There’s no better end to a long day exploring the city than sitting down for a cocktail in one of New York City’s many bars and lounges. From the rooftop to the basement and the most exclusive to the down-to-earth, this list of seven cocktail bars could never claim to encompass all of New York, but it will give you several great options.

The Bar at Baccarat Hotels

The ceiling is lined with chandeliers and the champagne served in lead crystal flutes. Located across the street from the Museum of Modern Art in Midtown, it is self-consciously fancy, in either a showy or elegant kind of way, depending on your mood. If you show up on a weekday, the bar will be teeming with executives going for their after-work cocktail. Think of it as a good place to impress your rich grandparents (as long as they pay). And tell them to come prepared; a regular martini starts at $30, but if you’re feeling fancy, the “Crystal Elite” will run you $5,000. If spending that kind of money on something that will disappear within twenty minutes doesn’t sound appealing, Bergdorf Goodman around the corner has some lovely designer handbags for about the same price.

Ophelia Lounge

Gatsby would not look out of place among the decorations of this decadent rooftop lounge. Original 1928 arched glass window panels frame a view of the Queensboro Bridge, while the rich red and blue color palette inside complements a checkered tile floor. Ophelia is a Goldilocks kind of place – neither too loud nor too quiet, too pretentious, or too crowded. The cocktails, which will run you about $20 apiece, feature unique ingredients like cedar smoke and shiso. And if day drinking is in the cards, you can elevate your Sunday with a brunch of cocktails and a three-tiered tower laden with breakfast-y finger sandwiches.

Hudson Bar and Books

636 Hudson Street

The walls are floor-to-ceiling bookcases. The vibe is dark academia meets James Bond. This bar calls itself the “most refreshingly civilized place to meet,’ and patrons should be prepared to fulfill that legacy in erudite conversations with an intergenerational crowd. The cigars are pricy, and you can (and must) order the Ian Fleming original, the Vesper: Gin, Belvedere Vodka and Lillet. Shaken not stirred, of course.

The Clover Club

210 Smith Street

Both a neighborhood institution and a destination for out-of-towners, the Clover Club takes itself seriously without being obnoxious about it; there’s no dress code or scramble for impossible reservations. The exposed brick wall and ornate wood bar may not suggest it’s an extraordinary watering hole, but the Clover Club’s drinks are some of the best you will have — ever. It got a 90/100 on New York Magazine’s ranking scale, making the trip to Brooklyn well worth it.

Pebble Bar

67 W 49th Street

Pete Davidson and Nicholas Braun invested in the Pebble Bar, which opened in 2022, in an attempt to add a certain trendiness to the Rockefeller Center area. So far, they are succeeding. The four-story townhouse turned cocktail lounge caters to the kind of person who makes a reservation a month or so in advance. The cocktails will run you about $20, and if you ask your server about current favorites, every cent will be worth it. For a splurge, put in an order for the oysters, shrimp, scallop and caviar platter.

The Bar Room at the Modern at MoMA

9 W 53rd Street

There is no better place to stop for a drink after an afternoon of Mondrian and Matisse. MoMA’s Bar Room is the informal counterpart of its Michelin-starred restaurant, The Modern. The Bar Room serves the same seasonal, contemporary cooking a la carte. Or you can snag a spot at the 20-seat marble counter anytime after 11 am, and choose from reasonably-priced classic or modern cocktails like the Miso Mango — whisky, mango, miso and ginger. They also offer a solid selection of zero-proof cocktails and a lengthy wine list.

The Nines

9 Great Jones Street

Replete with red velvet, romantic lighting, a curved wooden bar and grand piano in the corner, this classy supper club requires you to come dressed to the nines. The effort, however, will be worth it whether you pop over for a drink or a glamorous European hotel-style supper. If you want to venture into the dining room, be sure to make a reservation. But you can walk in and try to grab a spot in the front lounge for drinks.

