Overview
The kind of place where you get something more with your $14 martini than an olive - a dash of 50's glamour and a garnish of genuine honest to goodness class.
John W. Campbell rented this space in 1923 and transformed it into what was quite likely the most luxurious personal office New York City has ever known. In 1999 the space underwent a million dollar renovation, turning the space into one of the city’s great classic bars. It retains a virtual museum of details from its early incarnation. A monolithic safe sits within an enormous fireplace (it was once embedded in the wall), the hand painted ceilings create the air of a Florentine palazzo, and his enormous desk still dominates one side of the room. However, now a location in Grand Central’s west wing make it a popular stop off with commuters who suffer the astronomical drink prices for just a small taste of the decadence with which a tycoon of New York’s golden age once surrounded himself.
Why you should go
- The luxurious space is passed by thousands of commuters every day, but goes mostly unnoticed. Bringing a friend here after work is like revealing a secret to someone hidden in their own backyard.
- The cocktails here are fastidiously proportioned and delivered with a genteel respect which is in itself a rare pleasure in an NYC bar.
What you should know
- A live jazz trio performs on Saturday nights.
- The dress code: No tshirts, jeans, or sneakers is strictly enforced.