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Uptown Bleecker St-Lafayette St (6)
2nd Ave-Houston St (F, V)
Downtown Bleecker St-Lafayette St (6, B, D, F, V)
Join us every day for happy hour from 1-9p.m: enjoy 2 for 1 drink specials, and open bar specials on the weekends
Snagged a table outside at around 11pm on a quiet summer Saturday. Very pleasant ambience - hushed, sexy and you can smoke.
Also apparently situated next to a graveyard? Appeals to my dark side. :)
Service was gracious, we were flanked by beautiful people and tourists, alternately, and the mixed drinks were a bit on the sweet side. I wish there had been some music, but I suppose they are subject to noise ordinances?
As another reviewer aptly put it, it wouldn't be my destination. But for an after-dinner drink and chat I'd definitely recommend it.
Sunday night after fashion week 9pm place was dead - just how i like it. Then my solitude was interrupted - Sir are you a guest ? Sorry these tables (patio) are reserved for hotel guests. What a pompous little b_t_ch. So if i was staying at the hotel do i get to s_ _g her on the patio cause she believes i'm stupid or self absorb enough to pay $450 a night for a bed in a closet; which would only be paid for out of expense accounts.
Anyway the decor is like a less seductive version of the "Spy bar" not the Spy Club - for those in the know. Over lit, over carpeted, over priced, under staffed, under trained. To top it off - next to a cemetery, i guess its great for Halloween. Which sums it up my review - trying to be something that it's not but not for laughs for serious bucks - how indignant.
The girls at the door were ridiculous and wouldn't let my boyfriend and I in. Our friend was the DJ that night and we were supposed to be "on the list"... whatever that meant. There were so many lists no one knew what was going on. She told us our friend was not there that night, and kept giving us silly excuses for not letting us in, simply because she was confused and getting yelled at by lots of people with the same problem. After some confusion we discovered that we needed a password, which we got texted to us, and she finally, let us in just to shut us up, but she still didn't know what was going on. It wasn't the girls' fault, the place was just totally disorganized.
Inside it had great decor and plenty of space to dance. A great outdoor patio, and a side room that was a little quieter with it's own bar. The patio was saturated with smokers, which made it hard to enjoy, plus, NO SPEAKERS outside! I couldn't believe that! How silly to have a beautiful, large patio at a club/bar, with no way to hear the music out there! Strange but diverse crowd. Until our friend took the stage, the music was horrible. A trio of female dancers/singers that was painful to watch. The sound system inside was so awful I couldn't even tell if these dancers were singing or not.
As with any club though, if you go with or meet fun people then you will have fun. But I probably wouldn't return here unless I had a reason to.
Depending on when you go, the Bowery Hotel Bar can be wonderful or miserable. In the past I've stopped by in the early hours of Saturday when it's packed and bitchy and expensive and reminds me of LA and I'm left wondering if I just elbowed Miley Cyrus or a different underaged tween in the face.
Most recently, however, it's been divine. The trick is to slip in on a weeknight for a cocktail or two (or three!). You can really sit back and admire the tattered antique rugs, well-placed deer antlers lining the walls and Romantic paintings of hounds and short men in ruffle-necked coats. The roaring fireplaces and deep velvet armchairs provide a welcome escape from a winter blizzard while the cocktails are expertly mixed and rapidly delivered. Don't expect any recession specials here, though, these guys know that they've got a good thing going and prices nudge the $20 mark.
Still, for a lingering hot toddy in the EVil, I'll keep the Bowery Hotel on my quicklist.
After not writing a review for several months I'm not sure where to even begin. From what I can remember, my impression of the Bowery Hotel Bar was that the space itself was gorgeous but beyond that it had little to offer for its guests. I think my major complaint about the place was that there only one bartender serving nearly 500 patrons making getting a drink an almost impossible task. On top of that the the drinks were way over priced ($12 for a shot?) which I guess was to be expected given the calibre of the place, however wasn't something I was too pleased about. All in all, its nice venue but I wouldn't plan my night around coming here.
There were lots of places to sit down but we had the courtesy to ask first - doesn't pay though - the rule is just sit until told otherwise, though very pleasant - the response was - its fashion week and if our guests feel like sitting down you'll have to move, but we'll see if we can arrange something.
