Cheers to New York City’s Best Hotel Bars

Opening in April 2025, Leonessa at Conrad New York Downtown marks the debut hotel bar from renowned restaurateur Ariel Arce. Located on the 16th floor, this rooftop gem draws inspiration from the whimsical designs of Milan atelier Fornasetti, with the lioness symbolizing strength and style. Embracing Italian aperitivo culture, the space (formerly Loopy Doopy) offers a playful yet refined atmosphere where guests can enjoy spritzes, martinis and amaro nightcaps while soaking in stunning skyline views. A fresh and exciting addition to Lower Manhattan, Leonessa is set to become one of the best hotel bars in NYC.

For a dose of Old-World glamour, Casa Cipriani New York’s private Club on the fifth floor is one of the best hotel bars in NYC. Housed inside the landmark Battery Maritime Building, this members-only retreat blends Venetian elegance with New York edge—offering everything from coffee-fueled mornings to martini-soaked nights. The Pickering Room, named after Harry Pickering—the American traveler who unknowingly helped fund Cipriani’s empire—honors its namesake with rich wood, mirrored ceilings and a history worth toasting. The Promenade Bar keeps things chic with aperitifs, while the West Terrace delivers sunset cocktails with skyline views. And what to drink? A Bellini, of course—Giuseppe Cipriani’s peach-perfect signature, best enjoyed under golden hour’s glow.

For a taste of the Gilded Age—and one of the best hotel bars in NYC—step inside The Gold Room at Lotte New York Palace. Nestled within the landmarked Villard Mansion, this golden-hued gem is a rare relic of New York’s Millionaire’s Row, its opulent interiors still gleaming with 19th-century grandeur. Beneath soaring ceilings and gilded detailing, guests can sip classic cocktails in a space designed by the legendary Stanford White—one that’s been enchanting Madison Avenue for over a century. For an even more exclusive affair, Rarities awaits. This invitation-only hideaway, tucked deep within the property, pours rare and pre-Prohibition spirits worthy of Henry Villard himself. The setting? As refined as the pours.

Perched above the pulsing heart of Times Square, St. Cloud Rooftop at The Knickerbocker stands out among the best hotel bars in NYC as a sky-high sanctuary with the best seats in the city. Here, craft cocktails flow as effortlessly as the neon lights below and a lush living wall offers a breath of fresh air amid Manhattan’s electric energy. Since 1906, the property has been a beacon of indulgence, once hosting the city’s most glamorous revelers. In spring 2025, the legend grows with Akoya, an intimate temaki experience led by Sushi Chef Taishi Yamaguchi and iconic chef Charlie Palmer. Tucked inside St. Cloud, Akoya’s hand rolls, rare sakes and signature cocktails promise a next-level rooftop rendezvous.

Perched 18 stories above the city, JIMMY at ModernHaus SoHo is one of the best hotel bars in NYC. By day, it’s an exclusive rooftop pool oasis offering a front-row seat to the City that Never Sleeps (the pool reopens Memorial Day weekend 2025). As the sun sets, it transforms into a vibrant rooftop lounge, buzzing with energy and an electric atmosphere—just ask our friends Auldsouls. Sip expertly crafted cocktails like the Bond Street Affair or Prince Street Sour while the music pulses and the city lights twinkle below. Downstairs, Jumpin’ Jacks transforms from a café to a lively lounge by night, offering creative cocktails and an atmosphere that mirrors the vibrant artwork curated by owner Jack J. Sitt.

Step inside Titsou Bar at Hotel Barrière Fouquet’s New York, one of the best hotel bars in NYC, and suddenly, it’s 1920s Paris—with a Tribeca twist. Tucked behind velvet curtains, this rose-hued speakeasy is a candlelit rendezvous for private tête-à-têtes and champagne-soaked soirées. A nod to Lucien “Titsou” Barrière, the bar channels Le Marta Paris, serving up Art Deco glamour, sultry jazz and cocktails as bold as a midnight escapade on the Seine. The bartenders? Masters of mixology, crafting drinks that awaken the senses and spark curiosity. Whether you’re here for a quiet martini moment or a buzzy night of revelry, expect Parisian mischief in the heart of the Big Apple.

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The article’s cover shot features Titsou Bar at Hotel Barrière Fouquet’s New York.

Originally the Gentleman’s Library at The Pierre, A Taj Hotel, Two E has been reimagined by bespoke hotel interior designer Alexandra Champalimaud to embody the timeless sophistication of an Upper East Side residence. By day, it offers light fare and a luxurious afternoon tea; by night, it transforms into one of the best hotel bars in NYC, where signature cocktails are served beneath the glow of an Art Deco-style copper bar. With elegant columns, a dramatic ceiling and live jazz performances, Two E delivers the quintessential Manhattan experience—where cocktails, music and the iconic Central Park atmosphere blend into one unforgettable evening.

Just steps from the hustle of Park Avenue, The Parlour at InterContinental New York Barclay offers an intimate hideaway in the heart of the city. Paying tribute to the hotel’s 1920s origins, this stylish bar delivers the quintessential Manhattan experience with a menu crafted from local, sustainable and seasonal ingredients. Freshly picked herbs from the rooftop garden and honey from the hotel’s own bees add a unique touch. A local favorite and one of the best hotel bars in NYC, it’s the perfect place to unwind to classic jazz from the Great American Songbook every Wednesday while sipping from a curated selection of over 80 premium gins.

Few places capture Old New York glamour like the King Cole Bar, one of the best hotel bars in NYC. Tucked inside The St. Regis New York, this legendary haunt has hosted icons like Salvador Dalí and John Lennon—while still drawing cocktail lovers eager for a taste of the past. Beneath a Maxfield Parrish mural of Old King Cole on his throne, patrons sip the bar’s most famous creation: the Bloody Mary (originally called The Red Snapper). TV fans might also recognize it from Gossip Girl. While seating is first come, first served, there’s one exception—Table 55, a private corner hideaway with a secret seasonal six-course tasting menu and an exclusive selection of rare wines and whiskeys.

For a bar that practically drips in luxury (and actual crystal), head to The Bar at Baccarat Hotel—one of the best hotel bars in NYC. Beguiling and provocative, this shimmering temple to indulgence is the perfect foil to the adjacent Grand Salon. Taking visual cues from grand American long bars, opulent French ballrooms and the royal stables of Versailles (barrel vaulting and natural-wood walls included), it’s as much spectacle as destination. The drinks are just as extravagant—served in Baccarat crystal—while the champagne list is among the country’s finest. And for true connoisseurs? This is the only venue in NYC offering the newly released LOUIS XIII Rare Cask 42.1, arguably the world’s most prestigious spirit.