NYC - Midtown East Restaurant/Bar suggestions
 

OK, I have to go to a sales conference at the Waldorf next week. I work in Soho and never venture uptown. I'm a dive bar kind of guy who prefers LES and the Village.

A group of coworkers coming into town wants to hang out at "a nice trendy place for entertainment on Sunday afternoon and evening........just a place that would be memorable where we can drink and listen to music." Outside would be a plus.

I'm at a loss for this request. I've checked CitySearch briefly which wasn't much help. I'm going to check a copy of Zagat's for ideas tonight, but I thought I would tap into Fodors for personal experiences.

Any and all help is much appreciated. Thanks.

Yikes puddy, tough one. Sunday? Drinks & music, outdoors? How about the 79th Street Boat Basin Cafe on the Hudson? Not sure about the music however. Luna Park in Union Square? Rooftop of Sutton Place (often a young crowd)? In addition to Citysearch, you might want to check www.sheckys.com

Good luck and let us know what you find.

The Rio Grande would fit the bill including outdoor space and you can watch the city go by.

The restaurant takes up the entire first floor of a condo building and the N. side is Texas and the S. is Mexico, GREAT drinks and munchies there as well as good food. The BEST margaritas there.

37th and 3rd Ave. Have a great time.

A wonderful place to have a drink is the rooftop terrace of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The views are amazing. From there, you've gotten excellent advice.

Sheckys.com... great idea. I've used that before and forgot all about it. Thanks, Gekko

That made me think of another good bar reference guide for the city... http://www.murphguide.com/

I agree with Rio Grande...

although i don't know if the music aspect will be satisfied, they do have outdoor seating/bar area, and after a few margaritas (read: only one or two) nobody will care if there's music.

NOTE: you may have one or two co-workers that don't show up on Monday :)

It will be hard to meet the music requirement in that neighborhood, especially on a Sunday. Nonetheless, I like the Divine Bar (51st b/t 2nd & 3rd) and Mica Bar next door. Mica bar has an outdoor patio in the back. Divine Bar has a great wine-by-the glass and beer selection and excellent tapas for munching.

P.S. I like the margaritas at Rio Grande, but do not, under any circumstances, eat the food. Shudder.

What about the Cafe St Barts right across the street from the Waldorf?? Not sure about music on Sunday but nice outdoor terrace.

The Metropolitan Cafe on 1st Ave 52-53 has a large outdoor garden. Not terribly trendy but good neighborhood place with popular brunch.