I recently came here for drinks with friends and it was such a vibe! Get reservations if you can as this spot can get quite busy. The ambiance is dark, moody, and perfect for a date night. Service was phenomenal. All of their drinks are based off of different cities/countries. My friends and I tried their drinks based on Japan, England, Spain, and Korea. They are all on the stronger side and each was so unique. I also tried their espresso martini and loved it. Would love to come back sometime! read more

The Portrait Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Located inside the Fifth Avenue Hotel, the Portrait Bar was such a cute place for drinks. We found this place on yelp spontaneously and decided to give it a try. We walked in without a reservation and had about a 30 minute wait. All the decor was really cute. The service was very polite, attentive, and helpful. Drinks were pricey but worth it. Me and my 2 friends did 2 rounds and tried each other's drinks. The flavors were unique and distinct. I really enjoyed that the drinks were inspired by different regions and that you could taste every single ingredient listed. The flavors were complex and elaborate and I appreciated that. The drinks were also strong so proceed with caution. They taste so good that you do not notice. The only thing that brought it down for me was unfortunately the other guests. Many of them were very loud for the space. A group of other folks had their phone flash on constantly for over 10 minutes, flashing directly at us while they took an abundance of photos. This was super distracting from our intimate conversations. Overall a good experience in a beautiful space. read more

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Easily grabbed a 5 PM reservation a few days ahead. My friend and I ordered: + Cebu island + Cartagena + Andalucia + Kolkata + French onion dip + chocolate brandied cherry ice cream sandwich Drinks were decent but nothing really wowed me. Loved the complimentary popcorn, and the onion dip was great. The ice cream sandwich was unfortunately bad (it was a very weird texture and had almost no flavor). We left most of it uneaten and after 20 mins it hadn't melted one bit which is sus. Service was great and room is beautiful. But if you actually care about the cocktails themselves, you can do better at this price point (see: Martiny's). 3.5 stars. read more

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Beautiful bar in the hotel. Pretty good drinks and interesting options. Good bartenders as well. Def on the expensive side. They also don't have a waitlist but they make reservations at the hostess table. read more

The Portrait Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Very cute interior. Comfy couches. Sexy vibes, great for a date night or a drink on a girls night out. Love the international theme of cocktails from different countries. Next time I would love to get some appetizers as well to pair with the drinks! read more

The Portrait Bar - Inside the bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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I visited Portrait Bar on a Tuesday night and it was such a vibe. 1st off the ambiance of the spot was not pretentious, actually cool and homey. I felt like I was in an old school country club We had a few drinks and apps here, El Barrio and Elmhurst- out of the 2 Elmhurst was definitely my favorite. It actually smelled and tasted like Elmhurst and the street vendors and food We tried the Tuna Tartare, Hot Dog Aú Pouvre, and French fries so yummy and the world famous popcorn :) Pricepoint $$$$$ Value for money $$$$$ Ambiance $$$$ Service $$$$$ read more

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Can't wait for the day this place inevitably closes. On previous visits I've had an acceptable experience but they're uppity and VERY judgemental. I've visited before but this time, the venue was ready to sit us until the hostess looked my date up and down and out of nowhere decided we weren't worthy of the place this night. Way too many great spots in NYC to bother with this one. Keep walking, in this city - there's always a better spot close enough to tolerate this. read more

Food: 4 Decor: 4 Service: 4 Came here for a solo dinner after booking a res a couple days earlier. Overall, solid spot and great vibes. Would return. Everything seasoned popcorn ~2/5. Everything seasoning was interesting, but popcorn was a tad stale. Would have preferred piping hot or caramelized. The Burger Dry-Aged Beef, Clothbound Cheddar, Special Sauce, Brioche Bun 27 ~4/5. Good. Had to order the famous burger, which was quite tasty. Bread was nicely toasted, and the dry aged beef was cooked well. Kochi -- Japan Suntory Toki, Cynar, Yuzu, Star Anise, Sarsaparilla A whisky sour with classic, comforting flavors ~4/5. Tasty whisky sour and nicely balanced with the yuzu adding sweetness and tartness. Service was good. read more

