Midtown Manhattan's intriguing Bars and Cocktail Lounges, NYC

The end of the workday is a time for celebration. Before heading home, it's always a good idea to meet up with your significant other or catch up with friends and enjoy a cocktail, glass of wine and some light bites. It's the perfect way to unwind and put the cares of the day in the rearview mirror. And, oh, by the way, Midtown Manhattan's nightlife options are NOT just limited to the work week. You can party on the weekends, too. Here are a few intriguing bar and cocktail lounge options. Gather up those who you care about the most and get ready for some great times together.

Pebble Bar - Midtown

There's a ton of pop culture history within these walls. The Pebble Bar occupies the second, third and fourth floor of a legendary townhouse just steps away from Rockefeller Center. The premises were formerly a watering hole by the name of Hurley's, from 1892 to 2000. During that time, just about anybody who was anyone on the Big Apple's celebrity scene passed through Hurley's doors. Noted novelist Jack Kerouac was a regular as was Johnny Carson, who, reportedly, would enter through a back door and party hearty, both before and after doing his TV show over at the NBC studios. Hurley's was also a favorite of David Letterman as well as the cast and crew of Saturday Night Live. One could say that Hurley's was their "home away from home."

The name Pebble Bar was, in fact, inspired by the writings of Jack Kerouac. Pebble Bar opened in February of 2022. It was founded by a group of friends and native New Yorkers who wanted to carry on the tradition of hospitality that Hurley's was known for. Matt Kliegman, Carlos Quirarte, Matthew Charles, Noah Bernamoff and Julian Brizzi have done Hurley's proud. They have created a place where everyone, from celebrities to everyday folks can feel welcome. And, the food and drinks ain't half-bad, either.

Should a birthday celebration, bachelorette party, or office gathering be in your future, then
make plans to book your event at Johnny's, the spectacular private event space on the townhouse's top floor. It is accessible only by private elevator and your guests will be VERY impressed.

Cocktails and light bites are served on the second and third floors of the Pebble Bar. Reservations are advised, but walk-ins are welcome. The kitchen's menu is varied and contains some very intriguing options such as a succulent lobster roll, a plate of addicting deviled eggs, French onion dip with Cape Cod chips and a prosciutto tarte flambee with figs, creme fraiche and gruyere cheese. If you're on a date, why not splurge and order the steak tartare and caviar plate? For dessert, try the Pebble Cup, which is a light chocolate mousse topped with hazelnut pralines and whipped cream.

And now, it's time to look into a few exciting cocktail options. You didn't think we were going to neglect that, did you? Crimson and Clover will totally make your evening with a generous pour of Teeling Irish whiskey, Tawny port, angostura, raspberry syrup, lemon juice and an egg white. Take a ride on the Night Train. With ingredients like Pebble Bar rye, cynar and Vallet bitters, it's better than the Subway, any day. Celebrate the love of your life with Mucho Mucho Amor. This intriguing blend of Aperol, rum, strawberry juice, lime juice and maestro dobel will definitely go to your head. Also noteworthy is the Pebble Paloma, which mixes Patron Silver and Ancho Reyes with orange juice, Fever-Tree grapefruit and mole bitters.

Location and Hours:

67 West 49th Street
New York N.Y. 10112
www.pebblebarnyc.com

Hours:

Monday to Wednesday 4 PM to 12 AM
Thursday to Saturday 4 PM to 2 AM
Sunday 5 PM to 12 AM

Faces and Names Bar and Lounge - Midtown

A local favorite for over thirty years, Faces and Names has a real neighborhood vibe going for it. But, the great news is that you don't have to be a regular to receive the red carpet treatment. The staff here loves making new friends. The ambiance is cozy and more than welcoming with two gorgeous bars, a working fireplace and floor-to-ceiling front windows. The walls are decorated with colorful caricatures of various A-list celebrities, immortalized on canvas by artist Dan Springer. The totally neat thing is that most of the actors and singers who adorn the walls at Faces and Names are either regulars or have stopped in a time or two in the past.

Faces and Names is located in the bustling Midtown West neighborhood, well within walking distance of attractions like the Ziegfeld Ballroom, Carnegie Hall, MOMA, the August Wilson Theater as well as major hotels such as the Hilton, Sheraton Times Square; well, you get the idea!

When it comes time to wet your whistle, you'll find a sterling selection of craft and bottled beers, wine, spirits and some totally delectable cocktails. The whimsically named Cran Canyon ( It's a bit corny, we know ), is made with Misguided vodka, lime juice, cranberry juice, simple syrup and ginger beer. The Slutty Old-Fashioned consists of Angel's Envy, Rockeys, orange juice, simple syrup and a dash of nutmeg. One of the more unusual mixes you'll find anywhere is the Coquito. Super-tasty, this cocktail is composed of Bacardi, vanilla, coconut milk, and condensed milk and is topped up with cinnamon.

The food menu here definitely holds its own. You'll love their signature five-ounce Pat LaFrieda blend short rib hamburger that's topped with American cheese, tomato and a thick slice of onion. The Faces Cubano sandwich will fill you up for sure. They really pack the French baguette with lots of roasted pork, prosciutto, Swiss cheese, chopped pickles and that oh-so-delicious Secret Faces sauce. There are also items available such as a stack of perfectly fried onion rings and warm pretzel bites with house-made honey mustard. And, did we mention those sensational mushroom tacos?

