The lobby bar is the perfect spot for a date night or to catch up with friends. The inside is beautiful, moody and not too loud, making is a great spot to catch up. Came here without a reservation on a Saturday night and was able to be seated in about 15 minutes for a group of 3. We split a bottle of one of the cabs and it was delicious. The free nuts are also very tasty. Drinks are a little pricey but the ambiance is worth it. Would absolutely come back! read more

Space is beautifully kept and decorated - really a banger as far as ambiance goes. Bar selection has great depth and the potion masters are generous. Maddeningly busy, but I shouldn't have expected less for a Valentine's evening in the city! read more

Lobby Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

The vibes at the Lobby Bar are A+. It's beautiful, classy, and all about the martinis. If you are coming here, best to go all out and order the Duke's martini. They truly perfect the craft. If you're seated at a table, they roll over a martini cart and make it right in front of you. The bottle rests in a block of ice, they do a light vermouth rinse, and then pour the chilled vodka straight into your glass. It comes with a sidecar of olives and lemon. A fantastic experience and absolutely worth checking out! They don't take reservations, so bake in some extra time. Our party of four had to wait 30 mins on a Saturday evening. Definitely worth the wait! read more

An absolute classic that has been reborn and we love it. The cocktails are among the best in the city. The service is great too. Dylan Thomas and Bob Dylan -- the two Dylans -- would be duly impressed. read more

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I stopped in at 8:30PM on a Thursday evening. I've been meaning to come here for quite some time. The lobby bar (and really the entire hotel) was bustling. When I walked in, I approached the host stand. A very kind gentleman told me I could look for a bar seat and if I couldn't find one, he would assist me with getting a table. All of the bar seats were taken so I took him up on his offer of a table. Having just been rudely denied a table for 1 by the staff at The Ivory Peacock, I fully expected to not get a table at the Chelsea. Especially since this is a much more upscale and historical venue. However, there was no issue. The gentleman showed me to my table in the back room of the bar, which was beautifully decorated. The staff had no trouble seating a party of 1 and did not make me feel like gutter trash like the Ivory Peacock did. The drink menu is interesting and extensive. I ordered the Viva Superstar. The drink is pricey at $32, but it's really two drinks in one. You are served the cocktail but they also provide you a sidecar of white wine that fills the entire glass as well. I loved this cocktail! I like that they had good vegetarian options and I ordered the vegetable sandwich. It's so good! The bread was perfectly crisp and I love the dill cream cheese. There's also a cheese board I have my eye on for next time. The ambiance of the bar was low lights, and average noise. There's multiple rooms and the bar is pretty big. Wait service could have been a bit more attentive, but I think my server was working multiple rooms so at times he was not around for a while. The busboys walk around frequently filling up water and removing dirty plates however. The drinks and food prices are higher than average here but given the context of this venue, it's expected. Overall, I really loved this bar and the experience of the gracious staff. Will definitely be back. read more

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4 Stars for a very cool and vibey Lobby Bar in the historic Hotel Chelsea with strong, but pricey drinks. We were staying at the hotel and had to hit up the famed Lobby Bar. Luckily, we grabbed spots at the bar right away. The bar itself is absolutely stunning. They put a lot into the entire hotel renovation and it's definitely the type of spot you could find yourself spending several hours at. I got a classic martini, which was cold and strong! Yes, the drinks here are pricey. Even by NY standards. But you're sitting in an iconic bar that has tons of incredible history. Check out the Hotel Chelsea wikipedia for some great stories. Overall, I'd definitely return for a drink while in the area! read more

We had an Amazing time with friends from Brazil here. We had the famous 1800 martini. read more

