Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Whiling Away the Happy Hours
Many of the city's best bars suddenly become more afford-
able from 4 to 8pm or thereabouts, when it's definitely a
happy hour if you can snag one of those signature cocktails
($14 martinis, anyone?) at half-price or two-for-one; or
maybe there's some free bar food, or another value-saving
offer. Happy hour is a great time to experience those pricey
places you've heard so much about. For information on
happy hour at many of the city's watering holes, check
www.sheckys.com
or
Murph's NYC Bar Guide
at
www.
murphguide.com
, updated daily.
Tips
are in serious cocktail heaven when your drinks are served with liq-
uid condiments; your Pisco Punch needs a bit more sugar, you can
squeeze a dropperful in. Or your Gin-Gin Mule just doesn't pack the
citrus tang you would like, add a dash of lime. Unless it's salty
peanuts or pretzels, I usually disdain bar food, but for the Pegu
Club's amazing Diver scallop mini burgers and addictive smoked
trout deviled eggs, I will happily make an exception.
77 W. Houston St.
2nd Floor (at W. Broadway),
&
212/473-PEGU;
www.peguclub.com. Subway: A, B,
C, D, E, F, V to W. 4th St.
Rose Bar
I usually abhor bars that are “scenes;” where you need
to be on a list to gain entry. But what Ian Schrager and artist Julian
Schabel have created in the Gramercy Park Hotel makes going
through the various humiliations it might take to get in
almost
worth
it. The space is spectacular with rose-colored velvet chairs, original
Warhols and Schnabels on the walls, a fireplace, a red and white tile
floor, and a billiards table you will be too intimidated to approach.
Sit on one of those plush chairs, sip your $20 cocktail, enjoy the
flawless sound system commandeered by top name DJs and for a few
moments you might forget that you don't belong in this swanky,
celebrity-laden environment. Reservations (hard to get) are manda-
tory after 10pm and security is tight.
2 Lexington Ave (btwn 20th and 21st
sts.).
&
212/920-3300.
Subway: 6 to 23rd St
.
Temple Bar
One of the first comers to New York's lounge scene,
Temple Bar is still a gorgeous Deco hangout, with a long L-shaped
bar leading to a seating area with velvet drapes, backlighting, and
Sinatra crooning in the background. Cocktails don't get any better
than the classic martini (with just a kiss of vermouth) or the smooth-
as-peignoir-silk Manhattan (Johnnie Walker Black, sweet vermouth,