Such a cute place! Located in the back of the lobby of the 5th Avenue hotel, this place is so well decorated! Lovely vibe. The bartender, I believe her name was Beth, was an absolute angel. Had stories to tell, amazing energy, and just overall warm and welcoming. We stopped by for a night cap so we just had drinks, but they were so fun! They have their own menu of craft cocktails. Definitely a place for the vibe and Bev. Would recommend. read more

The Portrait Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Good, classy place for a cocktail with great ambience and good service at The Fifth Avenue Hotel. Enjoyed the complimentary popcorn, a good glass of Côtes du Rhône and the Portrait Burger. Burger was good though failed to supplant the Black Label at Minetta Tavern as my favorite in NYC (which also comes with fries, unlike here where you are charged extra though they are thicker, more like potato wedges). The burger did have a nice soft bun but was served closer to medium rather than medium rare as ordered which impacted my overall enjoyment of the flavor and scorecard. I would come back for a cocktail. read more

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Ideal girls night. Good food, greatttt drinks. Like yeah THAT is a cocktail. SOLID burger, not the best but I wouldn't be mad if someone said this was in their top 5. It + the vibe does something for me. Hot dog meh I don't like the presentation. LOVED THE CRISPY OYSTERS 9.5/10 id crush 2 of those and call it a day with a Caesar read more

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Portrait Bar has a cozy, vintage-modern feel with interesting portraits displayed throughout the walls that really add character to the space. I tried the Torino-Italy cocktail, which leaned on the bitter side at first, but after squeezing the orange garnish it balanced out nicely and was much more to my taste. The burger and fries were flavorful and juicy, and the house popcorn was a nice complimentary touch. read more

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This is such a great spot for date night! It feels special and unique without being pretentious. Most importantly, the drinks were fantastic! read more

The Portrait Bar - Tropical drink - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Exquisite cocktails in an upscale environment! Each of the seating areas are carefully thoughtout and the portraits and art in the room are stunning. This is a great date night spot. read more

The Portrait Bar - Martini - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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This is a really nice spot for an intimate date. The bar is beautiful, the lighting is sexy, the service is hospitable. The cocktails were yummy and the Comté Gougères blew my mind!!!! read more

I wish I discovered this place sooner. It was a little frustrating getting a reservation but was worth it. The ambience was chic with a nice looking crowd. The waiter was A+ and went above and beyond to make our experience great. We both ordered burgers and mocktails and they were delicious. read more

Cool vibes and better drinks. Went for a birthday drink - the cocktails are def a bit unique and have a few exotic flavors involved. Would def come back - RSVP recommended. read more

The Portrait Bar - Menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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My ideal cocktail bar experience. The menu slaps. I ordered the Cebu Island first which was exactly the kind of drink I love but done in a way I hadn't had before, which is huge for me. After that I spoke with the bartender, Chase, for a little while and I let him talk me into trying the Elmhurst, which turned out to be an excellent suggestion. The atmosphere of this place is great, I love the pictures all over the wall and the cozy feel, and the menu is great, but the guys behind the bar locked this as a five out of five for me. Good service, good conversation, good suggestions, and I got to learn a little bit about clarified cocktails. I should note I did also get the burger which was truly an exceptional burger. This place is a must and I WILL be back. read more

A beautifully decorated bar/restaurant located inside the 5th avenue hotel. Wonderful staff (waitress was just ok), smaller than you anticipate but feels cozy. The drinks were decent, the French onion dip is served with oversized chips which was good but nothing out of this world. Hot dogs were ok ( wouldn't try those again), the burger was delicious, cooked to my preference & was well balanced. The fries were a nice surprise not over cooked salted well & came accompanied by ketchup & a vinegary aioli. Although I enjoyed my meal and drinks, for a place that is a tough reservation to score & a little overpriced I expected the food to be a bit better. read more

