I came in. Ordered a mojito. Had an intellectual conversation with the bartender (it was 2:30 in the afternoon on a Wednesday). Then saw a cute lady having lunch by herself ... introduced myself. Had some Lobster Bisque and another mojito. Swapped numbers. $70 for a lunch. Stay classy!
Review Source:This bar being legendary, when we found ourselves to be above 70th street and knowing we probably won't be that far uptown again for a long time, we had to check it out. Â
Sat at the bar since the cover charge was $15 compared to $25 at the tables. Â The jazz band was a nice touch and worth the cover. Â Our cocktails were quite good albeit pricey. Â
Love the cartoons going across the wall and the waiters in white jackets. Â Everyone was in their fifties. Â Needless to say, being in our twenties, we stuck out. Â We were mistaken for ahem, "working girls", not once, but twice. Â Therefore, minus one star.
My wife took me here for cocktails for my birthday before our dinner. Â We had both wanted to check it out for a while. Â We weren't disappointed. Â The ambiance was fantastic. Â We loved the live music. Â There was a little wait but it was 6PM on a Saturday so that was expected. Â The service was fantastic. Â The drinks were out of this world. Â We had a Whiskey Smash that was great. Â We got it on a recommendation and would have it again anytime. Â We also ordered a Sidecar. Â We both love them and Bemelmans made one of the best we have had ever. Â The drinks were pricey but not outrageously so compaired to other high end bars in the city. Â We both thought it was well worth it. Â The free snack food at the table was a nice touch also.
Review Source:Fantastic, classic bar. Â Guaranteed to get your drink right. Â On my last visit, we tried the Whiskey Smash for the first time - it was addictive. Â Drinks are expensive, but worth it - there's something perfect about a good bar - it made the rest of the night since the restaurant we tried was a bit disappointing. Â So, at least we'd had Bemelmans. Â Also, there's usually live music (there's a cover after a certain time, maybe 8pm).
Review Source:Great spot for pre-dinner, post-dinner (both??) drinks ... They often have live jazz in the middle of the bar which is a nice touch. Â Atmosphere is just dark enough to be cozy and relaxing. Â Host and staff always attentive and pretty swift with the drink orders. Â Just a heads up that there is sometimes a cover charge if there is live music (will be automatically added to the bill)
My go-to spot for a martini ...
A year or two ago, this bar was featured on No Reservations. Since that time, its been sitting in my Yelp bookmarks, waiting for a special occasion. Recently my parents were in town for my dad's birthday. I thought this would be a perfect place to get a few drinks before dinner. My grew up in Manhattan and as it turns out, came to Bemelman's bar for jazz a few times years ago.
Ludwig Bemelmans, the author of the childrens series Madeline, painted the awesome mural that stretches every inch of the wall. The bar itself, and hotel, reek of classic upscale NYC, especially its location on the Upper East Side.
Cocktails here are not cheap, but they are awesome, truly truly awesome. At about $21 a pop, you can't really get away without spending a ton of cash, but for a special occasion, it's worth it. I've been to crappy bars and spent $15 on an awful cocktail. Here, you get the old style service in a cozy bar/lounge. There is typically music during the early evening, moving over to jazz, which costs $20/person as the cover charge.
If you like whiskey, get the Whiskey Smash, its excellent. Just don't blame me if you end up having 5 of them. Your waiter or bartender will feed you some snacks (chips, spicy cheese crackers and nuts). The four of us finished them a few times over. They just go too well with those cocktails.
Bemelmans Bar is really a place trapped in time. The servers probably still wear the same uniforms they did when they opened. If you go before dinner on a weekend, be prepared to find little place to sit or even stand, it gets crowded. If you want to check it out without waiting, try a weekday prior to the jazz, or go for the jazz, I intend to.
My sweetie and I visited Bemelman's as a pre-concert treat before a Steve Tyrell show at the Cafe Carlyle. Â Bemelman's is a very classy bar located in the Carlyle Hotel on the Upper East Side. Â Unless I win the lottery, my visit was probably my first and last visit. Â Unfortunately, my tastes far exceed my wallet, but I just had to drink here at least once. Â Boy, I am glad I did.
The bar is adorned with original murals by the bar's namesake, Mr. Bemelman. Â Bemelman is most famously known for his illustrations in the Madeleine books. Â The bar was gorgeous in every way. Â The lighting was just perfect to set a romantic mood for me and my sweetie.
