the city parks and landmarks. Its eclectic, nostalgic vibe transports guests to the 1920s while managing to remain 21st-century relevant.
7. Bemelmans Bar
Bemelmans Bar, tucked under The Carlyle Hotel, has been a beloved institution since its 1947 inception. Known for its timeless elegance, iconic murals by Ludwig Bemelmans, and live jazz performances, it remains one of the city's most enduring and memorable bars.
8. The Clemente Bar
Inspired by the stimulating atmosphere of Kronenhalle, an institution in Daniel Humm's native Switzerland, The Clemente Bar features an expansive painting offering that captivates patrons with its storytelling and artistic sensibility.
These cocktail bars embody the essence of New York City's vibrant nightlife and art scene, making them must-visit destinations for those seeking an immersive, socially interactive experience. Whether you're looking to immerse yourself in a Parisian art salon, enjoy handcrafted cocktails in an historic townhouse, or appreciate the intricate decor of an Art Deco-inspired bar, New York's cocktail scene has something to offer everyone.
- The color palette in the Met Opera Patron Lounge, designed by studio GACHOT, incorporates textured wallpaper, black granite, and brass accents, creating a sophisticated ambiance reminiscent of 20th-century grandeur.
- People's in Greenwich Village embodies a trend of fusion, blending culinary experimentation with rotating art exhibitions, making it a popular destination for those appreciating both fashion-and-beauty and food-and-drink.
- Quarters in Tribeca exemplifies the lifestyle of New York's creative crowd by providing a multi-functional space where furniture, art, and decor merge, offering a home-like setting for engaging conversations about design.
- Apotheke NoMad's interior design showcases vibrant, uplifting art and decor, with intricate wallpapers, backlit aurora marble bars, and vaulted ceilings, embodying the city's entertainment scene.
- The Tusk Bar, part of the French-inspired brasserie Brass at The Evelyn Hotel, offers a unique decor trend, transporting visitors to an Art Deco and Beaux Arts parallel dimension with its cherry plum and tile palette, wooden paneling, and fresco on the bar ceiling.
- Overstory, situated on the 64th floor of 70 Pine Street, boasts an eclectic, nostalgic vibe that takes guests on a journey back to the 1920s, while still remaining 21st-century relevant in its decor and design.
- Bemelmans Bar, with its timeless elegance, iconic murals, and live jazz performances, stands as a symbol of the general-news worthiness of New York City's cocktail culture, maintaining its enduring and memorable presence since 1947.
- The Clemente Bar, inspired by Kronenhalle, an institution in Daniel Humm's native Switzerland, captivates patrons with its expansive painting offering and artistic sensibility, reflecting the educational and self-development aspect of the city's art scene.
