New York City (Fodor's, 2012) - Fodor's [128]
Morrell Wine Bar and Café.
The vibrant Morrell takes its grape products very seriously, with one of the city’s best selections of wine by the glass and an epic array of bottles. In summer you can sip, slurp, or chug the stuff at outdoor tables in the heart of Rockefeller Center. | 1 Rockefeller Plaza, W. 49th St. between 5th and 6th Aves., Midtown West | 10020 | 212/262–7700 | www.morrellwinebar.com | Subway: B, D, F, M to 47th–50th Sts./Rockefeller Center.
Oak Room.
One of the great classic cabaret venues, the Algonquin’s Oak Room is formal (jackets are mandatory; ties are the norm) and decorated sumptuously. You might find the hopelessly romantic singer Andrea Marcovicci, among other top-notch performers, crooning here. | Algonquin Hotel,59 W. 44th St., between 5th and 6th Aves., Midtown West | 10036 | 212/840–6800 | Subway: B, D, F, M to 42nd St.; 7 to 5th Ave.
Royalton.
Although it’s lacking the Philippe Starck design it once had and the fashionable crowd that lured in, this boutique hotel’s bar can still be a great spot to gear up or wind down after a Broadway show. | 44 W. 44th St., between 5th and 6th Aves., Midtown West | 10036 | 212/869–4400 | www.royaltonhotel.com | Subway: B, D, F, M to 42nd St./Bryant Park.
Russian Vodka Room.
Forget Russian Samovar across the block—here’s where the serious vodka drinking goes down, along with (almost) everything that goes along with serious vodka drinking. The Vodka Room features a glowing, sophisticated front room with nightly piano player (and the superlative Dmitri Kolesnik Jazz Trio on Monday, free of charge), a more sumptuous back room, a generous Attitude Adjustment Hour (that’s Russki for “Happy Hour”), and more exotically infused vodkas (horseradish! ginger! pepper!) than you can shake a babushka at. For those who crave variety, a vodka tasting menu is available, as are culinary standards like borscht. | 265 W. 52nd St., between Broadway and 8th Ave., Midtown West | 10019 | 212/307–5835 | www.russianvodkaroom.com | Subway: C, E, 1 to 50th St.
Salon de Ning.
Take a break from 5th Avenue shopping at this glass-lined penthouse bar on the 23rd floor of the über-ritzy Peninsula Hotel. Drinks are pricey, of course, but what isn’t in this neighborhood? Plus, the views are inarguably worth it, especially from the rooftop terraces. | Peninsula Hotel,700 5th Ave., at W. 55th St., Midtown West | 10019 | 212/956–2888 | Subway: E, M to 5th Ave./53rd St.
Sardi’s.
“The theater is certainly not what it was,” said a forlorn feline in the musical Cats, and the same could be said for this Broadway legend. Still, hardcore theater fans might consider making time for a drink in one of the red-leather booths, which are surrounded by caricatures of stars past and present. | 234 W. 44th St., between Broadway and 8th Ave., Midtown West | 10036 | 212/221–8440 | www.sardis.com | Subway: A, C, E to 42nd St.
‘21’ Club.
A row of lawn jockeys welcomes you to this former speakeasy, celebrated for having pulled in famous writers and movie stars through most of the past century. Privilege and whimsy are mixed together here: the well dressed can enjoy well-prepared American cuisine in the well-appointed Bar Room as well as enjoy well-made drinks next to a roaring fire in the cozy front lounge. | 21 W. 52nd St., between 5th and 6th Aves., Midtown West | 10019 | 212/582–7200 | www.21club.com | Subway: B, D, F, M to 47–50th Sts./Rockefeller Center.
Xai Xai Wine Bar.
The only trouble with hitting this delightful South African sanctuary is developing an addiction to ostrich carpaccio. That ostrich dish is joined by other favorite munchies from the Transvaal, not to mention nearly 100 different wines from Capetown, Jo’burg, and everywhere in between. Xai Xai also sports