Bemelmans Bar
Type: Bar, Hotel Bar, Live Music, Lounge
10Best Says
Named after a famous author of children's literature, this piano bar in the Carlyle Hotel offers a luxurious reprieve on the Upper East Side. The spot bills itself as a piece of "Old New York," but... Read More
Named after a famous author of children's literature, this piano bar in the Carlyle Hotel offers a luxurious reprieve on the Upper East Side. The spot bills itself as a piece of "Old New York," but the author's murals from stories like the classic, "Madeline," balance out the dark, heavy wood and atmosphere. Piano jazz is played here nightly from 5:30 PM, and patrons include everyone from mature neighbors to politicians and movie stars. Art lovers will also appreciate that the large-scale murals in the hotel bar are the only surviving Bemelmans' work that's still open to the public. Indeed, this place ranks among the city's classic piano bar joints where you can enjoy a good drink, terrific company, and great music in relative peace.
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Hours:
- Sun-Mon: Noon-12:30am
- Tue-Thu: Noon-1am
- Fri-Sat: Noon-1:30am
Admissions:
- Free - $25; Cover Charge Applies After: 9 PM
EXPERT TIPS BY:
Andrea Wien
New York Local Expert
- Piano Bars: "After 9PM or 9:30PM, you'll face a cover - $25 per person for a table and $15 per person at the bar."
- Hotel Bars: "Because there's often a show, you may face a cover at the door."
- Best for Piano Bars Because: As far as piano bars go, there's nowhere that does classiness quite like this.
- Best for Hotel Bars Because: Bemelmans Bar is charmingly whimsical and all-grown up at the same time.
