New York’s first commercial distillery was established in 1640 on modern-day Staten Island.

The Wall Street Hotel

Renowned as the birthplace of iconic cocktails like the Manhattan and Penicillin, New York has earned worldwide recognition for its prowess at mixology—and the city’s luxury hotels are no exception. From the Upper West Side to the banks of the East River, visitors can discover a wealth of hotel bars that have mastered the art of elevated drinking and dining, offering unparalleled opportunity for cocktail aficionados, gastronomes and wine connoisseurs alike. Whether you’re hoping to sample innovative takes on the classic martini, sip the Mediterranean’s finest vermouths or just kick back with a mocktail in hand, the following hotels are certain to leave you with fond memories of New York and its world-class drinks scene.

The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue

Ai Fiori first received the Wine Spectator Grand Award in 2018.

The Langham, New York, Fifth Avenue

Manhattan’s Fifth Avenue has earned worldwide acclaim for its lavish shopping opportunities, but when it comes to high-end hospitality, it’s tough to beat The Langham. In addition to boasting luxury amenities like a state-of-the-art fitness center and complimentary house car service, this palatial property also serves as one of Midtown’s top destinations for wine aficionados thanks to its signature restaurant Ai Fiori. There are more than 1,000 different options gracing its beverage menu, with wines spanning from New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc to Napa Valley Merlot—and of course, the venue also makes sure to pay homage to the restaurant’s French and Italian roots, with plenty of Sangiovese, Chardonnay and Nebbiolo available as well.

While the extensive wine list is certainly a highlight for Ai Fiori diners, that’s not all that the venue has to offer. To kick off the meal, guests can look forward to flavorful dishes like the tuna tartare niçoise—an ultra-colorful seafood dish paired with pole beans and potato—and the garlic butter-topped lobster knuckles, while main courses range from pistachio-dusted campanelle to grilled swordfish brochettes. And when it comes to cocktails, the restaurant features a particularly diverse array of options, with flavor profiles spanning from earthy and smoky (the Perché No) to tropical fruit-forward (the Rosalia).

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

The Brooklyn Bridge officially opened on May 24th, 1883.

1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge

Towering high over Brooklyn Bridge Park, the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge has earned recognition for its steadfast commitment to sustainability—and this devotion to the environment extends to its cocktail program as well. On the 10th floor, Harriet’s Lounge offers dazzling skyline views as well as a dedicated sustainable cocktail list, using kitchen byproducts like spent citrus peels and coffee grounds in each drink to minimize food waste. Options span from the classic espresso martini to the lychee and hibiscus-infused Purple Haze—and as an added bonus, the venue is also equipped with all sorts of flavorful Asian fusion fare, with okonomiyaki fries, katsu wagyu toast and hoisin-glazed mushroom bao being just a few of the can’t-miss menu items for first-time diners.

Harriet’s Lounge boasts some of the finest city views in the neighborhood, but it’s far from the only restaurant worth visiting at the 1 Hotel Brooklyn Bridge. First established in Manhattan’s West Village, Barbuto provides an opportunity for diners to explore the rich world of California-Italian cuisine, equipped with an impressive roster of pizzas, pastas and other dishes. The restaurant’s cocktail menu is packed full of refreshing options—the Limoncello Spritz, JW Margarita and elderflower-accented Kalypso, to name a few—as well as more spirit-forward concoctions like the Summer Daydream, a complex drink that blends Appleton rum with Banane du Brésil and Laphroaig whiskey.

The Wall Street Hotel

Wall Street earned its name from a defensive wall that stood in Lower Manhattan from 1653 to 1699.

The Wall Street Hotel

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The Wall Street Hotel draws both locals and tourists in droves thanks to its refined atmosphere and ambitious beverage program, with plenty of complex cocktails available at Lounge on Pearl. While options range from the tropical fruit-forward Passion Project to the baijiu and sake-laden Punching Out, the space is a must-visit for martini fans thanks to one drink in particular: the Triple Pearl Martini. A recent addition to the menu, this intriguing concept invites guests to pair their martini with a trio of boba-esque pearls, transforming the flavor profile from dry to dirty to espresso-infused over the course of just one drink.

Beyond Lounge at Pearl, The Wall Street Hotel also showcases the splendor of French cuisine with La Marchande. In addition to decadent dishes like French onion dumplings and hanger steak frites, visitors can expect an equally impressive beverage selection, with over 200 wines and a curated Martini Market that allows diners to build their own beverage on the spot. Meanwhile, fortified wine fans should be sure to spring for the Vermouth Flight, a gastronomic experience that showcases some of the finest options sourced from central France and the Mediterranean.

Loews Regency New York

The Loews Regency New York officially opened on March 1st, 1963.

Loews Regency New York

Located just east of Central Park, the Loews Regency New York excels at the art of mixology on all levels, with spirit-forward cocktails and zero-ABV concoctions both up for grabs. While the on-site Regency Bar & Grill is known for its long-running “Power Breakfast,” evening guests can look forward to a diverse roster of cocktails that showcase cultures from across the globe, with the gin-based Singapore Sling, Brazilian caipirinha and Peruvian pisco sour all gracing the menu. For a more local option, The Regency serves as the venue’s take on a traditional martini, while classic cocktails span from the Paper Plane to the daiquiri.

Those who prefer to abstain from alcohol have their fair share of options as well thanks to the Loews Free Spirited program, an initiative that focuses on offering low-to-no-ABV beverages crafted with locally sourced ingredients. In terms of more refreshing options, the Spritz of Lies packs a double-punch of Lyre’s Italian Orange and non-alcoholic sparkling wine, while the Namaretto Sour serves as a worthy alternative to the classic Italian liqueur-infused Amaretto Sour. Alongside these options, patrons can also inquire about the property’s Fizz offerings, a roster of house-crafted sodas designed by Loews “Fizzologists” to provide refreshing, effervescent options for non-drinkers. And of course, the Regency Bar & Grill is also home to all sorts of hearty American fare, with veal meatballs, East Coast oysters and pumpkin pesto cavatelli all up for grabs.

Waldorf Astoria New York

The Waldorf Astoria New York was preceded by the Waldorf-Astoria, an 1890s-era hotel that was demolished in 1929 to make room for the Empire State Building.

Joe Thomas

An icon within the Manhattan hospitality scene, the Waldorf Astoria New York has been a lauded fixture of Park Avenue since 1931—and today, the property continues to wow guests with its exemplary drinking and dining scene. For cocktail aficionados, the storied Peacock Alley seamlessly blends old-school charm with modern sophistication, providing guests with a wealth of classic and creative cocktails in an Art Deco-influenced space. Time-honored favorites span from the Ford’s Gin-infused Waldorf Martini to the aptly-named Waldorf Cocktail, a relative of the Manhattan that was invented on hotel grounds roughly a century ago.

Beyond classic cocktails, Peacock Alley visitors can also enjoy craft creations like the tequila-based Bullfighter and the gin-forward Silver Gallery—and that’s not all that the Waldorf Astoria has to offer. During a visit to the two-level Lex Yard, visitors can expect flavorful bourbon cocktails like the Ticker Tape and Silver Corridor, both of which pair perfectly with an order of mushroom tagliatelle. Meanwhile, Yoshoku provides a spin on traditional Japanese kaiseki dining infused with North American flair, featuring a menu full of savory seafood dishes served alongside high-end sake and spirits.