Bar
Village Vanguard
A tiny, wedge-shaped basement jazz club on Seventh Avenue South that has hosted the music's greats at the same address since 1935.
Bemelmans Bar
The Carlyle hotel's elegant piano bar, painted with whimsical murals by Madeline illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans, with nightly piano and late jazz.
At a glance
- Type
- Classic hotel piano bar
- Area
- Upper East Side, New York, United States
- Price
- $$$$ · Luxury
- Official site
- rosewoodhotels.com
Good to know
- Nightly piano
- Late-night jazz
- Historic murals
Why we recommend it
Bemelmans Bar, inside The Carlyle on the Upper East Side, is the quintessential old-school New York cocktail bar. Its walls are covered with murals of Central Park scenes by Ludwig Bemelmans, the illustrator of the Madeline children's books, and the low lighting, leather banquettes and gold-leaf ceiling set a glamorous tone.
A pianist plays nightly, with jazz later in the evening, and the cocktail list leans towards well-made classics such as martinis and Manhattans. Dress smartly and expect a queue at weekends, when it fills with locals and hotel guests. Arriving early in the evening is the easiest way to secure a seat.
Bemelmans Bar FAQs
Where is Bemelmans Bar?
Inside The Carlyle hotel at 35 East 76th Street on the Upper East Side.
Is there live music?
Yes — nightly piano and late-night jazz.