Lobby Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

4.5 stars The Hotel Chelsea had a historic past that I had not experienced until recently. The grandiose lobby felt like you had entered a European castle; it was stunning! The Lobby Bar started as a main room with a large bar and 2 big tables, however, off of that space, there were several smaller rooms containing a handful of lounge areas. Each of these spots offered a couch, coffee table, and a few comfortable chairs. It was perfect for our large group of reuniting colleagues. The cocktail list was certainly pricy, with both classic and custom drinks averaging $25. My dainty beverage contained peach, lychee, sparkling wine, and a few other components that I cannot recall. It was really refreshing and had light notes of flowers and sweet stone fruit. I really enjoyed it, but had expected a bit more peach flavor. Our group also shared fries, which were thin, crispy, greasy, and salty in all of the right ways; they were perfectly delicious! A trip to the Hotel Chelsea's Lobby Bar would be one that you would remember. Its vintage decor and classic vibe created the perfect atmosphere for glamorous drinks and light bites with others. read more

Anyone who has actually had the sublime experience of enjoying a martini at Duke's Hotel in London will be sadly disappointed in Chelsea Hotel's Lobby Bar's mediocre attempt to replicate the experience. The first red flag in their "Tribute" cocktail was "gin OR vodka". Alessandro's [Duke's maestro] signature cocktail is a "Vesper" with homage to Ian Fleming which incorporates both gin AND vodka. When we were told that this libation was not offered, we opted for a "Duke's "gin" martini (lamenting the ludicrous redundancy of a martini that does not contain gin). Further disappointment was encountered when we were told the cocktails were made with Tanqueray Ten and not the London No. 3 Dry which is used at Duke's. The final embarrassment was the table-preparation which is the culmination of the experience at Duke's. No frosted ice cold glasses, no gin so frigid that it will barely pour, just a slosh of vermouth and a, at least generous, pour of chilled, second rate gin. Not sure what Duke's charges these days, but Chelsea's lame imitation at $32 was at no better than a run of the mill ~$22 martini available at dozens of Manhattan neighborhood bars. Having hoped to be transported to a reasonable facsimile of the experience of the real Duke's the outing was a real letdown. The ambiance at the Chelsea Lobby Bar however is eclectic and charming, so overpaying for a lackluster cocktail was compensated perhaps by the delightful surroundings and attentive, if not polished, service. read more

Stopped in for a quick drink with friends. The martinis were all delicious - my favorite was actually the 1884 martini. The dukes martini comes with tableside service and a vermouth sidecar with olives but it was a bit strong (why they limit guests to 2 of them). The 1884 I felt was more balanced and classic. The dirty martini was also very good but much like most martinis elsewhere. The cheese board was also very good. Friendly staff. Fun experience, especially walking though the holiday decorations in the lobby. read more

Lobby Bar - Dirty martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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I wouldn't have imagined I'd need a reservation for a hotel bar, but the Chelsea Hotel has its policies. The decor and vibe is wonderful, a classy and comfortable hotel lounge with nice bar and several lounge areas (one reserved exclusively for hotel guests). We ended up at the bar because we hadn't made a reservation and there were no tables available in any of the lounge areas. Drinks were good but ridiculously expensive ($30+ for a cocktail? I'm from the area and even I think that's obscene.) The hotel is a classic with lots of history, and the renovations are beautiful (and so is the ladies' restroom!), but way overpriced. read more

I love it here. The fries are yummy (the only food we have ever had here). The cocktails are always executed perfectly. They are fancy, craft cocktails, so yes they are expensive--but they match other NYC cocktail prices. The ambiance and aesthetics are supreme. Vintage couches/chairs, some comfier than others. Beautiful decor, artwork from people who had lived here. Pro tip: you can take your cocktails to the roof (11th floor) and bask in the elevated, breezy skyline of NY (you need a key after 7 pm I believe.) I always stayed at the Chelsea when i stay in NYC and I love sitting at the lobby bar for a drink (or two or three). read more

