I preferred afternoon tea here over the Plaza Hotel! I've been to the Plaza twice and this was my first time having tea at the Peninsula Hotel. When you walk in, go up the stairs to the right and walk straight to another set of stairs to the lounge. It was beautifully decorated for the holidays and they had a partnership with the New York Botanical Garden holiday train so the menu was train themed and they had a cute train on the table. Our server said "Choo choo" multiple times throughout our meal which was sweet. I do think it's best to make a reservation in advance since there's not that many tables (the space is definitely not as big as the Palm Court in the Plaza Hotel). You may have to pre-pay though (for the entire meal plus tip). We had a cozy table for two and really enjoyed our time there. There was a piano in the corner but no live music (I didn't mind since it might have gotten too loud and made it hard to hear each other). The tea selection is much more limited than some other afternoon tea places (only six options). I also wish they served the teapots on top of a warmer with a candle so the tea would stay warm. The service was great, they constantly came by to refill our tea. Everything also came out without too long of a wait. They served the sandwiches first which came on one plate, and then they brought out a three tier stand with dessert and scones on the bottom. It was also cute that they put the lemon curd and jam in the train. I would highly recommend stopping by especially during the holiday season (and you don't have to do the afternoon tea). read more

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The drinks were presented in elegant fashion. The bartender Ben is a highly experienced mixologist and worked with me on modifying a drink. He was very cheerful and made it a fun evening for all of us. The burger, made with lamb and Wagyu beef is the perfect combination. An intimate setting with superb live music compliments the experience. read more

Gotham Lounge - NYC art and elegant decor. - New American Near Me - New York, New York

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My wife and I love Afternoon Tea and we were so excited to try it out at Gotham Lounge especially with the elevated menu. Sadly we were disappointed because it was too elevated especially the sandwiches which we're unfamiliar flavors/textures with pate, foie gras, etc. The caviar was fishy and briny. Deserts are great though. Service was very good as well. read more

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This is not like the Peninsula in Hong Kong if that's what you're thinking. Think Howard Johnson or the Ramada Inn, because this place is so obsolete lol. The staff aren't very attentive or professional. The room smelled like horse doo doo. And worst of all, the food was so so bad. Just look at the photo below of the pastries. Our price for two people? - $220 with gratuity LOL Verdict: read above. read more

Gotham Lounge - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Reservations for afternoon tea aren't necessary, but don't hurt. Gets pretty busy around 4pm on Saturdays. The dishware was by far the cutest part of the experience. Plus nice plush chairs and couches, which aren't the best for eating, but make for a much more relaxed feel for afternoon tea than perhaps other spots. The spread was decent for $80++. We were definitely full afterwards. They make sure to serve one of everything per person in your party, plus a decadent piece from La Madison du Chocolat for a closer. I just wish there were more savory, such as tea sandwiches. Teas were great! Exactly as described on the menu. Chocolate - A Bai mu dan - A- Lapsang souchong - A- read more

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Afternoon Tea at the Gotham Lounge is exactly what you want - a beautiful not-to-big room, comfy seating, exquisite Wedgwood china, savory and sweet bites of highest quality, amazing assortment of teas (try Garden of Dreams), and perfect service - formal yet warm. Not inexpensive yet worth every penny. Best I've ever had and really, you will be so happy! read more

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Small place, but very fancy . I could say this place is overpriced. For 2 people they will charge you $300.00 including tips . For this kind of money they should give more food . But it's great experience. You need to try once. read more

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Yea , we really liked this lounge . Gorgeous. Service is delightful & gracious forward hospitality. The complimentary snacks were perfect, unfortunately we were not hungry , snacks work w libations , we did nibble a bit & so yummy . Rosemary almonds , variety of wonderful olives & nice blocks of cheese . What's not to like about that . I had a Don Julio hand-shaken margarita , oh man , it was so tasty . I mean really , really refreshing & delicious , companion had a spec lychee cocktail , also Delicious. This hotel has two bars , I think the other is rooftop . We usually have a drink upstairs at The Plaza , but all three Lounges / bars were so busy , we decided to try this beautiful hotels bar. I do recommend it . Also , most people in this room were enjoying tea . And it looked so cool and colorful . All the tea pots were different patterns , looked a lot like a Sofia Coppola movie ( Marie Antoinette) The tables all looked editorial . Like magazine shots . We normally would of been all bummed to not partake in afternoon tea , but no appetite and all about the cocktail . If up town , and feel like Afternoon tea , or cocktails and snacks , check out Gotham !! Def worth it . read more