There was a very good jazz trio playing and we sat directly to the side of the pianist. Â I don't remember his name, but he played and sang very well. Â The bassist and trumpet player were also very good. Â They placed some very nice and tight original arrangements of jazz standards. Â The entertainment was worth the price of the drinks alone.
Speaking of the price of drinks... they were very high as I had previously expected. Â However, they were expertly made.
All in all, this was a very memorable evening in a place in which I wish I could afford to drink regularly. Â It was truly a once in a lifetime cocktail experience. Â Loved, loved, loved it!!!
4.5 stars.. went on a date- LOVED LOVED LOVED the live music- jazz to start and then the switch to a trio doing christmas. it was so good. I am not one for that old dark dim once upon a time place- but the service was good- wine by the glass was good- and the oysters.. AMAZING!!!! not a cheap place- but I am not a cheap date :)
Tip my hat to Pavel and Mario my waiter- good time (as for the date... sigh)
Bemelmans Bar is a perfect example of what the Upper East Side has to offer. Â The crowd reminds me of what you see on Gossip Girl, where I expect Chuck Bass to pop out of nowhere through that door. Â Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Â This bar is dimmed with candles all around the venue inside the Carlyle Hotel. Â It has this swanky new york city vibe with so much history coming from the hotel, that you feel like you've been transported to another era. Â
My girls and I came here on a Wednesday night on Halloween during Hurricane Sandy. Â It was surprisingly packed where no tables were free. Â Coincidentally that night a live performer was there so you had to pay a cover fee on top of your drinks apparently. Â It was a bit pricy since the drinks were already $$ but we were there so what the hay, let's just do it! Â Drinks can range from anywhere $15-$25 easy but at least the bartenders make the drinks pretty stiff. Â Craft cocktails are available on the menu and whatever you may ask the bartender to make. Â One thing I noticed though is alot of individuals here like to mingle by themselves. Â Come here if you are ready to meet the rich or are in the mood for some pure fun! haha
I loved the live jazz singing performer. Â Perfect and different way to enjoy your Halloween night with your favorite girlies. Â
Can't wait to go back all fancied up of course!
In an old hotel in New York that was covered in vines
Visited two little Yelpers in two straight lines
In two straight lines they arrived and ordered their drinks
And drank until they could not think
They left the Carlyle at half past three
In two now skewed lines they walked, with smiles of glee-
The youngest one by far was Leslie D.
Filled with mural drawings by Ludwig Bemelmans, the creator of the beloved Madeline stories, Bemelmans Bar has become an integral part of the famous Carlyle hotel's identity attracting patrons high and low with its worldly glamor, history and classic appeal. Commissioned in 1947, the drawings on the bar's walls depict the lovable heroine Madeline as well as other characters from her world throughout the dimly lit interior. This should touch anyone's heart who can remember their mother or father earnestly reading Madeline's adventures to them as a child. Not only will you feel a sense of warmth from the expertly crafted cocktail weaving its way into your belly, you will feel a sense of warmth from nostalgia.
For my personal experience, my dear friend and I randomly decided to visit this famous bar on a Sunday afternoon. We entered the hotel from the 76th street entrance which makes getting to the bar a little bit trickier if you do not know where you are going. After walking across the foyer twice unsure of where to go, we finally asked the concierge to point us in the direction of the bar. The woman chuckled and led us through the hotel lobby through a narrow corridor to the bar hidden in the back. I highly suggest you use the entrance on Madison Avenue if it is your first time to avoid this scenario.
Prepare to have your eyes adjust once you walk up the mini flight of stairs that leads you into Bemelmans. We headed straight to the counter where there were only three other patrons, all much older and alone. I am getting used to be the youngest person in the room at these types of bars. Perhaps the dark interior is meant to camouflage the age of the older customer that often visits here? Works for me. Again let me reiterate that this bar is overall poorly lit (even more so at night I have heard) with no windows but I love that sort of thing. Maybe it's the dark EC in me but bring on the enigmatic appeal. As mentioned before, the walls around you are filled with adorable drawings by Bemelmans. Make sure to take a few minutes to soak up the art with your eyes before they become too dilated.