Hmm, I'm not sure this is the best policy for making $, but maybe their hotel fashion week guests are not as understanding or polite.
We went up to the top floor instead..great views..
Somehow, and sometime, in the past ten years, New York seems to have turned its back on all it's celebrated wealthy enclaves and now strives to create entirely new ones in the unlikeliest of places. Prime example? The Bowery Hotel, which towers over the most famous skid row in the world. Luxury and exclusivity imperviously (carelessly?) set amongst the squalor of charitable missions, former gas stations and the neon glare of restaurant supply shops. Ignoring that confusing idiosyncrasy, the interior here is spectacular: redolent of Golden Age Hollywood (while the scene within may remind one more of today's bronze-era of vanilla Hollywood tartlets)... oak paneling, barreled ceilings, Spanish ironwork, tapestries, Persian carpets and high back chairs. It indeed is one of New York's best lobbies, and is a welcome throwback after ten gaping years of neomodernism and Philippe Starck. Yet so splendidly gothic is the space that the architecture itself becomes the star attraction. See and be seen here? Probably. The room is filled with bright young things (and, on the night I visited, a skinny mean thing- Rachel Zoe in town for fashion week), but also out-of-towners and a wedding parties. Expensive? Of course. That much goes without saying. The service? Deferential and divine. My advice? Go here on someone else's tab, a sugar daddy looking for some smoke and mirrors.
The hotel lobby bar is a great place to grab drinks and start the night. The decor is pretty eclectic. The furniture consists of a variety of velvet couches and chairs accompanied by tons of persian rugs and wood panelled walls.
Definitely plan on getting here early, the lobby bar fills up fast (especially on the weekends). I have been here with three friends and I have been here with ten, no matter what size my group, the lobby bar has been accomodating.
The drinks are stiff and pricey, but this is an excellent spot to begin the night. An added bonus for those who do not like to drink on an empty stomach - order some awesome grub (i.e. a cheeses or an order of french fries) from the hotel restaurant, Gemma, and have it brought straight to your lobby bar table!
This is a perfect location for a private event where cost is not much of an issue: posh, beautiful, nice outdoor space, great decor, servers with silver trays on the prowl throughout the crowd... Real high end vibe throughout the place, but not forced or pretentious. The event I attended was rock and roll oriented, and this was a perfect place for someone in the entertainment industry to misbehave in a somewhat shielded environment. So consider this a five star review for this place as an event venue for film or music industry parties.
Why only three stars from me then? Because this is exactly the kind of place where I'd feel like a chump if I finagled my way in just to hang out with a bunch of strangers and pay for my own drinks (which are as expensive as the decor is beautiful). So as a fancy bar wouldn't bother with it.
Had the most tranquil lunch today that I might ever had had in NYC. The lobby bar has a terrace in the back that serves food from Gemma's menu. The terrace is a great shaded spot, with comfortable seating, next to a wrought iron fence. The lovely part is the fence overlooks a charming leafy green with large trees and a constant cooling breeze - a bit of city owned land that used to be a cemetery. Though tombstones are long gone, a delightful green view remains- more akin to that you'd expect in a european village cafe than off the infamous bowery.
I went on Wednesday at 2PM, so it was pretty chill. Though I was sitting next to Andre 3000 of Outkast, so obviously the place is never too low-key.
Had some great wine, pretty decent italian food, and just a perfect respite from the busy gritty city which feels a mile away.
Love a place with creative mixology:
Me: "I've heard a lot about St. Germain. Can you make me something with it?"
Bartender: "You want it spicy or sweet?"
Me: "Spicy."
He comes back with a concoction of SG, añejo tequila, orange juice, lime & citrus bitters, the taste of which stood up to the ridicule of my friends for how girly it looked--high praise! Followed it up with a very enjoyable manhattan.
Beautiful room, great drinks, commensurate prices. Can I get a volume discount?
I went here entirely thinking its gonna be cool old hotel style bar. Lots of dark wood high back chairs etc. Nothing of the sort. Didnt even stay for a drink after the bitch at the door harassed the two girls I was with showing one of their i.d.s to some random tart that was having a smoke outside. I wouldnt even go back to crack him in the teeth.
