THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BARS ON THE UPPER EAST SIDE
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN “GRABBING A COCKTAIL” AND A MOMENT.
Having grown up on the Upper East Side, I can safely say we haven’t always been known for beautiful bars. These days, though, it’s just a matter of knowing where to look.
Yes, there are speakeasies … but that’s not what this is about. This is about walking into a restaurant and immediately finding yourself in a moment. A beautiful one. Settling into a seat at the bar, ordering something well-crafted, and realizing the space around you is just as considered as what’s in your glass.
NIGHTLY’S.
Nightly’s 1496 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028
Exuding a polished sexy confidence while still feeling trendy and accessible, Nightly’s has an undeniable presence on the Upper East Side. You can absolutely dine there, but it’s just as much about the bar. Walk in, pull up a camel-colored, leather-topped stool, order a Misfit Martini (or different craft cocktail: scroll to page 2 of the menu), and be a part of the vibe.
Bask in the flattering golden glow of the overhead, low-hanging ruched burgundy fabric-lined lamps as you sip your cocktail on the buttressed, art deco–leaning bar that feels both structured and inviting.
The space upscale yet undeniably current, a place where the bar isn’t just part of the experience, it is the experience.
MARLOW EAST.
Marlow East 1022 Lexington Avenue, New York, NY 10021
Marlow East exudes polished in a way that feels easy and not overdone. It’s upscale, composed, and confident. The second you walk in, you’re met with this glowing marble bar that immediately grasps your attention … and never let’s it go.
It’s such a showstopper. The weight of the faceted marble wraps around the bar anchors the room. A soft light emits from within a framed warm wood edging that adds just enough depth to create an inviting elegance. Look at the bar for a moment. Can you see yourself, in a smart outfit, confidently leaning forward in one of the cream-toned bar chairs legs crossed with a toe on the gold footrests, sipping a Melon Vesper (check out their full cocktail menu), under the flattering light of the globe pendants overhead? There’s a quiet drama to it. You’ll love it.
BEMELMANS BAR.
Bemelmans Bar 35 E 76th St, New York, NY 10021
Classically whimsical, Bemelmans Bar is one of those places that reminds you of what New York has always done so well. Tucked inside The Carlyle, it doesn’t try to reinvent anything, it just leans fully into what it is: timeless, intimate, and impossibly charming.
The room is completely wrapped in Ludwig Bemelmans’ hand-painted Madeline murals, stretching wall to wall in this warm, golden glow that instantly pulls you in. Deep leather banquettes, small glowing table lamps with shades that mimic the walls, and that perfectly classic bar setup to create a space that feels equal parts cozy and elevated. It’s dim in the right way, the kind of lighting that softens everything and makes you want to stay longer than you planned.
Fall in love with teh sounds of the piano filling the room, order a Jackie O (or another incredible cocktail on this menu), and linger. This isn’t about trends or newness, it’s about an atmosphere that’s been perfected over time. A place where the moment isn’t created for you… it’s already been waiting.
UVA.
Uva 1486 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10075
Uva has that warm, candlelit charm that makes you feel like you’ve stumbled into a neighborhood spot you somehow always knew about. It’s an Italian restaurant at its core, but it leans wine bar in a way that feels effortless. Nothing is overly styled, it’s simply deeply inviting from the moment you walk in.
The bar itself is rich, dark wood with a lived-in patina, lined with simple stools. Overhead, soft pendant lights and chandeliers cast a golden, slightly moody glow that makes everything feel a little more intimate. While there are a few cocktails, the wine list is the real draw with an expansive, exploratory selection, of over 40 wines by the glass. It’s the kind of place where a glass of red turns into another, where the lighting does you favors, and where the bar quietly becomes the whole night. It’s cozy, grounded, and undeniably romantic in that understated Upper East Side kinda way.
CAFÉ MAUD.
Café Maud 1640 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028
Café Maud is the perfect blend of Upper East Side energy with that slightly effortful, effortlessly trendy East Village vibe. The space is polished without feeling precious, social without being loud, and makes you want to stay awhile.
When you walk in, you’ll find yourself moving around the soft-toned, slatted wood curves of the main bar as it subtly defines the flow of the room. Clean lines, rounded edges, and simple pendant lights keep the look modern and approachable, while the open, airy layout brings in that slightly downtown, walk-in-and-linger kind of feel. Claim a stool, explore the cocktial menu, order a Good Drive… and then another.
Upstairs, there’s a second bar, The Domino Room, that shifts the mood entirely. The lighting drops, the space feels more tucked away, and it leans into a more intentional “going out for a drink” energy rather than the “you found yourself here” ease of downstairs. It’s a quieter, more focused version of the same aesthetic, perfect when you want something a little more contained.
It’s the kind of place where you might plan for one drink and end up staying for two or three. Bright downstairs, moodier upstairs, and quietly stylish all around. It’s a bar that blends uptown polish with downtown energy in a way that just works.
LA VOGLIA.
La Voglia 1645 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10065
La Voglia leans into the type of grandeur you’d expect of the Upper East Side. There’s an immediate, upscale elegance that neighborhood regulars clearly appreciate. It’s an Italian restaurant, but the bar is no add-on, it’s its own scene.
It’s striking. A full wall of backlit bottles sets the tone the moment you walk in. The bar carries that same presence, with clean, architectural, beveled panels that alternate between vertical and horizontal lines, a softly lit base, and sculptural high-backed chairs that give it a composed, tailored feel. Everything is symmetrical, elevated, and built to be noticed.
Sit down, order a classic cocktail like the Penicillin No. 1645 (explore their full cockail menu here), and let the room do the rest. You’ll feel elevated too … and not just because of the height of the bar stools.
THE PENROSE.
The Penrose 1590 2nd Ave, New York, NY 10028
Once upon a time, the Upper East Side didn’t have a true watering hole for the neighborhood’s younger, going-out crowd. In 2014, The Penrose opened its doors, and that changed everything. It brought a sense of cool to an otherwise old-feeling neighborhood and quietly set the tone for a more relaxed, social bar scene.
With curated vintage art and antiqued mirrors hand-selected from upstate antique shops, the space beautifully balances old world charm with modern-day ease. Wrapped in worn wood that gives it that been-here-forever feel, the bar curves and stretches through the front half of the room, naturally inviting you in. Simple stools line the edge, overhead fans spin slowly, and the cocktail menu is especially inviting (next time I go, I’m trying The Piazza). If the bar is full, don’t worry, there’s another, dare I say even cooler one, tucked in the back. The space is beautifully kept, but there’s an underlying sense that it has hosted its fair share of great nights (maybe because I’ve played my part in them).
Go for a great drink and stay for the energy, the familiarity, and the sense that you can linger as long as you want. You’ll see, The Penrose has a way of quietly becoming your go-to without you even realizing it.