Upon sitting down at the counter, the bartender immediately gave us a menu and a metal trio serveware filled with tasty snacks. The menu consists of a list of classic cocktails that are the bar's signature pride and joy. At $21 a pop, choose wisely unless you have recently come into some money or offed that rich uncle you've been meaning to take care of. My bar connoisseur and I chose to bypass the list and go with the King of Classics, the Old Fashioned. The bartender pretty much poured premium, pure rye into the two tumblers in front of us. For $17 a pop, we almost got our money's worth. I could have gone without the cheap-looking, plastic swizzle stick complete with the hotel's crest that he plopped into our drinks. Still, the drinks were strong, the service was prompt and the atmosphere relaxing. To my delight, live jazz is performed on Friday and Saturday evenings but prepare to pay a nice cover charge to engage in that tradition.
In the style of the Kennedy's, one should obviously come here for the drinks. Come for the libations and leave the hunger at home. Although we did not order anything, a glance at the menu told me to skip the fare with those prices. Why ruin a double digit buzz with an overpriced sandwich with too much bread and no meat? Many people may agree with me in the belief that the effect of alcohol lasts longer and makes other people look sexier. Food does the opposite.
Bemelmans Bar is another one of those places where I could see myself sitting in a dark corner with a tumbler full of Dalmore 64 Trinitas in my right hand, lit cigarette in the other, swaying my head slowly to the live jazz while sizing up the dapper gents donned in button ups and ties... Ok, so maybe that was more of a scene from Mad Men that I desperately want played out in front of me, but still, you get the idea. It's one of THOSE places. Dress appropriately. Next time I am pulling out the full Joan Holloway for this.
Watch out Mr. Draper.
I love the space and the hotel. Â If you know anything about the bar and or the hotel which everyone does they will all say the same thing, so I will spare you from the details...Go see it for yourself.
Nothing on the cocktail menu really tickled my fancy so I opted for my standard drink. The old fashion that I had was a bit too sweet for my taste, but they did use premium Rye. My biggest gripe is the price for drinks, $20 which for a place like this seems to be the norm, but still if I'm going to pay that much I want the same attention to detail that every cocktilian bar will give you, not just some cheap plastic swizzle stick with the hotels name on it.
I give this place 4 starts for the drinks and the music. Â My boyfriend and I love going on weeknights from 5:30-8:30 when there's live piano music. Â It's a great way to unwind after a long work day. Sure, the drinks are a little pricey, but you can't beat the music, the ambiance, and the impeccable waitstaff. Â
As for food, I've only tried the club sandwich. It's not worth it. Â The sandwich was bland and there was barely any bacon. Â I'll continue to stick with the drinks.
Bemelmans Bar - located in the Carlyle Hotel in the Upper East Side. Â Classy and Gorgeous. Â Mixologist type drinks.
I first heard about this bar on Tony Bourdain's Layover show on Travel Channel. Â The bar is named after Ludwig Bemelmans, an Austrian gourmet as well as a writer / illustrator of children's books. Â Some of his artwork can be seen at the bar on the walls.
Menu includes delicious cocktails (such as the Gin Gin Mule, Pisco Sour), Rare Blended Scotches, Small Batch Whiskeys, and Ports. Â YUM!
This place is superb.
Yes, a drink (try the old cuban!) will set you back about $21, but you're paying for the ambience. The space is gorgeous, servers are friendly, and the pianist is amazing. After 9pm, there's an outrageous cover, so we normally leave before then. The place gets super crowded as it gets later and it's difficult to move in-between tables.
This is definitely something that people should experience at least once.
Having already paid my dues to the infamous Midtown Happy Hour spots with no desire to look back, I'm considering my recent trip to Bemelmans an official entrance into adulthood. While $1 drinks sound appealing (you know who you are, Turtle Bay), the ambiance of Bemelmans almost made me forget I paid $21 for a cocktail.
I really want to side-step the fact that I inhaled the complementary trio of nibbles, but in all honesty, it did indeed amplify my experience. My friend & I were slightly devastated when the busboy took away our stainless steel bowl of cheese straws...until we realized he was just re-stocking us. The interior was dark, intimate & filled with small tables for two. At 22/23, my friend & I were by far the youngest people inside but it was such a refreshing change. The vibe is very old world New York & the crowd consisted of the casually chic Upper East Side couples.