Dont think I am a dive bar snot. Not the case. I am about the low key secret bars so it was a huge disappointment when I got here and there was a line. Fuck this place. Not down with the frat or banana republic crowd.
Plus side. I bet its cool during the day. Bet it was cooler back in the day. Food looked good too but atmosphere. How can u get past it
Love this place. It takes some work talking your way into the outside patio out back (supposedly for hotel guests only), but definitely do it. It's a great place to kick back and relax, spend some QT with your date, and marvel at the fact that you are outside on the LES of NYC and can't hear a single car. Amazing. If I closed my eyes, I would've thought I was camping.
Word to the wise, the Vodka Gimlets here are STRONG. Pace yourselves.
The Bowery attracts a lot of LA scenesters, but if you avoid coming here on the weekend, the lobby bar is a nice, low-key place to linger with a drink. The decor is very Casablanca meets your grandmother's house in the Southwest and on chilly nights, they light the fireplace.
Descent drinks list, kinda pricey, cool scene, but not digging the service. Arrived around 4pm on a Saturday day afternoon and were approached by the manager. Before even having a word exchanged we were told we can't sit outside because it's reserved for hotel guests. Then, he didn't even offer to seat us somewhere else. Nope, just went about on his own way and just figured we could sit wherever. Won't be going back for drinks any time soon....
I went here after dinner with my friend and her roommates because during dinner a handsome *out-of-town* man had come over to our table to inform us that he was staying at the Bowery and would love if we would swing by for a drink. Well, 45 minutes later, a Matt Damon sighting, a $15 cocktail and a repeated warning by the bouncer to SIT DOWN and stop walking around/trying to get service on my cell phone, this handsome gent had not arrived and I was most definitely ready to leave.
The atmosphere is cozy and old-worldly charming but the crowd leaves much to be desired and I can get my drinks alot cheaper with better conversation elsewhere in the LES. I won't be back unless someone drags me.
Originally, the Bowery was a place of amusements and the middle class...a place where the working class would stroll to be seen as they didn't have the deep pockets of those who walked on Broadway. As times changed, the Bowery became seedy with its vaudeville shows, flophouses, bars, and prostitutes and became synonomous with the poor and downtrodden. As New York City experiences economic shifts in areas around the city--the Disneyization of 42nd Street, the mall-ification of Soho, the hipsterization of LES, and currently the "cleansing" of SpaHa--all of which is truly gentrification--now it's the Bowery's turn. See exhibits A, B, and C--Whole Foods on Houston, the New Mueseum (http://www.yelp.com/bi...), and Ian Schrager's condos. Well, add to the list the Bowery Hotel--formerly the Men's Center!
Upon entering the hotel, we were greeted by some women who made a show out of checking their coats...I swear they were "of the night" with their Christian Louboutin knock offs, strapless black mini dresses, and oh so perfect coifs...and no, these were not "we're out on the town having a Sex and the City night" women. To me, it appeared to be a madam and her gals. That was just an entre to the cast of characters which decorates the Bowery Hotel (the list below comprises just the staff!)
--the red coated, top hatted, white gloved doormen
--a maitre d' who was attired in a blue/purple velvet jacket, some sort of stripped ascot like tie, cigarette pants with patent leather shoes--a la Riff Raff (Rocky Horror Picture Show) and Willy Wonka (Johnny Depp's portrayal)--with an accent and manner of speaking which was pretentious, condescending, and seductive all at the same time--watch dog of the tables as yes, you may've heard, hotel patrons only
--the hostess dressed from the pages of a fashion magazine who polices the lounge area, asking what you're doing there
--flamboyant server with Sideshow Bob hair do
I don't know how things work in the world of hospitality with regard to selecting employees, but I did feel there was a bit of racism here. It seemed the "better" jobs were reserved for Caucasians and the more menial jobs were held by those with an ethnic background. (I may catch some flack here, but go take a look.)