Story by Mitra Nourbakhsh

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London’s restaurant scene is vast and vibrant and impossible to truly encapsulate, but we at TABLE Magazine have concocted a list of five hidden gems for those looking to try some off-the-beaten path local favorites. These are neighborhood haunts and well-loved pubs that serve outstanding food nonetheless. Cookbook author and food writer Jenny Linford called London’s food scene “open-minded and cosmopolitan,” and these recommendations reflect that diversity. From the most traditional of British food to classic Indian, take your palate’s pick.

Regency Café

17-19 Regency St

 Classic London. That is what to expect from this old-school style “caff” that serves a British fry-up breakfast or lunch. The establishment, which opened in 1946, has stayed in the family ever since. You might recognize it as the filming location of several BBC series. But if not, just prepare yourself for a hearty bacon, egg, sausage and baked beans breakfast eaten in old fashioned diner booths with a backdrop of red checkered window dressing.

Roti King

 40 Doric Way, Euston Rd

This London restaurant’s name is deceivingly simple in its literalness, but it is also entirely accurate. Malaysian Chef and founder Sugen Gopal truly is the king of the soft, flaky, buttery, dense yet light (I could go on) roti. Normally a supplement to the main dishes, the roti here is the primary attraction. Th,ough the curries are certainly not bad either. Order the beef rengang for a spicy, creamy stew of beef and coconut milk. The Euston location doesn’t take reservations and always has a line. “Get there early and be prepared to wait,” says Linford. “It’s worth it!”

Tamil Prince

 115 Hemingford Rd

London faces no lack of so-called “Desi Pubs,” but Tamil Prince stands out for its creative, modern, and simply delicious take on one. A moodily dark teal interior and deep wood furniture perfectly complements its intensely seasoned food from the Indian state of Tamil Nadu. Sweet, pungent paneer butter masala and lentil-y dal makhani are served in silver pots with roti on the side. And in case you’re not convinced yet, the executive chef boasts the most impressive of credentials: he worked previously at Roti King, another one of the best restaurants in London.

Noble Rot

 51 Lamb’s Conduit St

 Noble Rot’s roast chicken with morels and vin jaune sauce – which costs about $100 to serve 2 or 3 — is chicken and rice at its best. It is an example of this restaurant’s specialty: elevating the most traditional and homely of cooking. The menu is a partner to its extensive wine list and contains nods to the building’s prior occupant and notorious lair of left-wing politicians, the Gay Hussar. Feast on a seasonal menu that includes lamb rump, pork and apricot terrine, and choux buns with chicken liver.

Panas Gurkha

28 Montpelier Vale

 Few dedicated reviews exist of this true hidden gem of a Nepalese and Indian restaurant, but it is a staple for those who live in Blackheath. The head chef was trained by a Michelin Star recipient, but the menu will not dent your wallet you with Michelin Prices. Try the popular lime and coriander tikka for less than $10, or feast on spicy, minty hiryali chicken for about $12. The prices, dishes and clientele will not disappoint.

Story by Mitra Nourbakhsh

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An ideal day exploring a new city must meet a few requirements. Coffee (and/or drinks) at an outdoor cafe; unique shopping; some kind of historical or cultural experience that is not too tedious but educational nonetheless; a good view; and about ten miles’ worth of walking. During my recent trip to Berlin, there was not one single day in which all the requirements were met, but over the week — with the sage advice of my Berliner uncle — I managed to create what I would call the perfect Berlin day.

The More Peaceful Side of Berlin

We begin with a not-too-early morning in Hotel Art Nouveau, a unique boutique hotel in the heart of the upscale Charlottenburg neighborhood. There is much to love about this hotel. It is the kind of place that has real keys instead of key cards and an “honesty bar” at your service each night. Located in a classic Berlin apartment building, you take an old-fashioned elevator complete with an enclosed mesh gate, wooden doors and pulley system to the top floor. The rooms are quite large and very clean. Practical, but nothing fancy. The hotel offers a decent breakfast spread, but as they charge you extra for it, I prefer to start the day with breakfast out. Coffee options nearby are endless, but we made our way around the corner to Restaurant Louis Laurent to sit among the potted greenery with a coffee and croissant or omelette.

