Bemelmans Bar

All 102 rated mentions, most helpful first

in:Anyone ID this restaurant? Thank youuuu! 185 pts
replying to u/Excellent-Trainer494: Bemelmans Bar
“The drink was delicious and when you think about the quality and volume, it really isn't that expensive compared to lesser bars. Worth a visit!”
H3
in:Cocktail Bar Recommendations1 pts
“Good cocktails, best martinis in the city, roughly around 25-30 a drink, and everyone dressed up.”
H3
in:Old New York restaurants (Mad Men era) 52 pts
“my wife and I got some great cocktails at Bemelman’s.”
H2
postHow Did I Do on My Big East Coast Bar Tour?34 pts
“Exactly my kind of classic ol’ place, would be higher rated but a bit crowded and loud, but still had incredible vibe.”
H2
in:Classic NYC cocktail bar that gives NYC vibes?28 pts
replying to u/henreiman: Pricing constraint is tough, Bemelmans would probably be your best bet otherwise. Maybe Analogue in west village for $20 cocktails?
“if you can make Bemelmans fit into your budget, it’s well worth it. It’s not a kitschy cocktail bar, but rather a legitimate old NY cocktail bar that is not past its prime and serves the same clientele to this day. It is truly an experience.”
H2
in:Aperitivo in nyc11 pts
“the Bemelmans bar serves snacks automatically with its well made cocktails-- usually a trio of potato chips, nuts and rice crackers.”
H2
in:Moving to the UES - looking for your favorite restaurants, delivery/takeout spots, cafes etc.5 pts
“great atmosphere but way too $$$, drinks are watery and not worth what you pay for them.”
H2
in:Looking for Cocktail Bar and Dinner Recommendations for Thursday for 35 pts
“Drinks are pricy but the ambience is well worth it imo.”
H2
in:Quiet cocktail with lowkey jazz playing?4 pts
“I mean, that’s exactly the vibe.”
H2
in:Anyone ID this restaurant? Thank youuuu! 3 pts
replying to u/Excellent-Trainer494: Bemelmans Bar
“Love this spot, classy, drinks are $$$ but they always give “the extra”, champagne BTG list is stellar”
H2
in:How crowded is Bemelman's Thursday nights in July (particularly July 4 weekend)3 pts
“It will probably be longer than it's worth. There are some very nice hotel bars around there that I think will be a better experience all around. Bemelmans is full of Instagram obsessed 22 year olds these days”
H2
in:What are some drinks/food that were invented in NYC?2 pts
replying to u/patarms: The St Regis didn’t invent the Bloody Mary. Also, I LOVE the St Regis for close personal reasons; I still wouldn’t send a tourist there. The prices are comically high, the service can be shitty unless you are a regular, and TBPH, they are not great mixologists. There are much better high end old school loungey/cocktail bars I’d suggest. Bemelmans, Monkey Bar, The Gold Room.. I could go on.
“Been to a few cocktail places and loved Bemelmans the best. But now that it's been (re)discovered, it's not as enjoyable.”
H2
in:Best Manhattan bars open weekend afternoons with great cocktails and snacks?2 pts
“Bemelmans Bar has the best bar nuts and chips.”
H2
in:Best food option at mid night? Near midtown east2 pts
“If you want something special (and expensive) you can book Bemelman's on the UES.”
H2
in:Dinner and cocktail spots near The Guggenheim?2 pts
“Bemelman’s for cocktails”
H2
in:Anyone ID this restaurant? Thank youuuu! 2 pts
replying to u/DrFaustPhD: I went there after ending my dry January this year. Service was very friendly, though looking around at the people I remember thinking I'm not rich enough to be in this classy place. I was also slightly taken aback by the $30ish dollar drinks, but when they brought mine out, they also gave me the shaker in a little ice bucket that had an entire extra pour in it. The drink was delicious and when you think about the quality and volume, it really isn't that expensive compared to lesser bars. Worth a visit!
“Definitely worth a visit.”
H2
in:Hi everyone! My grandparents (82 & 85) are visiting NYC for the first time this June and I really want to give them a nostalgic, classic New York experience. They love all kinds of food and are still very adventurous eaters.2 pts
replying to u/InflationFit4428: Bemelman's Bar at the Carlyle. King Cole Bar at the St Regis (?). Minetta Tavern
“Love the Bemelman’s bar. Fabulous cocktails & great atmosphere.”
H2
in:Double date Christmas time NYC1 pts
“Bemmelman's bar for a martini”
H2
in:What places are overhyped but actually deserve it?0 pts
“worth the hype every single time on atmosphere alone”
H2
in:Sexiest ambiance84 pts
“Manhatta, Mace, Beekman, Shinji, Bemelmans, the bar at the Ritz Nomad, Electric Lemon, Hotel Chelsea (Quijote or the lobby bar), Gramercy Tavern (bar or dining room)...that's what I got off the top.”
H1
in:Classic NYC cocktail bar that gives NYC vibes?62 pts
“Bemelmans would probably be your best bet otherwise.”
H1
in:Scored a really hot date. I want to impress the daylights out of my date with an upscale type cocktail spot in the city. She likes Hotel Chelsea as reference 47 pts
“These spots come to mind - Bemelmans bar, king Cole, bar room at beekman, Monkey Bar, Raines Law Room and Shinji.”
H1
in:Most visually impressive restaurant in NYC?40 pts
“going for drinks at Belmelman’s Bar is one of my favourite things to do when I’m in the city.”