Patrons of the hotel are from (what appeared to be) all walks of life though I do believe it's safe to say that all of them would've strolled Broadway rather than the Bowery back in the day--business men, entertainment types, Wall Street boys and their trying-hard to-be-chic gals, & silver haired men looking for a trick. That said, I felt highly out of place here and thanks to the staff, I do believe I was looked at and treated like a mere peasant. My friend and I dropped $17 on a glass of wine and Diet Coke, so I do believe I was well within my right to take up floor space in this place which I feel could use a good airing out and bottle of Windex.
Yes, the charm of the Bowery Hotel which I keep hearing about felt musty and dirty, like I was sitting in a ship's galley. The ceiling and the wall behind the bar looks like scratched, rusty mirror; the walls (and it's not that they wanted to preserve the original wall covering like in some places) look like they need to be wallpapered; the carpet and chairs---ugh. And yes, there is a wall covered in antlers (one set is large, and the others are teeny) which disgusted me. The restroom is nice though I wouldn't say it's the cleanest--it has a pedestal kind of sink with what seems to be a broken drain. I don't think any of the stalls were handicapped accessible.
I will say this--if ever I have to recommend a hotel or stay at one in NYC (and I rent, so the likelihood is slim to none), I will NEVER recommend the Bowery Hotel. Just my experience with the Lobby Bar alone has sent my nose in an upturned direction like those who created the scenery last night. My comment to the kind doorman (the only employee who I can use this adjective in reference to, mind you) was "Well, it's been quite a journey!" and he responded, "And it's not even over!" And for better or for worse, and for his sake, I hope it's for better.
What I wore to the Bowery Hotel: Long sleeve shirt, skinny jeans, and motorcycle boots. Next time, I'll wear an evening gown--maybe I'll receive better treatment!
Great place to go on a chilly night for a drink or two. Nice ambiance. The service was a bit lacking, but the drinks were good, and they give you a bowl of nuts.
We went there for my friend's company's party. WIthout a doubt the deco of the bar was the theme.
We were introduced to a hidden staircase to the second floor, little alcove for coat check, and then a grand living room like space. The atmosphere was comfortable and the waiters were ultra friendly.
At the end, we met a waiter who later invited us to Wavely Inn...
A night of adventure
I love hanging out in this neighborhood when I'm in NYC. That said, I *should* love the Bowery Hotel Bar, but something is holding me back. Maybe the slightly snooty crowd?
It's also freaking hot in there. I love, love, the decor, and I will admit that it's a good place to come with friends to hang out. It is certainly very warm and inviting, but it's not exactly at the top of my list of places to visit again when I go to NYC.
I like this place. It was very warm and inviting, though the mere idea of a fancy hotel in the Bowery is a little mind-blowing.
But this bar makes you feel like you're in a lodge in Montana, or chilling out at the Awahnee in Yosemite. Gotta love all the antlers on the walls.
Also, they serve absinthe....the traditional way.....check it out.
A glass of red wine in the lounge at the "Lobby Bar" was an utterly lovely experience. Beautiful, wow-this-can't-be-the-"new"-Bowery decor--taxidermy, Oriental carpets, wood paneling everywhere--potted palms, comfy velvet furniture, and a refreshing lack of background music makes for an experience that makes you glad you wore pinstripe. (I did.)
The atmosphere is also refreshingly un-hotel-ish, though maybe that's because the Bowery Hotel isn't quite on the map of many obnoxious out-of-towners. Regardless, I loved it. I'll most certainly be returning soon.
This place is so cool...although you immediately will get ditched for a hotel guest.
good champagne and love the speakeasy atmosphere....will def go back.
The lobby bar is lovely and the staff is usually very nice. However, the vibe in here always seems off to me. Like a lot of "hot!", "trendy!" places with pricey drinks menus, the Bowery Hotel Bar attracts plenty of douchy characters.
I think being comfortable while you're drinking is a must, whether you're at a dive that serves $1 beers or an upscale hotel bar that serves $15 drinks. I don't know about the rest of you, but it is impossible for me to relax when I am surrounded by a bunch of screaming, drunk women and their screaming, drunk dates. It's even worse when those screaming, drunk people seem to be intent on letting everyone know how much money they are spending. If you're in a bar that charges at least double what drinks normally cost, it's safe to assume that you and everyone else there can afford it, or at least owns a credit card or two. No need to advertise.
