PROMO: The 5 Best Hotel Bars in NYC

Image via Complex Original

It's no secret that hotel bars are no longer just for traveling salesman or globetrotting players, and there's no city with more offerings of vacation/staycation watering holes than the Big Apple. Though narrowing the list of the best hotel bars in Gotham down to five is a difficult venture, here are our picks for that holy quintuplet, be you a visitor or a resident.

5. The Pool at the Room Mate Grace Hotel

"The Pool at the Room Mate Grace Hotel Not only does this place garner a top-5 spot amongst hotel bars, but it also holds the crown as the coolest place to swim in New York City (take that, McCarren Park). Either hop in the deep end and indulge in some swim-up cocktail service (they sell suits at the front desk), or watch from the safety of your seat on the other side of the bar. Sure, you're supposed to wait an hour to go in the pool after eating, but no one ever said the same applies to cocktails. Cannonball!"

4.  Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle

Named for Ludwig Bemelmans (who sounds like he should have been a classical composer, but was actually the author of the iconic Madeline children's book series), the bar, tucked away in the classic decor of the Carlyle Hotel lobby, is where old world charm meets timeless style. The plush leather seating, gold leaf ceiling and gorgeous baby grand piano are offset by the colorfully illustrated murals on the walls, painted by Ludwig himself (Madeline even makes an appearance). However, there's nothing child-like about the cocktail prices, which average in the $20 range (with a cover charge also popping up after 9:30 PM), so crack open your piggy bank (or Madeline's) before rolling up.

3.  King Cole Bar at the St. Regis

Continuing with our childish theme, this venue is named not for Nat, but Old King Cole, the titular subject of a British nursery rhyme who was described as a "merry old soul.” After spending some time at the King Cole Bar, that merriness will likely rub off. A mural of the bar's namesake hangs on the wall and is alleged to contain a secret (bug the bartenders enough and they'll tell you).

Painted by Maxfield Parrish, the mural was commissioned by the country's first multi-millionaire, John Jacob Astor, likely one of the only men ever who could afford to drink here on a regular basis. The bar's signature cocktail is the Red Snapper (aka, the Bloody Mary), which, contrary to popular belief, customers are not contractually obligated to drink only whilst hungover at brunch. Long live the King.

2.  Thom Bar at the Thompson Hotel

It takes moxy to use the abbreviated name "Thom" (yeah, Thom Yorke, I said it), but moxy is certainly in no short supply at the elegantly understated Thom Bar in the 60 Thompson Hotel. With classic wood trim, comfy couches and throw pillows to die for (if there is such a thing), the bar's elegance-through-simplicity vibe is all tied together by its gorgeous marble fireplace (admittedly, more of a draw in the winter time). The laid back vibe is elevated at 10 PM when DJs start spinning, and the bar does keep it real with a happy hour on weekdays that features beer and cocktails at normal-person prices. We are the (very buzzed) 99 percent!

1.  The Breslin at the Ace Hotel

Named for adorable child star Abigail Breslin (probably not), the Breslin Bar and Dining Room tops our list not only because it's the newest addition, but because of its undeniably strong culinary component. The beverage offerings are both copious (the wine list alone is most extensive) and adventurous, with fun, affordable concoctions like the beer cocktails (you've never experienced Guinness like you will in a Boatman's Call). But once your whistle is whetted, it's the food that truly elevates the place.

The brain child of April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman, who partnered on the Michelin-star boasting Spotted Pig in the West Village, the offerings run the gamut from caramel popcorn to rabbit confit, all with an ambiance of the classiest saloon in the east. Come for a Pablo Honey (one of the bar's tequila-based specialty cocktails, and the second Radiohead reference on this list), stay for the whole roast suckling pig.