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Dropped in to Gotham Lounge for a spot of tea today. Typically we love the Peninsula Hotel and have had excellent experiences thus far (see my recent review of the Peninsula Paris, which was basically heaven on earth). Our experience today, however, was a different story. First off, I'd like to say that the ambiance at Gotham Lounge is great. Love the decor and cozy feel of the room. Sofas are comfortable too. Scones were tasty. Were they worth $6 each? Absolutely not. I understand that the Peninsula charges a premium, which I am happy to pay. But $6 for a relatively small scone is straight up ludicrous. Our biggest issue, however, was with the service. Our server was curt and unfriendly, interrupted us when we were asking questions about the tea selection, seemed inconvenienced by our presence, and was basically the opposite of the friendly staff we've encountered at Peninsula Hotels around the world. We were able to ignore his abrupt behavior, until another family was seated near us. Our waiter was a completely different person with this family - outgoing and talkative, pulling out their chairs and making additional space for their stroller. He even brought their son a Peninsula teddy bear - this after pretty much ignoring us and our daughter. I mentioned the service disparity to the waitress who brought us our check, and she was very apologetic about the situation. She even mentioned it to the manager who also came over to apologize. While we appreciate the apologies we are really just mystified by the entire situation - hence the two star rating. Will we return? Probably not. There are too many good midtown hotels that offer afternoon tea to return to Gotham Lounge. read more

Although this bar does not quite have the nostalgia like the King Cole or Oakroom, this bar is very pleasant. The best thing about this place is that the bartenders are very friendly and eager to help you out in every way. The serve some of the best drinks. Yes, it is expensive, but you don't come to a place like this looking for Happy Hour specials! Oh, and their snack tray is amazing! Trio of olives, mixed nuts and cheese curds. Very yummy and if you like to really munch, go ahead, they will give you more! My favorite drink here is the Side Car. I really love the way they present it here. Luckily, all of my favorite "must try bars" are all within a few blocks of each other. read more

Gotham Lounge - New American Near Me - New York, New York

************* REVIEW 201 **************** 1 of the best address on 5th Avenue, the Peninsula! & every thing located inside this hotel, the Gotham Bar. On your right, second floor, this bar has the best Keylime Martini in town. Served with a snack the moment you sit down, nuts, olives, & cheese, so yummy. Plenty of room between tables & did I mention the afternoon high tea? Blackberry sconces, apricot jam, & mini sandwich that fill you up so quickly! I love the bartenders here, they are the best & extremely polite. 1 of the reason why I love staying here! read more

Gotham Lounge - Keylime Martini - New American Near Me - New York, New York

The ambiance was gorgeous and very relaxing. The food was exceptional and the service was outstanding. The concierge Joseph made sure we had a delightful evening. I highly recommend the Gotham lounge to everyone. read more

The afternoon tea is just okay, the dessert here is not very special and the cake was too sweet. read more

Gotham Lounge - High tea with my girls - New American Near Me - New York, New York

The service here is flawless and it is a small and relaxed venue. I actually prefer this over Salon de Ning on the rooftop as the service and food quality is better here. They also offer afternoon tea service - if I recall there are two versions, with the difference being champagne. Between the Peninsula, the London, and the Four Seasons, I think afternoon tea service here is the best. We have also had drinks, desserts, and food here multiple times and I have to say that the food is "ok", nothing spectacular. The drinks and dessert however are great - the cheesecake here is absolutely superb. We've come to know the staff here well and they really hook you up and take care of you. read more

Gotham Lounge - Creme Fraiche Cheesecake - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Absolutely best service in NY! The Ma Cherie Champagne spritzer is amazing!! Excellent style, intimate searing, and beautiful view when it's snowing. read more

