Upper East Side’s Most Iconic Hotel Bar Crawl
Velvet booths, crystal chandeliers, and cocktails so good they should come with a warning label.
The Upper East Side isn’t just about quiet wealth, designer handbags, and an unhealthy obsession with pilates—it's also home to some of the most iconic hotel bars in New York City. If you’re in the mood for an upscale night of sipping top-shelf cocktails in velvet-clad lounges, then welcome to the most glamorous hotel bar crawl of your life.
Leave the tequila shots and sticky floors to downtown—this is a luxury crawl, darling.
Stop #1: King Cole Bar at The St. Regis New York
The Vibe: Timeless elegance with a side of scandal.
The King Cole Bar is as classic as it gets—think old-money energy with a little rebellious streak. Once a favorite of Marilyn Monroe and Salvador Dalí, this spot is where real New Yorkers sip their martinis with pinkies half-raised and secrets half-spilled. The dark wood, deep red leather seating, and that famous Maxfield Parrish mural set the scene for an impossibly chic evening.
The Drink: The Red Snapper—a.k.a. the original Bloody Mary. They invented it here, so you have to order it. Think of it as a rite of passage into high-society drinking.
The Bites: Truffle fries that will make you momentarily forget your rent is due, and oysters that scream "I summer in the Hamptons."
Stop #2: The Bar at Baccarat Hotel
The Vibe: If Versailles had a secret speakeasy.
Stepping into The Bar at Baccarat Hotel is like stepping inside a jewelry box. Dripping in crystal chandeliers, mirrored walls, and Parisian glamour, this place is where champagne is practically a requirement. Expect impeccably dressed patrons, impossibly smooth bartenders, and a menu that whispers indulgence in a sultry French accent.
The Drink: The Baccarat Old Fashioned—because if you’re going to sip bourbon, why not do it out of a hand-cut Baccarat crystal glass?
The Bites: Caviar, wagyu sliders, and gougères that will ruin all other cheese puffs for you forever.
Stop #3: Two E Bar & Lounge at The Pierre
The Vibe: Gatsby-level glamour meets modern-day indulgence.
Housed in The Pierre Hotel, Two E Bar & Lounge is where New Yorkers come to feel like they’re starring in a 1920s film (but with better lighting). By day, it’s an elegant afternoon tea spot, but by night, it transforms into a dimly lit, velvet-draped lounge where signature cocktails and jazz reign supreme.
The Drink: The Royal Blush—vodka, fresh berries, and a hint of St. Germain. It’s dangerously smooth and devastatingly chic.
The Bites: Lobster rolls so good they should have their own Instagram account.
Final Notes (and Pro Tips)
Dress to impress—this is not the place for sneakers and last night’s eyeliner.
Expect a price tag that matches the vibe (but hey, you’re paying for the experience and the clout).
If you want the full experience, start your night around 6 p.m. at King Cole Bar, catch the golden glow of Baccarat, and then end with a sultry nightcap at Two E.
This isn’t your typical bar crawl—it’s a cocktail-fueled tour de opulence. So grab your best outfit, summon your inner socialite, and sip your way through some of the finest cocktails the Upper East Side has to offer.