H1
in:Oysters and Martinis in an iconic spot?30 pts
“Bemelman’s, of course!!”
H1
in:Places like Bemelmans (or like it used to be)?25 pts
“Bemelman's is still great imo, maybe you just stopped by on a bad night.”
H1
in:Old New York restaurants (Mad Men era) 24 pts
“Bemelman’s Bar (more of a bar)”
H1
in:Sexiest ambiance23 pts
replying to u/Neither_Leading1247: Manhatta, Mace, Beekman, Shinji, Bemelmans, the bar at the Ritz Nomad, Electric Lemon, Hotel Chelsea (Quijote or the lobby bar), Gramercy Tavern (bar or dining room)...that's what I got off the top.
“Total, pure cinematic ambience, literally felt like we were in a movie in this moment.”
H1
in:Bars or something to do after dinner at polo bar?23 pts
“Go up to Bemelmans?”
H1
in:Please help me rank these cocktail bars for my out-of-town friends23 pts
“Personally, Bemelman’s should be your top stop. It’s a classic and they serve the best martinis :) hope this helps - enjoy!”
H1
in:Places like the Grand Central Oyster Bar17 pts
“At the high end, old King Cole in the St Regis and Bemelmans in the Carlyle are special.”
H1
in:Old New York restaurants (Mad Men era) 15 pts
“Bemelmans bar can be great or can be touristy.”
H1
in:Bars that won’t make me feel ancient14 pts
“You can’t beat Bemelman’s bar at The Carlyle.”
H1
in:If you had a tux - where would you go to eat?14 pts
“Bemelman’s”
H1
in:Places like Bemelmans (or like it used to be)?12 pts
replying to u/loratliff: Tomi Jazz [https://www.tomijazz.com/](https://www.tomijazz.com/)
“Just like Bemelmans, Tomi Jazz was ruined by TikTok.”
H1
in:Food that you won't find anywhere else in the world.11 pts
“For upscale quintessential NY I look to River Cafe, Bemelman’s bar, and maybe One if by Land, Two if by Sea.”
H1
in:Historic food tour of NYC11 pts
“Bemelmans is a delightful spot.”
H1
in:Oysters and Martinis in an iconic spot?10 pts
“Also second Bemelman’s.”
H1
in:Annual guys dinners at Keens. Thinking about changing it up.9 pts
“Eat at Raouls, then head to Bemelmans.”
H1
in:Bars that won’t make me feel ancient9 pts
“Bemelmans”
H1
in:Fancy coctails after the ballet?8 pts
“they're probably the single best bar in the city north of 42nd street. Certainly the best with an explicitly nicer atmosphere.”
H1
in:Hotel Bars- which do you like for people watching, food, cocktails, ambiance?8 pts
“bemelmens at the carlyle, bar blondeau at the wythe, lobby bar at the bowery are all really chic and great people watching.”
H1
in:Sexiest ambiance7 pts
replying to u/tre269: nubeleuz! or the nines or monkey bar are kinda sexy
“bemelmans”
H1
in:Classic NYC cocktail bar that gives NYC vibes?7 pts
replying to u/jryan727: Came here to say the same. OP if you can make Bemelmans fit into your budget, it’s well worth it. It’s not a kitschy cocktail bar, but rather a legitimate old NY cocktail bar that is not past its prime and serves the same clientele to this day. It is truly an experience.
“I love Bemelmans.”
H1
in:Oysters and Martinis in an iconic spot?7 pts
replying to u/SoothedSnakePlant: They're a bit weird for this specific one, because they're far more known for absinthe drinks than martinis. They're an iconic spot but mostly for the specific idea of a French absinthe-oyster bar. I think they're a better overall bar than Bemelman's, but I do think that Bemelman's is probably the most iconic place for this specific combo.
“Bemelman's is iconic and famous for sure, and a great idea.”
H1
in:Please help me rank these cocktail bars for my out-of-town friends7 pts
replying to u/Competitive-Bad2624: I wouldn’t label that as Meatpacking District but all west side? For that I’d include: Employees Only, Angel’s Share, Little Branch, The Garret West Village (it gets very crowded). For good views: Manhatta, Nubeluz, Overstory For good scene (feels very NYC): Bemelman’s, Portrait Bar, King Cole Bar For eastside bars: Double Chicken Please, Amor y Amargo, Superbueno Personally, Bemelman’s should be your top stop. It’s a classic and they serve the best martinis :) hope this helps - enjoy!
“Bemelmans is always my tops for recommending to out of town guests.”
H1
in:Can you share a list of beautiful cocktail bars in NYC?7 pts
“Apotheke martinys, Raines law room, please don’t tell, employees only, monkey bar Beamer and bar”
H1
in:Fancy coctails after the ballet?7 pts
“Would you go crosstown? Bemelmans.”
H1
in:Quintessential first time experience for fiance and I.7 pts
“For drinks: Bemelman’s, Midnight Blue, Martiny’s, Portrait Bar at the Fifth Avenue, and Nubeluz (mostly for the views; drinks are pricey but it’s enjoyable)”
H1
post10 Of The Best Cocktail Bars in New York City6 pts
“It feels impossible to rank, list, or fathom the cocktail bars in NYC, but I love these 10.”
H1
in:Classic NYC cocktail bar that gives NYC vibes?6 pts
“Bemmelmans Bar. Classic Old School NYC.”
H1