Bars near the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Chill out with a cocktail or beer at these bars near the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
The Metropolitan Museum of Art Roof Garden Café and Martini Bar
- Price band: 2/4
Perched on top of one of the world's finest museums is one of the city's finest vantage points—from both a sight and cultural perspective. During the warm months, vistors can sip a beverage while taking in spectacular views of Central park, with the city's tony skyline beyond. Vying for the vista's
- 1000 Fifth Ave, at 82nd St
Bemelmans Bar
- Price band: 4/4
Choice acts keep New York’s most dapper nightspot on the map, while the steep cover charge and white-jacketed service makes sure riffraff doesn’t scuff up the bar’s most valued draw: original Ludwig Bemelmans murals. Mixologist Brian Van Flandern’s spiffy (and pricey) potions preserve the bar’s
- The Carlyle, 35 E 76th St, at Madison Ave, 10021
Café Carlyle (in the Carlyle Hotel)
- Rated as: 4/5
- Price band: 4/4
Dinner, drinks and a show in this glittering room can feel like an evening that only an oil sheik could afford, but commit to it: With its airy murals by Marcel Vertes, this elegant spot in the Carlyle Hotel is the epitome of New York class, attracting such top-level singers as Elaine Stritch,
- 35 E 76th St, at Madison Ave
Bemelmans Bar (at the Carlyle Hotel)
- Price band: 2/4
Swathed in whimsical murals by Ludwig Bemelmans, this intimate Carlyle Hotel bar is the epitome of classic Upper East Side elegance and chic. A live pianist plays Great American Songbook standards every night.
- 35 E 76th St, at Madison Ave
Bar Pleiades
- Price band: 4/4
- Critics choice
The luxe setting and monied crowd at Daniel Boulud’s Deco beauty might seem a little stiff—but barkeep Cameron Bogue’s drinks are so delicious and exquisitely executed, you won’t mind sharing your banquette with a suit. A sloe gin fizz was a stunner, combining sloe gin with lemon juice and homemade
- The Surrey, 20 E 76th St, between Fifth and Madison Aves
The Gael Pub
- Price band: 2/4
Of the gazillion insipid Gaelic spots around here, this one is tops because of the better-than-average beer list and Tuesday-night trivia.
- 1465 Third Ave, between 82nd and 83rd Sts
Taste Restaurant and Wine Bar
- Price band: 2/4
Wine bars are proliferating, but Eli Zabar’s has an edge: If you like what you’re sipping, you can walk into his adjacent wine store and buy a bottle to take home. Of the 75 reasonably priced bottles from across the globe, 25 are offered by the glass. The restaurant also abuts Eli’s gourmet food
- 1411 Third Ave, at 80th St
Entre Nous
- Price band: 4/4
The owners of Orsay are behind this late-night boîte upstairs. The 75-seat bar and lounge—featuring chocolate-brown banquettes, mahogany-wood paneling and votive lighting—offers standard-issue beers (Coors, Corona) and cocktails (lychee martinis and the like). Entre Nous shares a kitchen with the
- 1057 Lexington Ave, at 75th St, 10021
Trinity Pub
- Price band: 1/4
Friendly barkeeps will ask your name (and remember it the next time you drop by) at this pocket-size Irish pub, where one of the city’s creamiest pints of Guinness is served at the proper temperature in a tulip glass. The brick-walled space fills up quickly, but the Upper East Side frat-pack
- 229 E 84th St, between Second and Third Aves
Brandy’s Piano Bar
- Price band: 2/4
If a beer-soaked watering hole doesn’t relax you after a long week at the office, this UES piano bar just might. The exuberant musician on the creaky upright bangs out favorites ranging from Bette Midler to Les Miz, while the weathered cocktail waitress darts between the bar and cramped tables.
- 235 E 84th St, between Second and Third Aves, 10028
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