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The Portrait Bar is a cocktail lounge inside the Fifth Avenue Hotel next to Cafe Carmellini. It is decorated with an array of small portraits lining the walls with couches and armchairs crammed together in a dimly lit drawing room. The place is a lot louder than I expected. The service is refined. The menu features whimsical travel-inspired cocktails with little connection to the places they are named after. The Kolkata, India drink piqued my interest because my family is from there but the drink was a weird attempt at making a mango lassi into a cocktail. It tasted like a piña colada. The dry aged burger was very tasty. The patty was cooked and seasoned well and the cheddar cheese added a salty umami flavor to the bite. read more

The Portrait Bar - Kolkata, India cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Great spot for a late night drink with cozy,cool vibes. I got the white cosmo mocktail and it was the best mocktail I think I've ever had!! It was made to perfection. I am glad I tried some of the food- the burger, French onion dip, fries and tuna tartare but when I go back I would opt for drinks and fries and just enjoy the atmosphere and the company. I liked that most of the seats were couches, but keep in mind it's more or a lounge than a bar depending where you are sat. Service was great! read more

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The vibes are immaculate. The menu is well intentioned but the location names of the cocktails do not really correspond to the ingredients. For example, peppercorn in the Cebu Phillipines drink and star anise in the Japanese drink is odd and not accurate. The best one was the Elmhurst. The bites are better. The tuna tatar and foie gras (mousse with strawberry) was great. Free popcorn with everything seasoning was a nice touch. read more

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I saw photos and decided that I must go, and I was not disappointed. A friend was visiting from out of state, and I need a bar/lounge to have a quick drink and some food, and we ended up here. We sat the bar, which was great, because we had the most attentive bartender/server. She was super lovely -- I think her name was Beth -- and checked in on us frequently. The food was also pretty delicious: I had the breaded chicken tenders with a little bit of spiciness. I'll probably be back to experience the lounge area, which was lovely as well. Very gorgeous space with just the right ambience and a great staff. read more

I wouldn't say the drinks are my absolute favorite (they are all on the stronger and heavier side, even the cebu cocktail which is clarified), but the vibes and ambiance were absolutely fantastic. Not too loud, comfortable space, easy to hear people -- you'd be surprised that this could be hard to come by in nyc. But the absolute star of the show was the burger!! Actually one of the best burgers O ever had. The bread was so soft and crispy, and the meat was extremely juicy and tender. And the side of the fresh pickle was chefs kiss. Service was also super friendly! They gave us lots of refills of the complimentary popcorn, which was the perfect snack to accompany our drinks. read more

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The Portrait Bar is one of the most beautiful spaces I've visited in NYC. The interior is stunning, with rich decor, elegant details, and an intimate atmosphere that feels both sophisticated and welcoming. The standout of the night was definitely the burger, which was outstanding. Perfectly cooked, incredibly flavorful, and easily one of the best burgers I've had in the city. Whether you're stopping in for cocktails or a bite to eat, The Portrait Bar is absolutely worth a visit for both the ambiance and the food. Highly recommend! read more

A super cute space for a private event with great bartenders and decor. The food is good and the servers are quick. I had a great time.

Terrible experience with the hostess. She said she put us on the waitlist but then took us off of it after 2 hours of waiting. Do not trust this place read more

Delicious drinks! The bar has two floors and therefore a lot of room. We went to the upstairs area which was much quieter. Cocktails of the bar are named after places around the World, and tasted great! Service was also strong across the night too. read more

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Really awesome place. Delicious food & cocktails, amazing vibes, great service. One of my new favorite spots read more

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Food was okay, ambiance was great. Service on the other hand not so much, our server Crystal G (that what it says on receipt) however we had a tall African-American male server who was completely rude and extremely passive aggressive. At the end of the dinner we had asked for dessert and he said he was going to ask if he could get us dessert. I watched him go to go back and print out our receipt and came back to us and told us that he could not get us our dessert. Extremely unprofessional my group will not be back, and we will be posting this review on beli and other platforms as well. Extremely disappointing service compared to food and ambience. Please understand my waiters actions does NOT reflect the rest of the establishment as everyone else was welcoming and respectful. read more

Loved the place and the hotel that it's at.Drinks were all good and appreciate Connor's drink making skillsExcellent service.You must have reservations because saw some people being turned away. read more

