I love cocktails. I love cocktail bars. I love dive bars and swanky bars and everything in between. I love bars with a subdued, relaxed vibe. I love bars that are raucous and lively. Let’s face it; I just love bars.
When I travel my modus operandi is to drop my bags and ask the hotel concierge where the nearest bar is. Many times they simply refer me to the hotel’s own bar, and I’m fine with that. I’ll order my drink, relax, and scope out my fellow patrons. It’s a great way to decompress and engage in one of my favorite activities: people watching.
New York City hotels are numerous, and therefore it’s safe to assume that it’s rife with hotel bars as well. It’s also a large city so investigating each and every one of these bars would be a time consuming and hangover inducing job. Pay me well enough and I just might take that challenge.
But, in the absence of time I’ve elected to focus on one the city’s most popular areas, Times Square. If you find yourself in need of a break from from the crowds and chaos, duck into one of these hotel bars in Times Square and relax with a much needed cocktail.
Hotel Edison
The Hotel Edison at Times Square features one of the city’s most iconic bars, the Rum House. As the name implies, Th4e Rum House focuses on specialty cocktails featuring small batch rums from around the world. Live jazz music is available Wednesday through Saturday nights, and the decor combined with the music creates an atmosphere that can’t be beat. For those who might need a bit of morning inspiration, the Rum House also offers six different Bloody Mary choices.
The Intercontinental Times Square
With the luxury and impeccable service that the Intercontinental chain is known for, it’s no surprise the the Intercontinental Times Square delivers all that and then some. Their Ca Va’s Fireside Lounge serves up inspired cocktails in an incredibly luxurious setting. Try one of their specialty drinks before or after a Broadway show.
Waldorf Astoria New York
Could it get any fancier than the Waldorf Astoria New York? The name is synonymous with luxury, and a visit here will have you rubbing elbows with the city’s movers and shakers, and maybe a celebrity or two. Try a hand-crafted cocktail with a side of live jazz at the Peacock Alley Bar & Lounge, or head to the Bull and Bear, consistently voted as one of the best bars in the entire world.
Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan
With a stunning view of the lights and action on Broadway, the Crowne Plaza Times Square Manhattan and its Broadway 49 Bar and Lounge is a sublime place to enjoy a cocktail. The bartenders here create fresh, seasonal cocktails and there is an extensive list of specially selected wines by the glass.
The hustle and bustle of Times Square can be exciting, but sometimes you may simply need a spot to relax and decompress away from the crowds. Duck into one of these cocktail bars and let the spirits carry you away.
This post is sponsored by Hipmunk. All content and opinions are my own, and I really do love bars.