A pianist was situated in the middle of Bemelmans & played a variety of upbeat songs (comically reading music off of an iPad - oh, technology). That being said, it's more of a place to relax & sip on cocktails with someone opposed to having a serious conversation. The decor was unique (Madeline drawings graced the walls) & while this may not be my go-to spot in the summertime, it made for a charming winter post-work escape.
If you're willing to drop $20+ dollars on a drink, you'll love this place.
My friend and I accidentally came across it when he was trying to complete his NY to-do list before he moved away. He had written down the Carlyle Hotel's lobby. So we walk into the hotel and see absolutely no lobby. We wander around for a bit then decide to open the door to the bar. It's about 2pm, mind you, so we walk in and there's one couple at the bar and a small group of women at a table. I suddenly realize we are at the Madeline bar that was featured on The Layover.
The atmosphere is super classy, I felt way out of place. The bartender had a little uniform and mixed us great drinks. We didn't realize how expensive it was until we sat down but at that point there was no turning back. I got a cucumber mint drink that was probably the best drink I've ever had.
It was a fun adventure and I'm glad we stumbled upon this little place.
Classic, chic, elegant, old-world New York. Â
Last time, my gf and I just dropped in for a Martini after a show and it was
like entering into a secret meeting place reserved for people straight out of Gatsby.
Its like 'Breakfast at Tiffany's.' Â Only better. Â
It's magic. Â
Can you say 'Oh, I love New York!'
This is quintessential. Â
Sigh.
The Gallery is a nice place to have good conversation with friends. Â The Bar is too loud to have any meaningful conversations, but perfect to enjoy live piano playing. Â
I'm not a big drinker - had the Passion Royale and loved it! Â A couple girlfriends and I munched on crab cakes and oysters on the half shell - I've had better, but no complaints.
I live nearby, so it's convenient - would probably never come back if I lived further - but will bring my parents here when they visit next time.
Take a walk back in time here. From the murals on the walls to the piano player in the middle of the room. The tables are small and meant for 1-3 people, 4 was certainly a tight squeeze. I was there early in the evening, but the place was already packed with "the quintessential Upper East Side crowd."
Order a specialty cocktail or a glass of champagne, sit back, and enjoy the old New York scene that evolves around you. Just make sure you bring someone you really like because you will certainly leave a little lighter in the wallet...
I had a drink with my gf here yesterday and I'm glad we came.
The setting is wonderful. The Bemelmans paintings on the walls are beautiful, the lighting is perfect and the piano bar does bring you back in time. It's a beautiful place to sip a special cocktail with a special person. Everything is expensive (I wouldn't eat here), but worth every penny.
I had the Old Cuban and my girlfriend had the Passion Royale. They were both outstanding. They were accompanied by chips and nuts.
The service was very professional and didn't feel pretentious. We got there around 5:30p (Saturday) and had to wait about 20 minutes before being seated, but we were happy we were given a table. It's a special place... so special John Kerry was there, too.
I think they should do something about their reservation/waiting line policy. They don't have any place for the people waiting to be seated and it gets crowded on those steps. Not really what you would expect in such classy place.
Recommended.
Had a stressful day at work? Â Been on a plane all day and feel like you have been through a meat grinder? Â Or maybe just need somewhere to unwind? Â
Go no further than the iconic Bemelman's Bar at the Carlyle Hotel. Â It may be in a hotel, but this the Upper East Side, not times Square or Central Park South, so this place is not littered with tourists. Â The entrance is an unassuming door off the lobby. Â Duck inside and you are transported to another world, a world of old school charm and fawning, attentive service. Â There is a piano in the middle of the room with a guy playing it and singing standards. Â There are no windows, and it is very dimly lit. Â Well, it is dark in there. Â But that is ok, as your eyes will adjust. Â
I was seated at a corner table along a wall and sat on a comfy leather seat. Â I ordered a Goose and soda and they did it up nice: Â tall, narrow glass with ice and the vodka poured in, but not the soda, which was brought in a separate bottle - for me to add so I can make the drink exactly how I like it. Â Fantastic. Â My server was always available, but did not come by and hover at all during my visit.
I came in stressed with a lot on my mind and Bemelmans bar put my mind at ease and made me feel relaxed and refreshed. Â
Upon leaving, I was ready to head one more time into the breach, head held high.
Somehow I've managed to have two wondrous afternoons here without paying a dime. Shouts to the crazy English dude for the first and only date, and to my dear friend and colleague for the recent biz meeting.
