Cool, but fairly subdued, bars and lounges?
 

I have been reading all the previous posts on nightlife on this board, and had previously asked for recommendations for upscale, swanky lounges minus the attitude and velvet rope. I got some great answers, but then the plans changed and we need help.

My friend's mom, who loves NYC, has decided to come along with us....which is fine with me, as she is a fun lady! I know she will be up for going out to some nice lounges with us for martinis or wine. Out of respect for her, I'd like to have some bars/lounges in mind where she would feel comfortable...in other words, no huge cover charge, no bouncers, busy but not packed, a place to sit, etc. Do such places exist?? Anyone with any ideas? (We will be there on a Saturday and Sunday night...so any advice on places that will be open very late both nights would be much appreciated.)

The revolving lounge at the top of the Marriott Marquis in Times square.

I would recommend against the View - music is too loud.

Gaby's at the Sofitel is nice. PenTop at the Peninsula is nice, too.

These are a few of my favorites; Bull&Bear (Waldorf Astoria), The Oak Bar (Plaza Hotel), Rainbow Room, King Cole Bar (St. Regis), Bemelmans Bar (Carlyle Hotel), and Cafe Pierre (Pierre Hotel). Not cheap but all are wonderful and the views at the Rainbow Room can't be beat.

I prefer the Broadway Bar at the Marriott Marquis that overlooks Times Square. On the 8th floor. I've always been able to get a window table. There's usually a piano player. It has great martinis too.

But its a hotel bar so its full of tourists. Not likely that many NYCers go there.

Last Sunday at 430pm there was a line waiting to get into the Oak Bar. I was kind of surprised to see that.

Are you looking for classic/safe/boring, or somewhat hip and therefore more crowded & loud?

All of the above suggestions fall under the first category (particularly the hotel bars), which is fine if that's what you want.

If you'd prefer the latter and think Friend's Mom can handle it, you might try Pravda, the subterranean Russian martini bar on Lafayette just south of Houston. Call ahead and reserve a "quiet" table.

As a general rule, the earlier your party arrives, the less crowded and loud the places will be.

On the Upper East Side, Auction House would be a solid option. The Victorian atmosphere, complete with chandeliers, is more downtown than UES, as is the crowd.

Despite being located in a hotel, the Church Lounge in the Tribeca Grand is tres cool, not to mention monumental in scale.

Visit www.sheckys.com for locations and descriptions.

Enjoy!

Town at the Chambers Hotel, the bar at the Shoreham Hotel and Thom at the 60 Thompson Hotel.

Ruby Lounge on 2nd between Avenue A and B and Suba in the LES. Also the bar at the Soho Grand. Not completely quiet, but swanky and fun.

Thanks so much everyone for all your help....I think we are definitely looking for a chic and hip environment, without the place being obnoxious and standing room only, if that makes sense.

Keep the ideas coming...LOL

By the way, Gekko, as a side question...you mentioned reserving tables at Pravda....which is a great idea. In order to do so there, do you have to go with bottle service? Or can you just reserve a table and order individual drinks/food? Also have you ever been there on a Saturday late (say after 1:00 a.m.) or on a Sunday night? We are seeing a show Saturday night and then have dinner reservations afterward...so it'd be pretty late on Saturday by the time we got there.

Also, Gekko, I have heard people mention Twist Lounge, People, and Link? Any comments on those?

Has the Cambell Apartment (I think that's that gorgeous little bar's name) reopened in Grand Central Station? What a great place.

Elizabeth27, bottle service is not required at Pravda. Just call a few hours in advance and ask for a table.

Coincidentally, I was at Pravda on Saturday well past 1am, and it was jam-packed with a line outside (when I arrived at 11pm). It was still very crowded past 1am. I hadn't reserved a table, so I'm not sure if I would have skipped the line with a reservation or not. I don't recall ever being there on a Sunday.

Twist is a hotel bar in an area of town I avoid (W. 50's somewhere). I've never been and don't plan to go. Doesn't mean it isn't worthy, but it just ain't my area.

People is a new spot on the Lower East Side, my favorite drinking neighborhood. Good for you & your friend, too much for Friend's Mom in my opinion.

Link, just east of Union Square, is great as well, but I'd put it in the same category as People. Probably too much.

Of course, if you go early (before 10pm on weekends), both People & Link would be good choices if you want to see 'em.

Good luck & Enjoy!

Campbell's Apartment -- what a great idea! Perfect for your friend's mom since it's a cool location, interesting history and not a hotel bar.

Another good choice is Cipriani's on the balcony at Grand Central or even the Oyster Bar. None of these are "hip" in the sense of only cool insiders know about them, but they're all great places for a drink and people watching.

I would try the bar at the Algonquin Hotel if you're going to be near the theater district. You can also try the Russian Vodka Room, though you should be forwarned that those cosmos they serve there are deceptively strong. I had a bad experience at Pravda where a group of us made reservations and then were rudely told when we got there that the reservation was for the bar area only. I've never heard of anyone ever having to reserve a bar stool...

Whatever you do, DON'T attempt to have a drink at the W hotel in Union Square, it seems like half of New York tries to do that; we stayed there recently and couldn't believe how busy it was on friday night.......

Bubble Lounge on W.Broadway in Tribeca is also nice. I believe you can reserve tables there, not sure about the bottle fee if there is one.