I had afternoon Tea here for 2 of my friends' birthdays. I will need to admit that I will not remember this place in a week. We were a party of 6 and made reservations where we didn't even get a table. We got a long coffee table, a couch, 4 chairs, and 2 ottomans to put tea on. Their staff was good, not as good as The Plaza, The Whitby, or The Crosby Street Hotel. Food, drinks, tea was disappointing, it was OK but at approx. $80 per person, I felt that the variety of sandwiches, the desserts, etc. was not worth it or up to par. I didn't walk away wow'd, and think to myself, I'm definitely coming back here with all my other friends. Hands down, if you want to experience amazing High Tea, go to The Whitby or The Crosby Hotel. I will have to try other places to keep my running log of High Tea. read more

Super cute place that I would highly recommend going to if you want afternoon tea with friends! We were a little late due to the parade going on outside but they had our table of four ready for us with a great attitude. On the pricey side, especially comparing afternoon tea places in London, but overall, great service, tea, and hors d'oeuvres. read more

Gotham Lounge - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Came here at 4pm on a weekday with a child (we're staying at the hotel). Took 10min for anyone to approach us after being seated (and other tables who were sat after us being served first), another 15min to get one cocktail and a glass of orange juice, despite the fact that it was nowhere near busy. Stunningly slow service, type-casted customers (I perceive our slow service to be related to the fact that it was one adult and a child), 9 dollars for a glass of Minute Maid orange juice. I expected better from the Peninsula. read more

Came in for a drink after shopping and sight seeing. We had a great time at the Beverly Hills Peninsula bar so we decided to try our luck again. Average drinks. The price is on par with most upscale hotel bars. The complimentary snacks though! I was not hungry but decided to take a little taste after my husband said the nuts were great. A lovely trio of olives, cheese and sweet and savory walnuts. I was suprised when I looked down and we had devoured the whole thing. I got an even bigger surprise when the waiter took it from us and brought it back replenished! read more

I came here with a boyfriend for afternoon tea and was not disappointed. The service was friendly and attentive and the tea and food that came along with it were to my liking. Granted, it does seem to be on the pricier side, but it was a lovely experience nonetheless. read more

Had very poor service, not indicative of Peninsula brand. However, even the manager while apologetic did nothing to make our experience good. Service seemed like we were burdensome to them. They were not busy yet not attentive. Again- this location in NY is nothing like any Peninsula I have been to. Was considering visiting regularly for afternoon tea and also going to the hotel for spa but totally turned off from this location. read more

I love this bar and if I had more money, I'd come more than once a year. It's like drinking in an art museum. Breathtaking. Decadent. Old school and old money (even if many of the guests are new money or foreigners). I have never eaten here. Wines by the glass are typical of this sort of hotel (St. Regis, Gramercy Hotel etc). But to treat yourself to a glass of wine for 19 (that's the cheapest) and sit in this elegance once in awhile is lovely. read more

Service was superb, but be ready to dig deep into your wallet! Pricey at around $22 for a martini, but it was fabulously strong... Drinks in the evening come with complimentary trio of snacks: parmigiano-reggiano cheese, olive sampler, and a spiced nut mix (all you can eat too, the waiters continually refill for you). I went to this lounge with my boyfriend & friend before eating at the 5's. It was a wonderful place you could just sit, enjoy your drink, and chat without yelling over loud music or squinting to find each other. The waiter even brought our table complimentary finger sandwiches [smoked salmon, egg salad, etc.] because he saw us enjoying so much of the cheese/nuts/olives!! I'll definitely be going back soon (my boyfriend already has a few times)! read more

Afternoon tea at the Penninsula is something engrained into the minds of anyone who has lived in China -- for some reason, it's an obsession of the ladies that men happily indulge in. Running in excess of $70 a person after tax and tip, tea at the Penninsula is a luxurious and opulent experience that if I did every day would happily bankrupt me. Service here is as professional and attentive as you would expect from such a prestigious hotel. We had a wide selection of teas -- my companion and I both opted for a less traditional green tea, which was brought out with a filter to prevent any tea leaves from making it into our beautiful porcelain cups. The food was served on the traditional three-tier plate, and varied in quality -- cucumber sandwiches and scones were not spectacular (the scones especially were a little stale), but the sweeter pastries and cakes were delicious. After tea we took some pictures around the lobby, where they had some interesting light fixtures and very expensive bags on display. While I'm not keen on putting down nearly $200 on tea for two, I totally understand the obsession with "tea at the Penninsula" -- perhaps I'll repeat my patronage in Hong Kong where the prices are much more reasonable. read more