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Literally the coolest bar in NYC. You feel like you are in a 1950s movie or the titanic bar. Very classy and upscale. The martini is one of the best in the city although it is quite expensive but this is expected. Great for dressing a little nice and hitting the town! read more

when i went it was quite busy but so beautiful and i had a very nice time the drinks weren't cheap but they were really tasty i got the espresso martini which wasn't on the menu but it was still so good they also have lite bites bar seating is iffy and the staff doesn't really clear the chairs so it gets a bit disorganized at times but there is a lounge type setting as well they just don't take reservations unless ur a hotel guest read more

Lobby Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Lobby Bar feels like it's quickly going to become one of those "unique New York experiences" that blows up on TikTok and then becomes impossible to get into. Just a hunch. It's not a venue where the aesthetics are clearly catering to influencers and trendy folks (and those types of places absolutely do exist), it is just exquisitely beautiful and tasteful. I know Hotel Chelsea is long-time famous and the folks who created Lobby Bar are doing its history proud. Lobby Bar feels like an oasis in a highly trafficked (and not in a cool, Lower Eat Side way) part of Manhattan. It's relaxing, it's old school, it's got flair, the service is amazing and of course, the drinks are downright impressive. We came here at around 10/10:30pm on a Saturday night. We had just dined at El Quijote (which also has fantastic cocktails) and there was a party waiting for our table there, so one of the servers mazed us through the back of El Quijote and into Lobby Bar. I had no idea that the two connected and I'm not sure if that route from A to B is used by all patrons or just those accompanied by staff, but in either case, it felt cool to be escorted right to our table at Lobby Bar. There are two sections to Lobby Bar. One is in the same room with the bar itself (slightly more polished), and the other feels like an annex of sorts that is relatively more relaxed in vibe. We were in the annex which meant witnessing even cooler design elements and aesthetics (brick, plants, benches, feels like an enclosed patio with some subtle European vibes). Needless to say, this is a fabulous setting to enjoy drinks. Our server was generous and delightful, and despite how busy the bar was, we received our drinks promptly. Unfortunately, the menu for Lobby Bar is not posted online so I can't tell you exactly what we had. The first drink was most definitely called the 1884 Martini and it was most definitely one of the best martinis I've ever had (I didn't get the Instagram-famous ice cold one because I wanted something more unique in flavor profile). Super upscale with high quality ingredients, clean and complex and just divine. My second drink is a bit more of a mystery, but I can tell you that it was a type of sour (shaken whiskey or gin drink) that was darker in color and served with an ice nugget. Also divine. I wish we could've stayed for more, but I was properly tipsy after this second drink and a third would've not only been irresponsible, but foolish in that I probably wouldn't have even remembered what sort of drink it was. Guess we'll need to return promptly! read more

Ambiance 100% and I recommend anyone who loves historic buildings or rock music. Come to the hotel Chelsea. If these walls could talk! We had a drink we were seated in the back and the bar is quite large very pretty. You should probably have a reservation. It's very difficult to get in the service isn't that great but the vibe is just amazing. read more

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This used to be a reliable favorite, but it has lost both its charm and its standards. On a quiet Monday night with the room half empty, we were rushed off the table an hour in -- after being served a rock-hard, inedible dessert. The experience felt disrespectful rather than hospitable, and frankly beneath what this place once promised. Definitely never returning here. read more

A must visit for everyone Great atmosphere This is how i want my house to feel. Elegant and relaxed Staff very nice and accommodating Will be back for sure read more

Great service and superb cocktails. With inflation and I guess just "the times" $25 cocktails are the norm in NYC ... some might've shocked other even appalled but I have to say THIS cocktail (the Oaxaca old fashioned) was worth every penny. The bartenders are friendly and skilled, so welcoming and not an ounce of pretentiousness in the air. read more

Lobby Bar - Oaxaca old fashioned - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Omg feel like I I entered into the great gastby. The bartender or was it the server? Dresses w white suits. The bartender was pretentious. I ordered the famous Dukes Martini w gin served table side. A bit salty bc it has olives. But it's good. The cheese platter was good. So much history in this place. Located inside the Chelsea hotel where Andy Warhol used to frequent. Come try the martini. read more

