lola618

I would like to have a drink at both bars, but if I can only fit one in, which would you suggest?

My understanding is that the Ritz is more classic and Athenee is more modern and young. Is this correct?

chevre

How old are you? Do you want modern and young? or more traditional? You probably know that the Athenee is the hotel in the last two episodes of "Sex and the City". Why not step into both and decide when you get there?

Underhill

Apparently the Ritz makes it difficult for non-residents to use the bar. Some people have been denied entrance, judging from posts here.

danon

years ago, a few of us went to the Ritz bar and were not made to feel
very welcomed.
But... it may have changed.

lola618

I am 39. I think I may just find a way to do both, but I'd like to try to find out why people were turned away from the Ritz.

My favorite bar in NYC is the Campbell Apt. in Grand Central, which has a kind of speakeasy era vibe.

janisj

I've been to the Ritz bar twice (last time about 18 months ago) and was not denied entry nor made to feel uncomfortable.

I'd try to hit both - plus some of the other top end hotel bars if you have the time.

wren

We haven't been to the Plaza Athenee, but we did go to the
Ritz for a drink. A French friend treated us to champagne there a fews years ago and we loved it! I have no idea if we would not have been comfortable had henot been there, though.

oakglen

"Modern and young" does not describe the clientele at either spot. Costes will give you that; wear lots of black with some "attitude". If you chose the Ritz, check out the Meurice bar on your way; it's our favorite. Prices at all of them will be roughly double that of NYC.

janisj

I agree - my #1 would be the Meurice. But maybe more for sentimental reasons. I try to stop in there every time I'm in Paris.

nytraveler

You may find that those who were not made to feel welcome were dressed very casually for touring during the day.

Both bars are in upscale hotels, not young and trendy, much more traditional - and appreciate proper attire and attitude. (Ordering fluffy fruity drinks with little umbrellas won;t make you very popular.)

lola618

I know they'll be a bit expensive. I am used to paying $15 for a martini, but from what I've read, it will be more than that at these places.

Thank you for the tips on Costes and Meurices. I generally wear black (NYC uniform ), so that's not a problem.

Croque_Madame

Checkout September 2008 Gourmet magazine: Paris, Collector's Edition on sale now. Includes an article entitled "We'll Always Have Cocktails" which is a kind of trip report about the Ritz, Meurice, Plaza Athenee, Crillon, Bristol, and Raphael hotel bars. Includes detailed comparisons, photo's, addresses and phone numbers.

I liked this useful bit: "Many palace bars open at six, but the humanitarian Meurice starts serving at noon. I showed up wilted one afternoon after..."

stanleys

Iced tea at the Ritz is $18.

Ritz requires you look like you belong in order to get into the building. They don't want tourists walking around gazing. Sometimes the doorman may ask your room number.

Plaza Athenee is less imposing.

Croque_Madame

Oh, and thanks to Cigalechanta who first mentioned this issue of the magazine. "Merci beaucoup, Mimi!"

gracejoan3

I like light lunches in the nice hotel bars..very fond of Le Meurice.

The Ritz does have a dress code, whether announced or un-announced. You could be turned away with the "guests only" if not considered presentable. I have stopped by on a cold winter morning for coffee..graciously welcomed me. I have more recently communicated with them about which bars serve light lunches. They have sent me the menus for lunch, tea etc. and have welcomed my visit..suggesting a call to be certain of a table. I will be going there in Sept. along with the Bristol, Crillon, Raphael and Le Meurice, of course. I usually have lunch at the Crillon's l'Obelisque restaurant on each trip to Paris. A spot that I just happen to like.
Enjoy..........

nytraveler

In more upscale places in NYC martinis are $15 and up - often way up. The places you're talking about in Paris - given the poor showing of the dollar and european tradition of high taxes on hard liquor will more likely be in the $30 range. (But I don;t drink martiins - and haven;t been to Paris in 2 years - so this is extrapolation.)

gruezi

I've been to both and no problem being served - we were dressed a bit.

Costes - black not necessary at all esp. in summer, but do show lots of leg and cleavage and wear the very highest heels you've got. This is the place to go for very trendy and young. Well, the women are young. Some of their dates were less so Reserve a table looking into the courtyard.

Also, George V - 4 Seasons has some good people watching as well. Esp on Friday nights. No worries about getting in there either.

Drinks will set you back a small fortune, but you're not paying for the drink per se are you?

gruezi

lola618

Cleavage and legs - Gotcha! I actually wouldn't go to either place without being "dressed".

Thank you for all the suggestions and input! And you're right, it's not about the drink, it's about the experience.

cigalechanta

For historical reasons I picked the Ritz and was not turned away. But my favorite visit there one year was to lunch on the beautiful terrace.

Croque madame! I haven't seen you in a long while?

Croque_Madame

Hi, Mimi! What a good memory you have! I'm delighted that a lady with such an abundance of friends remembers one from the past.

Actuallly, on my last trip to Paris I conked out after climbing many Metro steps laden with shopping bags hanging "like beluga whales" from my arms. What I attributed to an extravagance of shopping turned out to be a slight stroke, diagnosed after I returned home. In the year after that, multiple lupus flares left me with cerebral vasculitis. (Mom always said I was a hot-head, now I literally am one.)

It's actually a funny situation. In the middle of a spoken sentence, some weird unrelated word pops out among a string of normal words. Listeners get this puzzled look on their face like, did I hear that or what?

I live in fear that one day I will say something truly dreadful. OK, not really. I've sort of been dreadful all along, just secretly dreadful.