This is getting 2 stars for one reason only. We had walked and traversed the city for 13 hours and sought out the Peninsula for a nightcap. And we found a wonderful sofa open that gave us no choice but to sit on it. It was wonderful. Everything else was atrocious. The drinks and wine markups are crazy, even by NYC standards. The service....well, the only waiter for the entire lounge was pathetic, snooty, irritating, slow, and came close to breaking a 10 year streak of not stiffing a server. My wife talked me into tipping, but it was nowhere near as generous as is my own personal rule. The worst experience of our trip. Avoid at all costs. read more

Had afternoon tea here. It was not as enjoyable as the Pembroke Room and The Plaza. The sweets and savories were not that fresh and quite skimpy. Considering how upscale the hotel is, they really need to step up their afternoon tea game. read more

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I am not a drinker but it was a nice place to go. Manhattan views are goddess as usual and people are accommodating(except bartender). Not bad. A little small space for luxurious mean people. lol We were disappointed with bartenders. They did not pay attention, tired and no smiles. Definitely not the top service from 5 stars hotel but overall experience was fine after first glass of champagne. lol read more

Feeling old world fancy and have deep pockets to reach into? Then consider Gotham Lounge, if you seek a quieter, stuffier atmosphere. Who knows, you might run into a hooker or two to make your evening more interesting. I'm a bigger fan of the bar upstairs Salon De Ning as well as King Cole Bar across the street, but I don't mind it here. If anything, I'd love to try it for afternoon tea with the girls. Still a solid, classy place to catch up with your favorite people in the world. read more

This is nice relaxing small lounge with small,bites and. Nice wine list. Service a little maybe because all the sets were full. The menu is small but covers most anything you may want. This is not a full dining place. More like a Sunday afternoon lounge place to just hang and relax. read more

I love to splurge during the holidays for afternoon tea and have been looking for a replacement to the Pierre, which used to have amazing teas in the Rotunda. The Gotham Lounge is not that replacement. The service was terrible - the sandwiches took a long time to come out - when we asked for more salmon sandwiches we were told they ran out! (BTW, it is traditional to get a second round of sandwiches on request at the fancier teas.) None of the sandwiches were that good - though the quality of the shrimp was high. I don't associated turkey sandwiches with high tea. My Darjeeling was just ok, my friend's souchang lapsong was quite good. The desserts were bland. The only strong suit - the scones and date bread were quite moist and well-made. But the poor service ruined it all. read more

I was here Jan. 7th on a snowy day with my best friend. We made reservations on Opentable the same day to get a 2:30 PM slot. It's inside the Peninsula Hotel and once you walk in, you walk up the stairs to the right and it will be right there. I expected it to be a bigger place - it was actually very small but the great thing was they reserved a table for us right next to the window so we had a great view. We both got the afternoon tea which was $60/pp. The tower came with scones, macarons, little sandwiches etc. We had a female waitress and she was always smiling and gave us great service - something that maybe Mandarin Oriental needs to learn a little from. I stayed there for about 2-2.5 hrs and they never rushed us into leaving. I probably won't go back again since it's far from me. read more