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Lobby Bar, located in the Chelsea Hotel, is a great quiet spot. The cocktails are amazing and highly recommended. read more

Lobby Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

The Lobby Bar at the Chelsea hotel is gorgeous. Went with 2 friends before a concert and we had a lovely time trying out some of their beverages, small snacks and ambiance. The bartender we had was able to tell us fun stories about some of the more quote on quote "paranormal" activities of the older building. Cannot wait to return and explore the lobby and the entire hotel more. read more

Came here with a friend for drinks. There are no reservations here. We came pretty early and was able to get a table easily. By the time we left it was definitely a lot more crowded. Lobby bar is a hidden gem in hotel Chelsea, you would never know this was inside when looking from the outside on the street. Really swanky and beautiful. The dirty martinis were delicious. I would for sure come back here. Great place for a date or to catch up with friends. read more

Lobby Bar - Inside - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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I love this bar but the waitress with short black hair is so rude. And this wasn't once, she is consistently rude and abrasive to customers. I live a block away and so does the person I was going on a date with and we both tried to avoid her while going there on a date. Everything else is great but she really made us feel uncomfortable and was very on edge with us nearly threw the check down on the table. I like to give people the benefit of the doubt thinking she could have had an off day but she is always like this. read more

You will only enjoy this bar if you are RICH. A martini is $30. The least expensive cocktail is $25. The wait staff have seriously cold attitudes. The place is noisy. And the crowd are very average. Sorta corporate types with expense accounts. It's honestly not as cool as you'd want it to be. Nice decor tho. But pushy wait staff who want to keep selling the drinks and if you ain't buying they kinda want you out of the seat. I wouldn't rush back. read more

i was really looking forward to visiting the Lobby Bar. even checked the cocktail menu in advance - pricey but inventive. i arrived about 15 minutes before my date. the maitre d's were warm, friendly and seated me in the middle lounge immediately. a server appeared at once. i decided to wait for my date before ordering. apparently, that behavior had the now omnipresent floor manager on high alert (the big guy alone at a table with a glass of water, nothing back, was clearly of concern.) he also rushed over to take my order which i explained again, i was holding off on, til... see above. my date arrived and was promptly seated with me in the still pretty much empty room. as we chatted (a first date, so lots of that) the server and floor manager maintained eye contact with the table. they conferred mid-room. and returned, again, this time in tandem. we ordered. this was really odd and off-putting behavior. did the manager suspect that i had snuck into his Lobby Bar to snag a free meal of ice water and the complementary corn nuts they bring to the table? that said, the rest of the staff was incredible. smiling, helpful, and yes, inviting. i had a five minute conversation with the doormen about the hotel itself. a really nice closing note to a very annoying- and sorry, but very expensive ($26) cocktail. last note: The Hotel Chelsea is a legendary, storied cornerstone of downtown NYC. the renovation has painted over, over-lit and generally exorcised all the character out of it. check please. read more

I very rarely write negative reviews because I think any place can have an off day, but we had such a negative experience at the bar at Hotel Chelsea that I'm motivated to write. We went to have an after-dinner drink and I was eager to check out the renovations. However, the host was harried and dismissive, the server was rude, and the environment was disorganized. It's beautifully designed, but no amount of history or art can make you forget such a lack of hospitality. We will not return. read more

What a lovely space, great atmosphere. The staff were great as well. I went on a Monday night and was sat immediately. Our waiter told us that on the weekends it gets very busy, so plan ahead. The drinks are on the expensive side but that's to be expected with a place like this. read more