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Came here for Amex week with my friend. We got seated very promptly and the main waiter who walked us to our table and took our order was great. The bar is super classy looking and the Amex Appleton was good. But the person who brought the cocktail to the table sprayed it while it was by the table and the whole thing went directly into my face and some into my eyes. That's a huge no no and for a nice place like this they should know how the air blows in the room and be cognizant of it when spraying the drink. The fried oysters that came out next were pretty tasteless in my opinion no real flavor profile what so ever. The tuna tartare tacos on the other hand tasted great. Overall it was a nice play to hang in if my eye wasn't stinging. read more

The Portrait Bar - Tuna tartare - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Oh how I cannot wait for the next time I can enjoy The Portrait Bar. The cocktail menu is unique yet approachable. The team, especially Aaron is so hospitable, have a question, they can answer, need a recommendation, they have two. I will say, make a reservation even for the bar, you are not about to stroll up in there and grab a seat without a wait. I ordered the burger and was not disappointed. The French onion dip was great too and the popcorn was a fun addition. If you can check it out, I highly recommend you do! read more

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Oh my. Where should I start. As soon as I walked in - I was greeted by name (even though it's only my second time here!). Sitting at the bar was amazing! Beth (I believe) is a great bartender and her cocktails are top notch. Well balanced, nothing extra - so perfect! Food was great too and atmosphere was fantastic! Manager was checking how we doing during visit. Overall one of the best experiences I've had for a while. Thank you read more

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I've gone here a few times and have sat in various parts of the establishment from the main room , bar and this last time on the 2nd floor , all of which is amazing and just really depends on what you're in the mood for . The main room is my favorite mostly because of larger space ( compared to the 2nd floor - perfect if you're looking for a More intimate setting , more quiet) , decor and proximity to the bar . I also enjoy sitting at the bar to watch the mixologist concoct amazing cocktails . The menu was well thought of and executed . The popcorn served is divine , can't get enough of that everything bagel seasoning ! While this time around , I came for a nightcap , I must say I was a bit surprised there was availability , I've gone here for small bites which I recall correctly as it's been months ago were good but as they're small bites , it doesn't replace a meal . Afterall this is a cocktail bar , one that I will always come back to . Service from the hosts , mixologists and staff have always been friendly, attentive and efficient which nowadays is hard to find ( especially in nyc ). read more

The Portrait Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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I've done the Carrie Bradshaw pilgrimage, forty blocks in $400 shoes, and that was back when I still pretended $400 was a splurge. I question if that statement even holds weight anymore; I haven't bought a pair of shoes under $500 since Obama was in office. I tell you this so that when I say I believe in form over function, I mean it like scripture. Which is why, when Tyler suggested The Portrait Bar, "it's low-key, kinda artistic" I should've known I was walking into an exhibit titled Men Who Think Framed Prints and a loafers collection count as a personality. He arrived in a quilted "shacket," the kind of garment invented by marketing teams for men who think outerwear can hide man boobs. Un-Tuckit, maybe J.Crew, either way, a brand for men with six-figure 401(k)s and zero sense of craftsmanship. He claimed to be "venture, early-stage consumer tech," which sounded less like a career and more like a hobby funded by Daddy, or maybe Mommy, depending on who set up the trust. He ordered a mezcal Negroni, neat, because "ice dulls nuance." Which was funny, because he seemed to grasp dilution there but, judging from his firm's Pitchbook I skimmed while pretending to fix my lipstick, had absolutely no idea how pro-rata worked. I ordered a martini--cold, perfect, aspirational, like going on vacation with Gwyneth. The bar is stunning: dim, lacquered, the kind of place that makes you lower your voice and raise your standards. But Tyler treated it like a WeWork with velvet chairs, talking about "investing in community" while trying not to blink too hard at the caviar prices. I pretended to order the caviar when the waiter came by for round two--Tyler's face twitched like he'd just watched his unicorn portfolio company get crammed down masterfully by KKR Growth. That alone was worth the price of admission. Even if I'm having a terrible time, I usually order a second, if I don't think I or my clothes are in danger of a stain, to ego or cashmere. He offered to "split it," which was rich coming from a man whose fund did even clear the hurdle. Then he asked if I wanted to "check out the new exhibit uptown," like I'd spend another hour listening to someone who thinks a Patagonia vest and a podcast count as intellectual property. I smiled, finished my martini, and reminded myself, Hermès doesn't take TVPI as payment. You can't buy a Kelly with hypothetical carry, and I'm not in the business of mentoring men who treat self-awareness like an unfunded sidecar. So I kissed him on the cheek (charitable write-off) and left him there, illiquid, delusional, and one market cycle away from moving back to his parents' guesthouse in Greenwich. As I walked out onto the street, I thought maybe Carrie was right about one thing: I needed a post economic man. The Portrait Bar: 5/5 for lighting that forgives, martinis that make even crypto talk as palatable as Yellow Rose queso, and bartenders who understand the art of a clean exit. Tyler: 0/5--dilutive, depreciating, and proof that venture, like love, is a game of outliers. read more