Both times that I stopped by, it was a Sunday, I ordered one expert Bloody Mary and left truly tipsy and happy. All menu items are pricy, and I think my vodka concosh rings in at $20.
NGAF about the money though, because the atmosphere is unlike anything else in NYC. Come here for good conversations with a friend, the bartender, and strangers. People watch your face off. I love the crowd, very Gossip Girl minus Chuck Bass wistful stares. This of course disappoints me, but the piano playing that starts late afternoon makes up for it.
Expect lovely music, cocktails of quality and price, and an atmosphere of required class.
As I only come through NYC on spurts for work, I'm not entirely familiar with the historic institutes of the city. Clearly, this place has established itself in a unique position for luxury and relaxation.
Tactically, I wouldn't recommend bringing more than a few people here. This spot is better for 2-3 at a time. The drinks were great, even if expensive. They were well balanced, not overly sweet or sugary.
This is a great place to have a drink, relax and see some great Jazz.
An evening at Bemelman's Bar will transport you to another time. We caught the Loston Harris Trio the other day and it was magnificent. Amazing music, great vibe, all set in a landmark room in the Carlyle Hotel. What more can you ask for?
The drinks were indeed pricey, something like $90 for 5 of them, but hey, it's the Carlyle. This bar is absolutely worth checking out before it disappears into the dustbin of NY history, like so many other classic places.
This is how I always imagined New York bars would be. Â I'm in a little black dress (Audrey would be proud) sitting on a luxuriant leather seat, sipping a glass of champagne as mood (and feature) enhancing candlelight shows a bar full of beautiful people in suits, tuxedos, furs and cocktail dresses. Â A talented gentleman tinkles away at the piano, creating an elegant background to the no doubt urbane and refined conversations taking place...
Steve Martin is in the corner over there, surrounded by a coterie of admiring ladies, dapper in his tux and funky retro thick rimmed glasses. Â My date just rubbed shoulders with Al Pacino at the bar (looking a little rough and ready in a hoodie) and at a table just the other side of the piano is Jean Reno - so much taller than I realised.
I feel like a grown up! Â I feel chic and sophisticated! Â I feel effervescent from all the champagne....I feel broke from spending $150 dollars on some champagne and bar snacks....but its worth it! Â Worth every penny to soak up the atmosphere at this New York gem.
It has come to my attention that perhaps my previous review of Bemelman's was, maybe, half-assed. Â Or not on point. Since I just happened to be there the other night, I'll elaborate on the Bemelman's experience.
1) Seriously, get a martini. Don't be led astray by the cocktail menu. Just order a proper martini. It is by far the best deal: you get a little refill, the remains from the shaker, on ice, so you're getting like 1 1/2 drinks, which is important when drinks are in the $19 range. Â Not so for the drinks off the cocktail menu.
1a) As a funny aside, this month's special cocktail is the daiquiri. Anyone else remember the episode of 90210 (the original, not that god-forsaken thing on now) when Brenda goes to a bar and she panics, and orders a banana daiquiri? Â That's what I was picturing, in Bemelman's. Â
1.a.i) Anyone want to dress up in 90s clothes (I'm thinking a nice floral baby-doll dress and some Docs for myself) and order a banana daiquiri with me?
2) The bar snacks are spectacular. Â And I don't worry about eating these, since every group gets its own little bar-snack-susan (like a lazy susan, except it doesn't spin), with a nice nut mix, chips, and these crispy things. Â And the waiters are quite good about refilling. Which is important, since at $19 for a drink, I can't afford dinner.
3) It's loud when there's a piano player, which makes it hard to hold a conversation. Not a good place to catch up with good friends. Use this to your advantage if you're going on a date with attractive (hopefully wealthy so this person pays) eye-candy, so that you don't actually have to talk to him. Â
4) If you are a woman, and you are alone, you will likely get hit on at the bar. By someone who is old enough to be your grandparent. Â Who might try to engage you in conversation by asking you where you went to college, and then will mention that his daughter is considering going there. So, if you're looking to pull an Anna Nichole Smith, Bemelmann's might not be a bad choice. Otherwise, not a place for single ladies.
5) If you're at the bar and it's crowded, they will take your card. Which means when your tardy friend finally shows up and orders, his order will get charged to your card, most likely. Â Another reason, in addition to #4, not to be the first to arrive.