Lobby Bar - Inside - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

A soon to be legendary lobby bar in a NYC legend. Yes, the Hotel Chelsea has been gentrified. The place where artists once swapped their art to pay their rent bills and where Sid and Nancy lived and died has a facelift and a new owner. Old tenants still live upstairs but netting has been installed in the stairwells just in case a rowdy guest throws down a TV or a bottle of bubbly in a rock star move. The good news is that you can get a Chateau Marmont artsy, palm tree-y vibe here in NYC without flying to LA. The Hotel Chelsea Lobby Bar has $24 (on average) drinks but don't let that stop you. They have a mouth watering burger, dripping with juicy caramelization and tender, skinny fries. They have a cozy back room with a small outdoor space where smokers can sneak in a puff of whatever. The lighting is LA/candlelight inspired and begging to star in your IG Story. The crowd is epically dressed and the staff could fill the next Wes Anderson movie. The best part? You can wander around The Shining inspired bar/dining room or sister bar/restaurant El Quijote next door and nobody bothers you. The staff (many with impressive mustaches) will even volunteer to take your snaps for you. Go here before the rich tourists descend and kill the relaxed West Coast vibe. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hotel_Chelsea read more

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this is a wonderful placfillled with history and stories I even played the upright Steinway piano ( 150 years old ) in the corridor. Valerie who is a host in the lobby bar was super kind Eres muy Amable Paul ( from London ) read more

The Hotel Chelsea has been gentrified. The good news is that the Lobby Bar is a very pleasant spot to have extremely expensive, well prepared cocktails. The crowd is handsome and interesting. It's a grown up place with prices for grown ups, either belonging or aspiring to belong to the 1%. We were three and we were promptly seated at a big sofa and two armchairs in the back room, which is chill and where you can have a stimulating conversation without screaming. I had a very good cocktail with Blanc de Blancs, yuzu and peach, served in a wine glass, which looked a little sad, even with the two little flowers floating on top. My friend had the special margarita, which had a kick of green chile and set her back like 30 bucks (!). My other friend had no complaints about her two vodka gimlets. For the price, they bring you a little bowl of nuts. The service is welcoming and polished, with a hint of New York sass. The french fries are the best I've had in years. A good place to feel like you're in New York. read more

Website not user friendly. Unable to access menu. Couldn't make a restaurant reservation, instead got transferred to hotel reservation.

It's lively, it's cool, it's hip. It's full of beautiful people. It's a beautiful bar. It's romantic. It's EXPENSIVE. Drinks are about $25. But, it's one of those special iconic places that makes the expense worth it. read more

The bar is beautiful, so chic esthetically. It takes you back in time you almost feel transported into France UNTIL you experience the "hosts" The first time I came I couldn't get over how rude the host was they couldn't be bother to any other than take you to a table. I gave them a pass as it was getting busy at 6pm. It's my second time here and both hosts are very rude, obnoxious and arrogant. It's as if I was coming to their bar that they actually own and asked for a kidney. It's old NY in the sense, they are super rude. The bartenders are lovely, so friendly, and hospitable which is what you expect from a elegant bar. The drinks were delicious. I keep letting ppl now the drinks are great but the service horrendous!!! Good luck on a long business because no one wants bad service at a high price read more

It's a nice chic place but while we were waiting for our table (a 25 min wait), we were about to get a drink at the bar, then the hostess came over to escort us out because they didn't want customers to hang around the bar area. Basically turned away customers who would spend $25 / cocktail. She told us to sit in the hallway in the lobby BUT they couldn't serve us drinks there. So, we were told to sit in the "hallway" on this one lonely bench which was not inviting. Kind of felt like we were getting detention from school. Then she said, you are welcome to get a drink at the restaurant next door. Pretty much told us to leave. I was wearing a Versace dress and we didn't exactly looked like homeless people. Then they never texted us for our table like they said they would. Needless to say, we will never go back and would not recommend this place to any of our friends. It's a shame because so many restaurants in the city don't make it. We dine out 4-6 times a week and honestly, service is EVERYTHING and what brings us back every time. We love Cipriani soho and Mr Chow because they always treat us like VIPs. This place needs some serious customer service 101. read more