Ambience: 5/5 Drinks: 4/5 Service: 4.5/5 Good: 4/5 The Portrait Bar is located inside the Fifth Avenue hotel. It is an upscale pricey bar. I had a reservation to sit at the bar. The bar does not have many seats. The drink menu is interesting. I had the Cebu Island on the recommendation of the bartender. I had the French onion dip which was pretty good. There's not a whole lot of vegetarian or vegan food options here. They serve popcorn with clarified butter free of charge which I enjoyed. The bartender was good. The rest of the staff seemed disorganized. I would come back to try another kind of drink. While this is not my favorite bar on 28th street (Little Ned is my favorite), this one isn't bad. I highly recommend a reservation as every table and bar seat was filled early on in the evening. Access to the bar and restrooms are ADA accessible. read more

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The Portrait Bar. An experience. One of the best bars I've ever enjoyed, comparable to the feeling I got when I visited Hemingways in Paris. It's that good. Get some of that popcorn they offer, it's amazing. And then just sit back and enjoy the vibe. read more

The Portrait Bar - Popcorn is so good! And the drinks were VERY well done - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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I am giving this place five stars because it was a good experience, however the hotdog is a little overhyped. I came here because their hot dog au poivre was named New York's best hotdog. Served with crispy potatoes (which I couldn't taste) and pickled onions (also couldn't really taste)--it was a nice snack for sure. I did enjoy the way the dog was composed; made it an easy bite or two, without mess. Price: 20 dollars for two dog halves that equal a whole. I also had the caesar deviled eggs, topped with sardine. I probably enjoyed these more than the hotdog. More flavor, great seasoning, salty and savory. Price: 14 dollars for three. And I had the London fries, served with malt vinegar aioli. Crispy, hot, meaty chips. I enjoyed them. Price: 16. Other parlor snacks include: stuffed olives, a prawn cocktail, foie gras tartine (not a fan of foie gras), French onion dip, caviar, tuna tartare, oysters, and "the burger," made with dry-aged beef, clothbound cheddar, special sauce, on a brioche bun. They also have a craft cocktail program. Again, I enjoyed the cocktails, but felt they were overhyped and not fantastically better than many other tasty cocktails I've had across the city. I had the Torino--Italy (herbaceous, sweet, bitter), made with Campari, cardamaro, Antica, Torino, Saba, and fig leaf soda. Also had the Oaxaca Mexico (not a margarita for margarita drinkers), made with Oaxacan gin, empirical ayuuk, contralto aperitif, lime sherbet, hibiscus, and chocolate. Not too chocolate heavy. And the Cebu Island--Phillipines (clarified cocktail with silky tropical notes), made with rum, scotch, coconut, calamansi, bay leaf, peppercorn, and midori. The cocktails here are admittedly complex. Multiple ingredients and a variable flavor profile. Various gins, scotches, fruits (cucumber, blackberry), even ear grey tea, English milk-punch gin, yuzu, cynar, sarsaparilla, cherry bark, and more. Service was reserved, but attentive and on the spot. Inside the 5th avenue hotel, with elegant and beautiful fixtures, perfect for instagram. I am glad I tried this place, but probably wouldn't go back. read more

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