6) Bunnies.
Oh, yeah, it's still a good place to go, pre- or post-Met, especially if you work in a museum and don't have to pay museum admission.
Arriving on a cold Tuesday night, the last thing I expected to find was a line to gain entrance to Bemelman's Bar. I queued up behind a woman in a floor length fur coat who seemed similarly surprised at the popularity of this Upper East Side institution.
Despite my wearing an unfancy knee-length Helly Hansen puffy coat (the warmest one I own and thus a must on this cold night), they seated me before the other two members of my party arrived. I enjoyed the musical stylings of the piano man and ordered a whiskey smash while I waited. Once my drinking companions arrived, I called for an agave gingerita. Say what you will about the crowd, but the cocktails are expertly crafted and done so quickly.
What you can expect:
- A distinctly uptown feel
- Better than average bar snacks including potato chips
- ~$19 cocktails that are worth their price tags
Decidedly not an establishment for loud drunken antics, Bemelman's is better suited to composed conversation with cultivated comrades. If you want to whisper secrets, this is a good place to do it.
I can't say I've experienced better, since I've never paid $20 for a drink before. Â Definitely high class, and the boys weren't dressed for the occasion.
If you want to be ignored, show up in a t-shirt and jeans. Â It works!
But my drink was delicious, refreshing, and just the right hint of sweetness.
Those in the know.... Â know better than to visit Bemelman's.
Cocktail nerds, bartenders, aficionados, and refined palates need not apply; the legendary Carlyle Hotel bar fell from grace about five years ago, and hasn't come back. Â If you've never been here, then 1 visit is worth your while. Â But for those in search of a great drinking experience, you will find better results elsewhere. Â
The Carlyle clearly, and unfortunately, uses its former status to prey on two classes of patron. Â The first are tourists, awed by big city lights, happy to put on their best clothes, and ashamed to admit they didn't see the sign noting a $30 cover charge (per person), just to sit at the bar. Â The second class is the obscenely rich- people who have a Centurion credit card and a thin mistress dripping in gold, yet aren't creative enough to venture out & discover some of New York's top establishments. Â
If you do go, the martini should be the only drink in your lineup. Â The others are pre-made with the likes of plastic-bottled juices, or are improperly measured out. Â Two drinks that are worth mention (the Old Cuban, and Gin-Gin Mule), were invented by Audrey Saunders when she was working there. Â You'll have a better time getting the real version at her bar, Pegu Club, and experience what the Carlyle Hotel likely represented to its guests 50 years ago. Â
Final verdict- if you're reading this, we probably share the same interests. Â I might recommend Employees Only, Pegu Club, PDT, or even the Campbell Apartment for a classic bar experience. Â But Bemelmen's, sadly, is a waste of time & money.
This is my favorite bar to go to for observing people. People who spend cash money on outlandish, gold monogrammed velvet loafers.
The cocktails are terrific and strong, and the food is delicious and meaty too, but you really just go for the dreamy lighting, Ludwig Bemelmans' murals, and live piano music (this is otherwise known and heavily referred to as "ambiance," see: every review below). One time though, the piano player was a woman who made a lot of calling-upon-ye-Zeus arm flourishes. I think those movements were the pianist version of Kegel exercises.
I appreciate the waiters' proper white jackets. They're attentive, polite, and all the things you would expect from a place that can call itself an "establishment". One of the more charming aspects about Bemelmans is that there are regulars who come for dinner and seem to share a genuine rapport with the staff.
The last time I went was for my birthday a few months ago, and it was the perfect place to end up after a day spent gawking at skeletons at the Natural History Museum, walking through the park in the rain.
Classic rolling 20s Manhattan with very new world prices! Every night they have a very Frank Sinatra-esque performer on the piano which just completes the overall perfection of this place--put this is $35 per person just to sit down and listen! Can be a pricey evening, but sometimes you just need a break from the ghetto fab MePa and are in the mood for a little Franky boy.
They also make a mean martini that is completely up to snuff in my book. AWESOME date place!
Madeline, Madeline, two rows of girls in a straight line! Â Here, you can see Madeleine murals on the wall, with an angry nun leading them through the "park." Â Mr. Bemelman, the author of the Madeline series, painted the murals, which were updated in September, 2007 and his whimsical images cover all of the bar's walls. Â They feature an elephant ice skating and a rabbit in a suit coat, smoking a cigar. Â I loved it.