Gotham Lounge - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Visiting NYC for a work trip, I arrived a day early to enjoy an afternoon in the city. Spend part of the day picking up a few Christmas gifts at the Bryant Park Holiday Shops. Tried walking up to Central Park, but it was too cold and getting dark so I popped into a lobby to warm up and find a spot for a drink. Yelp steered me over to The Gotham Lounge at the Peninsula, partly due to the note on the snacks offered - a nice tray of nuts, aged Parmesan and olives. I walked over, thankfully spotted a seat at the bar - the Lounge was quite crowded by 4 pm on a Tuesday in mid-December. I ordered a Hot Toddy, could have sworn it was made with rum (it was white liquor) rather than the usual whiskey, but still tasty and warmed me up perfectly. I had my book with me (Christopher Moore's Christmas book, The Stupidest Angel), and enjoyed the setting. With the snacks provided, paying $18 for a beverage wasn't too shocking - it is the Peninsula after all and fitting for the perfect service, fashionable setting and snacks (I wasn't meeting friends for dinner until 8 pm). The tea service looked lovely as well as the other bites that were arriving at tables. People kept coming in for seats but finding it quite crowded (some disappointed faces seeing the crowds enjoying themselves). All in all, a great way to spend a few hours relaxing. read more

Love this bar. It is one of my favorites. Great service and wonderful location and atmosphere. Service is high level. We come here often for an evening cocktail. Love the atmosphere and feel of this place and high quality service... Great bar... Beautiful too. The tea is wonderful and such a great offering. read more

Located inside the Peninsula Hotel, this lounge is gorgeous, but a tad pricey. Our bill for two girls (with 2 glass of wine) came to around $140. Service was excellent and the portions were really decent. I even had enough to pack home! While most posh people wouldn't pack a doggy bag, there was no way I'd let my $37 pasta go to waste! Plus, I just love leftovers. Would I go back? Probably not. But I did enjoy my time here. read more

We decided to have a late lunch and this was one of the restaurants that was still serving! I loved the old school vibe in the Peninsula. The lounge was busy and we had to wait a few minutes before getting seated. We ordered the burrata, the peninsula caesar salad with chicken, the lobster Cobb salad, and the truffle fettuccini. The burrata was small, but a great appetizer, with hints of truffle and some focaccia bread. The main courses were huge! I ended up sharing my lobster cobb and it was amazing! First the dressing wasn't a heavy blue cheese dressing, but more of a balsamic. The presentation was of a classic Cobb! The caesar salad was less exciting. Mostly lots of lettuce. I think the dressing wasn't very heavy either because it was suppose to be one of their lighter options. My favorite was the truffle fettuccini that came with lots of shrimp! This dish did not hold back. I thought it was also on the lighter side since there was no heavy sauce. Mmmmmm. Overall lunch was great! Don't forget to top it off with some rose after a day of shopping! read more

Not impressed! Place it's small. Not enough outdoor heaters in the early spring.Staff is careless and despite the view being beautiful, the cosmopolitans are pure lemon juice. I do not recommend this place. read more

Gotham Lounge - Do not order Cosmo - New American Near Me - New York, New York

Disappointed!! Was waiting to be seated and then other people that came 10 minutes after I did got to be seated first. No explanation I find it unacceptable read more

This may be my favorite bar in the world. No, its not totally fancy or hip or busy. Its just cool and the service, drinks, and general vibe is incredible. Its comfortable and discreetly located just off the lobby of The Peninsula. Even if your not staying at the hotel, I suggest an afternoon or early evening cocktail. The drinks are perfectly made. You don't need to ask for a glass of water, its part of the excellent service. And they bring a very generous three part little side dish of bar treats to snack on. This day as in other visits, I had cubes of some very high quality nutty and salty cheese (not sure if it was a pecorino but I think so), a nut mix with a bit of a kick and sweetness, and of course olives. Expect tux service and never to have to ask for a drink as they are keeping their eye on you. Again, service service service. I cannot do this justice in a review. If you dig bars, this is one to add to your stops. read more

Poor services. Not worth $70 a afternoon tea set. Cakes and sandwiches tasted cheap, and tea was just okay. Pistachio cake was stone hard. Chocolate cake was worse than average. Bread on sandwiches was dry. Won't recommend to friends. read more

For the Peninsula, we expected good food. We got decidedly average food, a boring menu designed with little thought, poorly prepared (as simple as dry, overcooked tasteless chicken and not resting meat before it was served - bloody plate anyone?). Poor beer and spirits, up tight unknowledgeable staff and service. Frightfully overpriced (even for a hotel). If you're in NYC don't waste your time here, particularly when there are so many great choices just outside the door. read more