Hotel bars have long had a reputation for offering over-priced, unremarkable cocktails, frequented only by guests too tired or unadventurous to brave the streets of a new city in search of anything better.
But over the last few years, a wave of incredible new hangouts have come onto the scene to change the way we view hotel bars. For proof, look no further than our favorites in Australia, Los Angeles, New York and Las Vegas.
Head down under to the hip designer boutique hotel QT Sydney and grab a seat at the most stylish restaurant Gowings Bar & Grill. Located in the heart of the city, this dark and bubbly restaurant offers up a world class wine list paired with European brasserie food. The open kitchen atmosphere gives you VIP views into the kitchen while you lounge in the retro designed seating. Perfect for singles and groups, Gowings Bar & Grill give you a true taste of what Sydney has to offer. Several celebrities are always spotted having a beer or cocktail at the bar including Ben Stiller, Toni Collette and Dita Von Teese.
Stop in to LA’s ritziest celeb favorited hang out in the heart of Westwood. Known for its leading luxury experience and stylish entertainment, the W Hotel offers the highest quality dining. With a sleek design and upscale menu, STK LA gives guest the ultimate LA experience while sipping on hand crafted cocktails and tasting world renowned dishes from Chef Robert Liberato. The dark ambiance sets the mood for a romantic table for two, while plush white booths give a cozy atmosphere for larger groups to toast to the night. Celebs spotted at STK LA include Hilary Clinton, Oprah, Reese Witherspoon, Nicole Kidman, Johnny Depp, Sophia Bush, Brittany Snow, CeeLo Greene and Wiz Khalifa.
Winnie’s Jazz Bar in New York City boasts a refined hand-crafted cocktail list that includes a seasonal selection of beers and wines from around the world, and a nightly dose of live jazz performances. Paying homage to the neighborhood’s storied past, Winnie’s Jazz Bar derives its name from Winifred T. MacDonald, who ran a bustling tea salon in the early 1900’s at the Colony Arcade Building which is now reincarnated as the Refinery Hotel.
Plush couches, candle light, and leather armchairs invite visitors to relax and enjoy cocktails with prohibition flair, while listening to live jazz music by NYC-based musicians Tara O’Grady, Scout Ford, and more. From single malt flights to post-dinner drinks like the “black dirt apple jack” to a variety of blended liquors, wine and beers, guests can select any drink to fit the mood of the music playing.
With its prime location, timeless setting and live music, Winnie’s Jazz Bar is the quintessential New York experience and the perfect place to spend a night out in the city.
Take a stroll down the iconic Las Vegas strip and grab a seat at the ultra-hip and swanky cocktail lounge at The Cosmopolitan. CliQue Bar & Lounge serves as an escape from the outside world, offering artisanal cocktails and house-made mixers. Adorned with dark wood, comfortable couches and posh finishing touches, creating a lavish look, this is the one stop shop for all things swanky. Mixology from the mind of the most innovative bartender, Mike Monreal, will take center stage as CliQue Bar & Lounge reinvents the lounge experience with table side mixology. Aside from classic drinks, CliQue Bar & Lounge will offer a one-of-a-kind cocktail menu, with fresh juices and garnishes to give guests the VIP treatment.