All that said, the a-hole parade is far worse on the weekends. The last weekend night I was here, the bartender was in a foul mood (couldn't blame him) and a group of guys tried to pick a fight with my friend. If you must go here, go on a week night.
Editing to add that the lobby and garden areas have table service, but there is a bar right off the lobby. That is where any douchey activity is most likely to occur. A weeknight is still the best time to go, though, no matter where you end up sitting (or standing) - but I suppose that can be said about any bar!
I don't care what anyone says, the bartender at the Lobby Bar is awesome.
And you can't go wrong with dog paintings, pistachios, and a really un-Bowery place in the Bowery.
Then again I'd avoid this place on the weekends. Drunk Tuesdays it is!
The room is way cool with big old velvet armchairs, overstuffed couches, and fireplaces, plus a more traditional retro-chic bar in the back and a terrace that has been closed when I've been there. This could be a happening place.
However- the crowd is a little bit painful. I think the best way I can put it is that my companion and I were playing "spot the Eurotrash", and even the American patrons were falling afoul of our judgment. This is the kind of place where guys in white leather jackets and very tight jeans hang out with girls in black dresses three sizes too small. There is also a strong contingent of suits, and I'd put the average age around 40. All of this is bewildering, as one encounters a ginormous amount of attitude upon entering the bar. It is hard to figure out just whom they are screening.
Lay all this aside and you will, after all, be on a couch, possibly beside a fire, with a waitress who is much nicer than the door host, drinking a decent (not great) cocktail in a much more comfortable atmosphere than the average bar hang. I can live with that.
Absolutely love this place if I'm on the Lower East Side. I feel like I'm in Yosemite National Park, i kid you not. The ambiance isn't cosy--its a huge venue and PERFECT for a large party (was here for an after party and was blown away at how perfect the venue was for the amount of people and how everything just flowed perfectly)
Great staff, fun place, A+. Done.
I love this place. Really nice place to meet up for a few drinks, sit back and relax..get some work done. The service is impeccable and I like that it is mostly for guests to keep the atmosphere discreet. Love love love!
The bartender at this spot is utterly bizarre. I asked him if there was a roof and he told some exaggerated bullsh*t about how it was 30,000 sq feet with 3 bars. Low and behold - no roof. Just some second floor private balcony. Plus he looks strange.
This place is a bore. For the Bowery it's certainly the worst spot for one of the most well-known nightlife streets of all time.
It's quite unlike anywhere else on the Bowery, I imagine. You walk in and feel as though you've stepped through a portal to maybe...North Carolina, or something? Old-timey decor (think slow-moving fans and a taxidermied bulldog in a curio-cabinet near the bathrooms) and hushed conversation make for an interesting place to have a drink.
I've never purchased drinks here (oh, the sometimes-joy of being a lady!) so I can't speak for the prices, but it is definitely worth at least one visit. Sit in their regal, cushy chairs in the front and watch fancy-looking people check in to the hotel or sit in the shadowy back patio area and enjoy the "outdoors"!
Also: I've heard that there is going to be a "dance club" or something of the sort on an upper floor of the hotel. I'm not sure when/if this is actually happening, but I can say that if it does, it will be weird and/or interesting.
I love posting up here for a few hours on a low key night.
The cocktails are usually good but I've had a couple bad ones on busy nights when the bartender is in a rush.
I like it best on empty nights, this place loses its charm when its full of bros trying to get wasted on a friday night.
The bar is especially nice if you are staying in the hotel, because you can have any of the reserved tables. It has a very mellow feel on the off nights, my personal favorite time to go. Very hip and trendy, and can be crowded. Tell Mario the bar manager that I love him please.
FULL DISCLOSURE: I discovered I've got at least one friend working here. And at the time of my visit, while it was serving the public, there hadn't been any official announcement of its opening, so I'm not sure how representative my experience was.
Combine the vibe and the aesthetic of the Waverly Inn and Freeman's, and you have something like the lobby bar and lounge of the Bowery Hotel. No wonder, when you consider it's another hotspot from Sean and Eric (from the Maritime and the Waverly), with the design attributed to Taavo Somer (of Freeman's fame).