Location and Hours :

159 West 54th Street
New York N.Y. 10019
(212) 586-9311
www.facesandnames.com

Hours :

Monday and Tuesday 3 PM to 4 AM
Wednesday to Sunday 12 PM to 4 AM

Valerie - Midtown

This beautifully appointed upscale bar celebrates Manhattan's Golden Age during the latter part of the 19th century and into the Roaring Twenties. The ambiance is upscale, to say the least. But, always interesting and even a wee bit eccentric. There are lots of tiles, brass, marble and smoked mirrors throughout the premises. Eye-catching floral patterns, wall murals of burlesque dancers and distinctive lighting give every room its own personality.

Valerie's centerpiece or "stage", as it were, is a magnificent, uber-long bar, where you can watch the barkeeps put on quite a show. In a very refined way, of course. There is even a grand staircase that leads up to the second level. At the bar, any kind of liquor you can imagine is available for your drinking pleasure. However, at Valerie, cocktails rule! Beverage Director Marshall Minyaya and his team have worked overtime in their "lab", coming up with an extensive cocktail menu of signature elixirs, classics and seasonal innovations. At any one time, you'll find close to thirty-five libations on their drink list.

Please don't forget about Valerie's superb Sunday Jazz Brunch. Between the hours of 12 and 3 PM, you'll be entertained by the lively sounds of Danny Lipsitz and the Brass Tacks.
Valerie's brunch drinks include a fabulous Mimosa and their very special and not-too-spicy Bloody Mary. The cool thing about THIS Bloody Mary is that it is garnished with giardiniera, which are Italian-style pickled veggies.

Unlike some places, here at Valerie, the bar team loves to share their passion for what's in your glass with their guests. Don't be afraid to ask questions about ingredients, how they came up with the idea for a certain cocktail etc. They'll be more than happy to answer. Here's an interesting fact: When the seasons change, each member of the bar team is asked to create a cocktail specific to that time of year. They've come up with some real winners in the past; libations that have gone on to become standard signature drinks on the menu.

The remedy is a daiquiri-inspired cocktail with deep blackberry and bright aperitif notes. The ingredients are Peruvian pisco, oloroso sherry, lime juice, blackberry juice and orange bitters. Curiosity Calls is a refreshing Scotch cobbler with tropical flavors and aromas. Monkey Shoulder Scotch is mixed with amaro Montenegro, mango and lime juice, vanilla and peach bitters for an unforgettable taste.

Valerie's signature gin and tonics are carefully crafted and served over ice in a Copa goblet glass accompanied by a seasonal garnish. The Citrus Gin and tonic is made with Ford's gin, Luxardo maraschino liqueur, grapefruit bitters and a Red Penguin floral tonic. The same attention is paid to creating a memorable martini. Each of their signature martinis are prepared and bottled in-house. Every six-ounce bottle is appropriately stored at below-freezing temperatures, resulting in a perfectly chilled cocktail. The House Gibson martini is composed of Christian Drouin gin and dry vermouth with a pickled pearl onion garnish.

Location and Hours:

45 West 45th Street
New York N.Y. 10036
(212) 302-4545
www.valerienewyorkcity.com

Hours :

Monday 11:30 AM to 12 AM
Tuesday to Friday 11:30 AM to 2 AM
Saturday 11 AM to 2 AM
Sunday 11 AM to12 AM

48 Lounge - Midtown

A sophisticated cocktail lounge that has the feel of being in someone's apartment living room, ( if that someone was a mega-billionaire like Richard Branson or a pop star such as Bono or Rod Stewart ), 48 Lounge is nightlife redefined. Brought to you by power couples Brian and Carrie Packin together with Dave and Lori Nader, 48 Lounge is spacious enough so that you never feel crowded or hemmed in; yet is intimate and cozy, perfect for when it's time to get serious and impress your date.

Brian and Carrie, the talented duo who also founded City Nights Hospitality, wanted to create a place where they would be hosts and YOU would be their honored guests. Unlike some fancy pants lounges where the management almost makes the customer feel as though they are doing you a favor by allowing you to spend money there, The Packins want their guests to feel relaxed and simply enjoy the moment.

One of 48 Lounge's signature sips is Toast of Midtown. This cocktail has it all with unusual
ingredients like gin that's been infused with saffron, Barron's ginger liqueur, muddled raspberries, fresh-squeezed lemon juice, Stellina prosecco and, get this, edible gold as a garnish. Flourish consists of Ketel One botanical grapefruit, rose, vodka, Italicus Bergamot liqueur, lemon juice and aloe vera juice. Your drink is garnished with an edible orchid flower.

Another buzz-worthy cocktail is Rosemary's Basil, made with Patron Silver infused with Rosemary, Solerno blood orange liqueur, muddled basil and grapefruit juice. Packing a taste and alcohol punch is the magnificent Smoked Old-Fashioned. Your taste buds will be impressed by the blend of pistachio-infused bourbon, maple syrup, angostura and Woodford spiced cherry bitters. Your glass is double-garnished with a dehydrated orange wheel AND luscious brandied cherries. These cocktails are just MADE for Instagram, so make sure that your phone is charged to the max.

48 Lounge also offers some delicious small plates including truffle mac and cheese bites, crab cakes accompanied by Louisiana remoulade sauce and ginger-soy chicken lettuce wraps with scallions, pineapple, cucumber and toasted cashews.

You might be interested to know that 48 Lounge has received high ratings and accolades from Zagat, Open Table and Yelp, as well as winning the Concierge Choice Award for best bar and lounge in the city from the NY Hotel and Concierge Association. The Big Apple's movers and shakers love 48 Lounge. You will too!

Location and Hours:

1221 Sixth Avenue
New York N.Y. 10020
(212) 554-4848
www.48nyc.com

Hours :

Sunday and Monday Closed
Tuesday to Thursday 4 PM to 12 AM
Friday 4 PM to 3 AM
Saturday 6 PM to 3 AM