Pete Davidson invested in the bar.
It is located inside a four-story converted townhouse next to the NBC studios home to SNL.
The cocktails and exclusive atmosphere are worth a lot of money.
The new bar in Rockefeller Center promises both luxury and good vibes.
The building used to be home to Hurley's from 1892 to 2000. The New York Post reported that David Letterman had a personal back entrance, which is still intact today for only those in the know.
As of February 28, the space reopened under new owners and a new name, with the help of celebrity investors including Pete Davidson, Nicholas Braun, and Mark Ron.
I was determined to get a reservation so I went to see what the hype was about.
I noticed early on that the desire to visit among social media users was intense with names like Davidson and Braun in the mix. The first day it opened, it was difficult to get a reservation.
I had to book around a month in advance for my reservation on the third floor.
Only two of the three levels are bookable on Resy's online reservation service.
I first felt the exclusive vibes when I entered the space.
There were gold stanchions with red velvet ropes on the side of the building next to the door. Even though no one was lined up, they were ready for whatever was going to happen.
A doorman was stationed at his post, checking guests reservations, and radioing up to the hostess to let her know who was on their way upstairs.
The entryway is dark and has a luxurious feel, which continued as I walked up the navy and brown staircase.
I was immediately wrapped in the dark wood and jewel-toned accents of the small lobby area when I first walked in.
The elevator door was emerald green with gold accents, and it had a small circular window similar to those in old movies and TV shows.
I climbed the stairs to the second floor.
The second-floor bar is for drinks only.
While waiting for my table to be ready for me upstairs, I took in the second floor bar area.
The atmosphere was casual but still upscale. There are stools and high-top tables at the bar.
There were already people drinking on floor two when I got there at 5, even though the online hours said the bar opened at 5.
If you want to eat, you have to reserve a third-floor reservation.
I went upstairs to the third-floor lounge after my table was ready.
It is more difficult to get a table on the third floor than it is on the second floor.
The second floor has a more open floor plan, which may explain why this space is a bit smaller.
The bar is located on the third floor and is separated from the dining room by a wall. The second floor felt brighter, but it was noticeably darker.
The walls are decorated with mirrored panels and black-and-white photographs.
I felt like this would be a great date spot, sitting on the bench.
The fourth floor is used for private events and only accessible by elevator. I was not allowed to go up during my visit.
I was denied entry because of a private event that was going on while I was there.
It reminded me of a Pete Wells quote from his piece on Eleven Madison Park, an expensive restaurant that recently went plant-based with the exception of a private room where beef is on the menu. He called the situation a metaphor for Manhattan, where there is always a higher level of luxury.
There is a question of what floor you get to experience, even if you can get a reservation at the bar. If you can book the third, you will know that there is a secret place one floor up that is out of reach.
The room on the third floor filled up with other diners dressed in chic business and dinner-wear just 10 minutes after 5 p.m.
On a Wednesday, it was not uncommon for a bar or restaurant to fill up at 5 p.m.
The crowd seemed to be a mix of friends and coworkers meeting up for drinks and small bites after work.
The menu features drinks and snacks that are thought out.
The bar is willing to make any off-menu classic you have a craving for, and the featured cocktails range from $20 to $24.
The cheapest wine-by-the-glass is an orange Sauvignon blanc for $17, and beers cost between $10 and $13.
If you are hungry, the cheapest thing you could order is a single oyster or deviled egg. A seafood tower dubbed "The Rock" is on the menu.
The 500 Miles High and the Rawhide Margarita were the most popular drinks on the menu according to a server.
The first drink our server mentioned was the 500 Miles High, which costs $20 and is made using yuzu shu, lychee, St. George pear brandy, and lemon and shiso leaf.
It was great, she was right. I didn't like the taste of the lychee. It was more prominent in the color of the drink. I was able to pick up some notes of pear and yuzu, but I think there wasn't one ingredient that was better than the others. It tasted like they worked together to create a unique flavor that was appreciated. It was not overly sweet despite having brandy in it. I don't like sweet drinks.
The cocktail menu mentioned the margarita as a high point, and after trying it I would agree.
This classic costs $21 and is made with lime, agabe, and Dos Hombres Mezcal.
I was refreshed when I tasted the margarita. The taste was simple and sweet.
I would not mind spending more money on the drinks again or even trying a different cocktail on the menu.
The chips with dip and deviled eggs are two of the most popular small bites.
When I heard that deviled eggs were one of the most popular items on the menu, I had to try it.
The cayenne added a welcome flavor boost to the yolks, which were perfect to a mousse-like texture. I thought the finishing oil on top was nice, but the black truffle hiding inside was barely noticeable. If you want a small bite of food, it is a nice treat. These come with 1/2 an egg for $4.
I ordered the french onion dip and chips for $12. The chips to dip ratio was off, but everything tasted good. The dip felt like a thick sour cream base and I ate pieces of onion and garlic as I took it out of my mouth. It was topped off with a layer of chives.
I might order them again next time, instead of the heartier-sounding options, after tasting these small bites.
She said the crab cake is a top choice for diners.
I was impressed by how little filling there was in this crab cake and how good the shellfish flavor was. There was a crumb on top that looked like it was made of potato chips.
The sauce that came with the crab cake did not have the crab cake flavor. There was a pink piquillo mayonnaise on the plate, but I don't think it added anything.
I appreciated the well-dressed bitter fris that came on the side, it brought a bright taste with a lemon taste.
I would not spend another $28 on the crab cake.
The lobster roll was popular, but I preferred the crab and ceviche option.
I wanted to try the dish because I was interested in it.
The kampachi ceviche was made with cucumbers, watermelon radish, and leche de tigre.
My biggest concern was that it was not actually ceviche. The kampachi was fresh and presented beautifully, but it seemed to be raw rather than cured in the juice of a lemon. It reminded me of a fish dish with four thin slices of fish.
This $26 plate was disappointing because it didn't have a flavor at all. The leche de tigre tasted bland.
Even though the prices are higher than I would care to spend, there is something about being in this small, intimate spot that makes me want to go back again.
If you want to get dressed up for a special occasion or just a night when you want to feel luxurious, the drinks and small bites are worth it.
The hotel lobby bar is a chic SoHo cocktail lounge. The cool factor of some popular downtown bars, but in Midtown, which the team behind it said in the press release has been missing from the neighborhood.
It is not a typical place I would see myself hanging out at, and between the high prices and the just-OK food, I can not quite put my finger on what is drawing me to return. Maybe it was the fact that it was kind of old-world adjacent. Maybe it is the hope that I will get to see who is on the fourth floor next time.
The original article can be found on Insider.
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