Whether you’re looking to have post-work drinks with colleagues, a round with friends, a romantic spot for date night, or a solo nightcap, Lincoln Square has the perfect place! Read on for a rundown of where to find the best cocktails, brews, and wine lists in the neighborhood.
Many of the most elegant and scenic places to have a drink in Lincoln Square are located in the area’s iconic hotels. Mandarin Oriental, New York (80 Columbus Circle at West 60th Street) is home to Mo Lounge, a swanky bar and restaurant on the 35th floor that pairs spectacular views with an all-day menu and well-crafted cocktails. Next to Mo Lounge, Mandarin Oriental also recently opened The Bar, an intimate 45-seat lounge. Inspired by the Silk Road, The Bar’s exotic cocktail menu incorporates flavors from the spice markets of Doha, tea houses of Bangkok, and Istanbul’s Grand Bazaar. Not to be missed is the espresso martini crafted with fig and cold brew.
Also nearby Columbus Circle, at Trump International Hotel and Tower (1 Central Park West), are Nougatine by Jean-Georges, a French favorite with a lively bar scene, and the Michelin-starred restaurant Jean-Georges. Nougatine has a business casual dress code and serves the signature and seasonal dishes of chef Jean-Georges for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and Sunday brunch.
A few blocks north, The Empire Rooftop at the Empire Hotel (44 West 63rd Street on the 12th floor) is another classic option to have drinks with unforgettable views. The Empire Rooftop has indoor and outdoor seating options, making it a lovely spot to relax and take in the neighborhood from on high, no matter the weather.
Downstairs at The Empire Hotel, Rosa Mexicano recently moved into a space on the second floor that’s twice as big as its previous, longtime location around the corner. Rosa Mexicano is known best for its award-winning cocktail, the Frozen Pomegranate margarita, but it also has many other creative flavors to try, including Mango Chile, Spicy Cucumber, and Blood Orange Sunrise. On Margarita Mondays, margaritas are just $5 and more deals are available every weekday from 4:00pm to 7:00pm.
Completing the trifecta of establishments at The Empire Hotel is P.J. Clarke’s. Since 2007, this has been the place to go for cocktail classics—Old Fashioned, Manhattan, Negroni, Aperol Spritz, and more—and an authentic New York experience. For sports fans, the dark wood bar at P.J. Clare’s is also a great place to enjoy dinner and watch the game.
While it’s hard to compete with the views at Mandarin Oriental and The Empire Hotel, Ascent Lounge (10 Columbus Circle on the 4th floor) goes toe-to-toe with them for Instagram-worthy backdrops of Columbus Circle and Central Park. Ascent is a sophisticated place to unwind at Deutsche Bank Center, which also includes Dizzy’s Club (at Jazz at Lincoln Center), the renowned venue for nightly jazz performances. Head up to the 5th floor to get to Dizzy’s, a hotspot for world-class jazz musicians. There is a food and beverage minimum of $25 per person, per set, or $15 starting at 9:00pm.
Wine aficionados also have a home in Lincoln Square. Vanguard Wine Bar (189 Amsterdam Avenue) is a low-lit, cozy spot with a wine list that’s broken up by color, body, and taste—making it easy to understand. These selections can be paired with Vanguard’s menu of American food with French influences. For a more Mediterranean flair, ZiZi Wine Bar (2012 Broadway at West 68th and 69th Street) is the place to go for a wide range of sparkling, red, white, orange, and rosé wines. ZiZi has a daily happy until 6:00pm, offering 20% off all bottles, 10% off reserve bottles, and 15% off the food menu.
Rounding out this tour of Lincoln Square’s bar scene are two longtime restaurants, located next door to each other, each with ample space at the counter. The Smith and Café Fiorello (both at 1900 Broadway at West 63rd and 64th Street) are ideally situated for having drinks pre- or post-performances at Lincoln Center. They also have outdoor sidewalk seating that makes for the perfect atmosphere to take in the sunset.
There are even more great restaurants with bars and drink menus, which can be found in Lincoln Square BID’s Neighborhood Guide, including: seafood restaurants Atlantic Grill (50 West 65th Street) and El Fish Marisqueria (155 Amsterdam Avenue); Italian eateries Canto (2014 Broadway at West 68th and 69th Street) and Bad Roman (10 Columbus Circle, 3rd floor); Mediterranean fine dining restaurant Rampoldi (49 West 64th Street); upscale options Per Se and Bar Masa (both at 10 Columbus Circle on the 4th floor); and Southeast Asian restaurant Twin Tails (10 Columbus Circle, 3rd floor).
With so many options to choose from, there’s nothing left to do but enjoy the best that Lincoln Square has to offer. Cheers!
Photo Credit: The Bar (Mandarin Oriental, New York)
