Ok ok gas cost me about 5 bucks and home is paid for. I guess I had more money, because in my life I didn't spend my money on overpriced items just because a "legendary" tag was attached to it. I have been to NY and seem some incredible views for alot less. So Frank is right I guess, Beware.

Billy,

Anyone who buys (Crown) Royal and mixes it with 7-up really knows how to drink.

Mr. Bartender

Hey Bubba! You sure you weren't mixing that Crown with Mountain Dew? I'd bet so!

In response to Billy...my "view" at home consists of the sun setting over the ocean with a bottle of decent Merlot.

So, yes, it was a nice change to have a revolving view of Times Square over some pricey drinks.

No view is worth $46 and two drinks. It's the principle of the matter. I don't think I could even ENJOY the view knowing what the bill's going to be like. I'll take one of the local bars anyday.

I'm with Sam and Billy on this one. That is a ridiculous price for two drinks, unless the place serving them has managed to reuinte ALL the Beatles and the concert is included!!

I had breakfast at the rainbow room back in the late 80's when it opened. I think it was 50 (a lot time)for two and there was hair in our sugar!!! When we complained the waiter proceeded to remove the hair and give us back the sugar. RIGHT IN FRONT OF US!!! We requested a new container. I would never consider the rainbow room high end after that experience!

This may not be as pricey as it seems. Let's look a little closer:

$46 for 2 drinks, including tax and tip.
Let's say Frank's cheap and left 15% -
$46 - 15% = $40.
Tax in NYC is 8.25% -
$40 - 8.25% = $36.95.
That's $18 per drink, but Frank says further down that drinks start at $17.

That's an awful lot of money to look at the Empire State Building.

well, here's my 2 cents on this....My wife are in the city quite often for dinners or drinks and we were there last Wednesday night at the Rainbow Grille...we had 2 vodka gimlets, the proscuitto/melon platter and a assorted cheese platter along with a bottle of wine, total cost with tip was $205.00...did it see like alot and could we have gone somewhere else and had a complete dinner for the money, yes....but we were there from 5pm til 7;30... we saw the day turn into night and the lights of the big city turn on...and although we work in the city and see it often....that night for the 2 of us it was still a special site....there aren't too many places in the world to experience that in my opinion.......would I go there every night for drinks, no....couldn't afford to....but it was a treat....and we like ocean and mountain views too, somedays.......

Robert

Frank, you did say you had a 'great drink, great view.' The view from the Rainbow Room may be free but the rent in that building isn't.

Granted, $46 is a bit high for two drinks but you don't mention what kind of drinks you had. The average price of a cosmo or apple martini is $12 in just about any run of the mill cocktail lounge. There will always be numbers comparisons but you did go to the legendary Rainbow Room. You can eat a burger at McDonald's or one at the 21 Club - which do you think is going to be better?

It's like comparing Radio City Music Hall to an ordinary theater. Just no comparison. You pay for ambiance and the experience. It's not an everyday occasion. I blow $46 bucks just walking around Manhattan - no glamorous skyscraper view!

This is why there should be some "truth in pricing" for restaurants & bars.

I won't say Rainbow charged too much, just that potential customers should know what they're getting themselves into when entering a place. Whether you can or can't afford it, or are willing to spend that much even if you can't afford it - are all things the public should be able to decide on before sitting down & ordering. A business does itself no favors by surprising a customer with a check they can't afford. Better those who can't (or won't) turn around as soon as they see the prices.

I'd like to thank all of you cheap asses for not wanting to go to The Rainbow Room for drinks. It just leaves more space for me.

I can see paying $46 for two meals or even more in some places provided the food is excellent, but two drinks is out of my price range. However, assuming we all work hard to earn our money, we should have every right to spend it the way we choose. People think I'm wasting my money traveling and occasionally eating at really nice restaurants, however I do not. It's all what is important to you in life and what you wish to spend your hard earned money on. I also donate to my local humane society and people think I'm nuts for wasting my money on the poor homeless animals, but it makes me feel like I'm doing something good. Just my two cents.

Tia

P.S. Been to NY and have gotten spectacular views w/o spending ANY money!! No one should miss experiencing that wonderful city! What a neat place to call home!

Tia, where did you get your spectacular views for no money? Brooklyn Bridge and Staten Island Ferry don't count. That's too easy.

Wow. I do not understand how this guys comment turned into a "brag about all your money" session.
Anyway, is there anywhere in NYC where I can sit with my two daughters and enjoy a drink and a view of the city without spending more than 20.00? I will be coming in April. I appreciate the comment about the Rainbow Room. I will definetly stay away.
Thanks in advance.

I'm being serious about this: Take the Staten Island Ferry (which is free) and buy a beverage on the boat. You'll get a great view and 3 drinks will clock in right around $20.

(Hopefully they have a snack bar on the boat.)

Frank:

Thanks for the heads up on the price.

Others:

I don't feel like Frank was bragging about spending so much, just alerting others to the cost. I know I have sometimes thought about what it might be like to get a drink up there. Now I know that I will never do that. Just not worth it to me. But that doesn't mean people who decide to spend their money that way are stupid.

There are people who think the way I spend my time and money are a waste, but it's MY time and money. Some people have more money than we do, and we shouldn't judge them for the ways they spend it.

In general, I think drinks in New York are expensive anyway. Most regular bars I've been in charge like $7 for a gin & tonic. Seems steep to me, but if I don't want to spend that kind of money, I have a choice. (And yes, I'm sure there are many bars where you can get cheaper drinks, but this is just my experience and the places I've been).

We paid about the same for our 2 drinks there as well. Ditto for the rooftop bar at the Peninsula hotel.

Some places are just very expensive and that includes The Rainbow Room, St. Regis, The Bull and whatever at the Waldorf=Astoria. I just don't care to sit in Fridays with a beer because I'd rather be sipping champagne at the top of Rockefeller Center.

Nobody's charging what they used to in the old days, the equation was "multiply your cost by 3". Nowadays everyone's charging whatever people are stupid enough to pay.

Like $9 for a movie ticket, $4.50 for popcorn and $3.50 for a coke. That's $17 for a movie folks, $68 for a family of four. You can buy the DVD in 6 weeks for $17.95

And $60 for cable tv, that's a real bargain.

And all of a sudden every kid in town needs a cellphone. $50 bucks a month if they don't make too many calls.

Everybody's got money to burn these days but boy are they in for a rude awakening just down the line.