Charlottenburg is the more peaceful side of Berlin. This is not the Doc-Marten wearing, edgy, Berghain East part of the city — though that is well worth a visit too. After a relaxed breakfast, we will make our way to Kurfurstendamm, a main street lined with luxury shopping. If Gucci is in your budget, the shopping might begin shortly into the walk, at the near end of Kurfurstendamm. For the rest of us, it will be a few blocks before the prices become more reasonable. The wide boulevard is a lovely walk, shopping or not. Follow it to the center of town.

Parts of History and Future

At this end, the streets are busier. When I was there, the day of a big Euro Cup game, football fans lined the streets, filled the cafes and partied in the plazas. And in the center of it all, the Kaiser Wilhelm Memorial Church stood half-destroyed, its dramatically broken spire standing against the blue sky as a memory of a time not long past. The bottom floor of the has been made into a war memorial. We enter for free and read about the building’s history.

By now, it is probably time for a rest and a drink. A short walk through Berlin’s largest park, the Tiergarten, brings us to outdoor biergarten, Cafe am Neuen See, located right on the lake. Rows of picnic table-style seating make the perfect backdrop for a rest and a Weissbeer. The cafe also offers coffee and food, including pizza and more traditional Flammkuchen. The environment is idyllic enough you that probably won’t want to leave, but once you’ve had enough people-watching, continue on through the Tiergarten to the Victory Column. I would recommend keeping your eyes straight ahead on the path if you don’t want to risk seeing a group of nude sunbathers.

Flea Markets and Licorice 

I cannot recommend the Victory Column viewpoint to those who are afraid of heights or stairs, but for everyone else it is a must-do. Descend into a tunnel to get across the busy boulevard and emerge at the center of the roundabout, right underneath the tower. Meant to commemorate Prussian’s territorial victories against the French, you can learn a potted history of the German state on the bottom floor of the tower. Take your time and prepare yourself for a climb up a seemingly endless set of spiral staircases, but the expansive view of Berlin spanning from east to west is well worth your effort.

It has been a long walk at this point. Half of our group gave up and took a Bolt car service  home, but for the persevering few with that ten mile goal, it is time to make our way back on foot. Walk again through the park, this time along Bremer Weg, until you find yourself before the Tiergarten S-Bahn stop. If it is late in the week and before about 4pm, there will be a bustling flea market between there and the Charlottenburg Tor gates.

Berlin is quite famous for its flea markets; this one abounds with old watches, kitchenware, mirrors, and the like. If a market filled, instead, with vintage leather jackets and football jerseys where the oldest patron appears to be no more than 30 sounds appealing, head on a Sunday to the RAW-Gelände flea market in East Berlin. It is an utterly different version of the city, and well worth taking a day to explore.

Pubs, Dinners, and a “Bathroom” Bar

For now, however, continue back toward the hotel and stop by Manufactum, an eclectic assortment of high-quality German-made goods. The journals, leather items, and strong licorice in tins were our highlights. Old-school Berlin food hall Rogacki is also on the way back and is well worth a stop, as recommended to me by food writer Meike Peters. It offers a delightful assortment of traditional smoked food, seafood, cured meats and a variety of local cheeses that can be eaten right there or taken away for a hotel snack.

If you feel like adventuring to a different part of the city, try dinner at Trio, a hip pub with traditional dishes also recommended by Peters. But Le Consulat, located directly across from the hotel, is as convenient as it is delicious. The refined but simple French bistrot serves fantastic foie gras, oysters and monkfish. Take your time at dinner, but beware: the night is not over yet. We head next to the elegant, dark bar at the Provocateur hotel and take a journey of cocktails through the twelve districts of the city. The Taihu — Grey Goose, Oolong, lemon and jasmine — comes highly recommended. The bartender gracefully kicked us out at closing with a free shot, which helped with this recommendation as well.

There’s one stop left for the most persistent among us. It is on the way back to the hotel, and impossible to miss: the bar called Klo, which means “bathroom” in German. The name is literal, and the place is a bit of a tourist gimmick, but a gimmick well worth giving in to. You will be sprayed with water, sit on toilets, and have drinks served in urinal flasks. What better Berlin day!

See the walk yourself on Google Maps.

Story by Mitra Nourbakhsh / Photography by Julia Solonina

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