So we decided to go next week! I'm taking the advice from you guys and we're going to the "Carnegie Club" on Saturday night. Should we make reservations now or just walk in?
Also, have you heard of a place called "Campbell Apartments" in Grand Central? How is it?

It's a neat and elegant little lounge. It's odd because sometimes it's quiet and pleasant and I love it, and at other times we've not entered because it was jam packed with crowds and very noisy. Apparently sometimes there are some large groups (like from a convention) there.

If you would like to see the show at the Carnegie club, I would make reservations, if you're just stopping in for drinks (as we do), then you won't need them.

The Campbell Apt. is definitely worth stopping by, if you can find it

A good alternative to the Campbell Apartment (if it's too crowded) is the Library Hotel. It's a boutique hotel located just a few blocks from GC. They have a fabulous lounge with a fireplace and great cocktails on the top floor of the hotel. Terrific views, too. Scroll all the way down to read info on Bookmarks Lounge.

http://www.libraryhotel.com/events-s...meetings.shtml

Thanks for the suggestions! There's supposed to be a band playing Sinatra songs that Saturday, so does that count as a show that needs to be booked?
I'll definitely look into the other suggested lounges too. There seems to be so many......
Would you still recommend a quick visit at the Carlysle hotel?

Yes, that's the show that needs to be booked, I believe there's a $30 cover plus 2 drink minimum.

Bemelman's Bar at the Carlyle is a classic, another fun bar is the Penn Top at the Peninsula Hotel, great views of Fifth Ave (if it's a nice day).

BTW, the Carnegie Club is a "cigar bar", one of the few left in the city!

You'll laugh at this question. But I wonder what the "dress code" is at this kind of lounge? Since we'll be coming in from the outside cold, I'll probably be wearing a nicer turtleneck. Would that be ok with a pair of nice slacks? Or is it warm enough to have a dressy blouse with three quarter sleeves on?

I've gone after work in nice pants/top and on the weekends in nice jeans w/a nice top. It's the kind of place you can go either way. My NY uniform of black pants w/a nice top does work everywhere though!

You've been very helpful. You're absolutely right. There's nothing "safer" than the black pants and a cute top. Although it's short sleeved top. I'm hoping they don't blast the air condition in there
Thanks for the other suggestions of lounges!!
Which one of the ones suggested here do you prefer, "owlwoman"?
(We're a married couple, 38 and 40.)

Love the Campbell Apartments--can get a little crowded, but it's worth checking out. Be forewarned--no running shoes allowed. After a day traipsing around the city we were denied entry once. Kind of embarrassing for New York natives, but it is what it is.

The Campbell Apartment and the Carnegie Club are both run by the same co.

It depends if you want a show or not and what's convenient. I've heard the Frank Sinatra show is very good and the lead singer sounds a lot like him. It's on my list to see one of these days.

They are both nice lounges, as is Bemelmans and I also like the King Cole Room at the St. Regis Hotel. All charge lots of money for cocktails.

If I just want to drink, then I hit a neighborhood place. If we have friends in from out of town, then we go to one of the above. The Flatiron Lounge is very cool too.

Anyway, the weather is cold now, but is supposed to warm up to the 40s this weekend. I hope the weather fairies are with you while you are here.

Thank you all for taking the time to respond! I've made reservations for the Frank Sinatra show and I'll let you know later how it was

I love this thread. I'm crazy about great bars and my SO is an occasional cigar smoker so I love to surprise him with an evening at the Carnegie Club. The website says there's live blues on Sunday night from 8 to 11. Is that the kind of thing I'd have to make a reservation for or can we just walk in?

I've always wanted to go to the King Cole Room too.