The bar room is dark, wiith soft light offered only by  the table lamps and some wall lights which dimly light the space and also highlight the murals. Â
If the waiters weren't wearing white gloves, I seem to remember them to be - if that gives you a clue to the type of service you're getting here. The whole thing just oozes elegance, though it was quite welcoming. Â Cute little silver whirling snack holders are placed on each shiny table top so you can consume chips, nuts and spicey chex sort of crackers as you imbibe. Â
The piano player definitely added to the charming atmosphere and I felt like i could spend quite a long evening cozied up in a leather booth. Â It's old world romantic and it feels like someone very important could be hiding in a couch crevice next to you. Â Elaine Stritch does live here, Woody Allen plays the sax every Monday across the way in the hotel Cafe and John F. Kennedy carried out part of his affair with Marilyn Monroe within this hotel. Â It's definitely a New York legend.
My Passion Royale cocktail, made with passion fruit, infused vodka and champagne, was quite lovely.  Too bad each drink cost $19!  Anyway, a trip to Bemelman's is well worth it for a special evening and to step into some previous chapters in New York history and society life.  It's especially worthwhile  if you can head to the Cafe Carlyle afterwards for some live jazz!
SEEN IN:  The "Sex and the City" movie.  She has a drink with Louise at       Â
         the bar.
The four of us walked in on a Sunday evening after an afternoon of shopping (Bergdorf's, etc.). Â My wife and I were with another couple (L. and P.- native New Yorkers). People were in there, but there were a few tables and booths open. Â We asked for the booth near the door and the waitress replied that it was reserved for later at 8:00. "Well darling," L replied, "I promise we will be out before then. Â We just want one or two of your splendid drinks before we go on to our dinner reservation."
She looked us over and decided we were nice enough folk, even though my friends long hair and beard hadn't been trimmed in a few days. Â She gave us the booth. And as I sat down I gazed on the wonders painted on the wall and was told the story of Bemelmen's Bar (you can read it elsewhere, this isn't about that).
Then after my first wonderfully made Manhattan and a handful or four of the trio of snacks they brought, I sauntered to the men's room. Â On the way I noticed a couple of very worse-for-the-wear looking guys at one of the tables in an alcove with several beautiful women around them.
Back at the table we began chatting with the waitress when she brought our second round and the bill we requested. Â She was apologizing for the attitude when we came in, "a VIP has the table reserved for 8:00 and it has to be cleared 30 minutes before hand." Â "Who?" L asked. Â "Well, the King of Sweden." She replied quietly. No joke.
We leisurely finished our drinks and started leaving for dinner. Â On the way out, "P" (L's wife) asked nonchalantly "did you see Keith and Mick in the other room?". Â "you mean Keith Richards and Mick Jagger?". "Yes, we see them here every so often.".
I love how New Yorkers don't even blink an eye when they come across someone like that. Â
That is an abbreviated version of my Bemelmen's story.
Oh the bar? Â Great drinks, great service, and a cool place of refinement and sophistication. Â Properly lit - dim but not dark.
I need to go back when I have more time.
I came to Bemelman's because I love the art of Ludwig Bemelman (and because Luchow's is no longer open). Â I stayed because the ambience was fantastic. Â It was like a secret, romantic, dimly-lit hideaway with a great pianist and super expensive drinks.
There's something about being in the Carlyle in New York, sipping on a $18 cocktail and listening to "Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered" . Â I will be back.
We were a bit surprised to find the cozy space overwhelmed by a jazz trio on a Tuesday night, but not nearly as surprised as we were when a waiter slapped a "$20 per person cover charge after 9:30pm" sign on our table just as our butts hit the banquette. Huh!? Doing a little quick math --- $20 per drink, $40 in covers, and another $20 for the burger I planned to order --- I quickly realized this round of drinks would happen some other night, before the cover charge kicked in.
We came back -- with friends -- early on Saturday, before going out to dinner. We still ended up spending the $100 we balked at paying before, but it bought us five drinks, a table for four, and brilliantly attentive service. It was a lovely scene, drinking our spendy cocktails surrounded by Ludwig Bemelmans' dreamlike murals, served by white-jacketed waiters under a rosy light. It simply oozed old-school cocktail charm.
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