Bemelmans Bar

Delightful atmosphere, absolutely loved the murals and the old timey feel. We went in around 2:30 pm, well before the music started, and it was really hard to get service. We had to wait for someone to leave the bar, and even then the bartender was not the most attentive. Drinks were good, definitely overpriced. You’re paying for the experience and atmosphere for sure. But not a bad way to spend a winter afternoon, if you want to be spendy.

Tops! Great drinks, food and live music what else could you ask for. Plus the prettiest place around. We arrived around 10:30 pm and it was packed on Thursday but lucked out with a table right away. The service and staff is impeccable. I love all the different rooms of the hotel to eat or have a drink. The restaurant and champagne bar are both incredible as well. A memorable experience and can’t wait to return. Very elegant and upbeat. Great vibe.

Very cool experience at The Carlyle especially with the drawing-focused murals all over the bar! Drinks are priced steeply but shockingly they’re actually worth the cost - they’re delicately made and served with class. Wait time can be around 15-25 minutes during the day if you are not a hotel guest, and i think the evening should be harder to swing a table given the popular piano performances.

Historical and iconic place where we thought of giving a try to see if we can get a table in the piano bar considering how difficult it is normally to get in and we are not staying in the hotel. Upon arriving we were told there might be 25 mins waiting time to get a sit-down table for 4 so we decided to give a try and wait for it. There were only a couple who were ahead of us but eventually they kicked off with the hotel manager and left so we ended up being in the first of the line. People were accumulated so swiftly at the glass door where the queue starts and we were very lucky given a table after 10 mins. The atmosphere was excellent but very busy. We were served as soon as we sat down while we were waiting for the other 2. A coverage charges $35 per head for a sit-down table so they didn't't end up staying. We tried countless cocktails and they were all excellent! Snacks were provided and I ordered waygue beef sliders as I didn't enjoy my dinner at The Mark Hotel across the road. The sliders were delicious. Our waiter Leo was excellent and suggested some great cocktails. The bar manager was outstanding in clearing a few groups of people who were not supposed to dance or standing right in front of the piano and next to our table. The musicians who played and sang throughout the night from 9:30 were extraordinary and we enjoyed our evening here thoroughly. Worth every single penny.

Bemelmans is a New York institution for a reason. I’ve been a few times and while I’ve had a lovely experience every time I’ve gone, I’m not sure that the experience justifies the price tag - even with the complimentary snacks. The drinks are well mixed and beautifully served, but there are so many wonderful and reasonably priced bars to go to if you want to listen to music while you sip a drink. The music can be a bit sleepy here, as well as the crowd, but that’s what you should expect at the Carlyle. There’s no doubt that the space itself is quite special and the experience is worth doing at least once. It's the perfect way to end a day after going to a museum.

It’s worth going to say you’ve been. Go earlier to avoid a huge wait. It would have been nice to know only one bartender was working the bar and room, while the other poured a couple who spent $500 on a tasting drink after drink—as it took 15 minutes to be served. For the price, an explanation would have been helpful. The drinks (a mescaline and The Essayist) were well mixed and delicious, it’s true. But not sure this is for anything other than the occasional visit.

We came here as it's listed as one of the top bars in NYC. I will admit that the service and ambiance were excellent and it totally makes sense why it gets labeled a top bar. The ambiance is very posh and upscale. The decor is very classy but also unique as it Bemelman's art. The service is excellent as everyone there is very kind. The day we went, there was only one bartender/server and the poor guy was so busy but still would stop by as much as they could. The bar also gives you little snacks with your drink and they were delicious. The drinks in my opinion were pretty average - the same as all other upscale cocktail bars but obviously not as good as some of NYC's famous speakeasies such a Death & Co. or PDT. The price was also pretty steep for a drink, however, given the bar, I guess that part should have been expected. Instagram: TheShahLALand