Vaguely Victorian and very of-the-moment-New-York (if a bit reminiscent of a slightly less baroque Hotel Costes), the lobby bar at the Bowery Hotel is at once swanky and hip. The bar itself is very well attended to, with an experienced and well-pedigreed staff.
At the moment, it seems to be managing to maintain a perfect crowd without resorting to velvet ropes and doormen, unlike its cross-town rival, the Gramercy Park Hotel -- so much so that I almost hate to write about it, but the maelstrom of hype is inevitable.
This is the type of place to enjoy a good conversation over a drink. It's not a party spot by any means (at least not at the moment), especially with its noticeable lack of music. Go here to enjoy the company of friends or make a serendiptious encounter, and leave the outrageous antics for elsewhere.
I totally loved the space upstairs (I was really drunk but there is a downstairs bar as well that I went to, and I'm still not sure if it was also considered bar of the Bowery Hotel Bar experience).
So basically here's the thing, you walk upstairs to your left. Boom you're in the first bar, a low ceiling affair with a condensed feel and coat check and bathrooms. Lots of stone here, it really does have that study feel but with a smidgen of noir and stuffy elegance. It's almost a tease because you're like, is this it? But no, it isn't.......
.....because when you go through the hallway, it's like you're in the garden of good and evil. It has a serious tone to it, with the high ceilings, one olympic sized pool table, and nooks and crannies and lounge rooms and two bars opposing each other, one smaller one larger. I can't really describe the space that well, but basically you come into a windowed corridor into the large bar area, beyond that are stairs hooked around some seating and long cushioned benches and stuff. The pool table is central, but the way the windowed partitions are set up it's not part of the fireplace lounge. The small bar is near the other bathrooms and the DJ booth, which is basically like a high school booster club vendor/stand with a sliding door that comes down, you know, in case nobody likes the music.
But yeah, I'm not sure what it reminds me of, but Eastwood's film version of MITGOGAE rings a bell for some reason. You could come in a tuxedo and it wouldn't look out of place (not a slick suit necessarily, but a tuxedo, it's old school like that). There's just almost a musk feel to it, if that makes sense. It's the kind of place that if it got dusty, with all the amber and yellows and browns and tans, it wouldn't be out of place, you know?
Hippie/southern gothic/70s/Klute/macabre/Lynchian.
One of my favorite and most-frequented places to hang out for no particular reason. I always have a wonderful time here and I heart the staff.
I stayed at the hotel over the New Years weekend, my friends wanted to check out ,my digs so I had them meet me here for a drink. The drinks were good the staff was friendly and I like the outside smoking area, but unbeknownst to me, the 2 cosmos (fancy bar, fancy drinks, right?) I had would cost me $34. WOW! So maybe I'm usually a beer girl and am used to paying somewhere between $4-6 a drink, but if the need calls, I'm perfectly willing to shell out for a "nice" drink but really - $17 a drink and I didn't even get top shelf vodka. So for that I'm only giving them 3 stars. But speaking of stars, we did see a few up and coming actors in the lobby.
The decor is rich and old timey and though I heard a lot about this place being kind of pretentious and/or a vortex for the trendy crowd, the space always feels comfortable and intimate while sitting on one of the plush couches by the fire place. I love coming in to people watch on slower nights and being able to order from next door Gemma (delicious burrata) is also a big plus.
Maybe it was just me, but this place reminds me of study hall or some mansion's library. Decked out in old school garb, the place seemed old and stuffy. Perhaps I am just not sophisticate enough to enjoy the full amenities of this place, but my friends and I left within 5 minutes. The outdoor patio looked nice, but a gentleman looked at us and told ur right away.. "we're full." so then we decided to ditch our parent's library study room and went somewhere else. I dont think I will come back.... unless I'm 50.
its fun and very happening on tuesday nights! loves it!
Neighborhood: NoHo
Category: Hotels
Neighborhood: NoHo
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: NoHo
Category: Italian
Neighborhood: NoHo
Category: Lounges
Neighborhood: Midtown East
Category: Bars
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