Best of Lounge 2023

And just like that, 2023 is a wrap. This past year, the Loungerati visited several outstanding new joints like the Press Club Grill and Albert's Bar in addition to seasoned NYC haunts like Old Town Bar, Hudson Malone's, Minetta Tavern, The Rum House, Jimmy's Corner, and of course the venerable  red sauce destination - Bamonte's. 

We also visited many noteworthy bars in other cities like Mac's Club Deuce in Miami, Best Intentions in Chicago, Copper Shaker in Tampa, Shore Leave and Bar Volpe in Boston, and The American Bar at the Savoy Hotel in London. 

During our journey, we discovered plenty of new lounge worthy bands, enjoyed sublime libations, dressed to impress, met new friends, and said good bye to several legendary New York bartenders. It really was a terrific year! 

So, please raise a glass of bubbles to Loungerati's 2023 Best of Lounge Awards:

Lounge Scene Awards 

Loungerati's Annual Red Sauce Dinner at Bamonte's

Diane L. Naegel Award for Best Lounge or Vintage Event: LOUNGERATI 2ND ANNUAL RED SAUCE DINNER at BAMONTE'S, Williamsburg 

Honorable Mention:  GREEN FAIRY at RED ROOM, East Village

Charlie Roman Hot Club performing at The Rum House

Viva La Musica Award for Best Jazz, Lounge, or Swing Band: CHARLIE ROMAN HOT CLUB 

Honorable Mention: ISAAK JAMES & THE BAND

Most Sought After Ingredient or Bar Tool for the Home Bar: HEAVEN HILL Bottle in Bond 7yr Bourbon 

Honorable Mention: Foraged Ramps for Gibson cocktails - IYKYK

Best Dressed Lounger: NEAL "EFF" BLANGIARDO, Proprietor of Fine Haberdashery at Eff's Style Emporium    

Honorable Mention: Tiki Adam Kolesar, Jungle Bird Extraordinaire

Cocktail Bars and Lounges

Best New NYC Cocktail Bar or Lounge: THE PRESS CLUB GRILL, Herald Square

Honorable mention: ALBERT'S BAR, Midtown East

Barman  Extraordinaire Troy serving up Mojitos
with a side of panache at The Rum House in NYC

Best NYC Cocktail Bar or Lounge: THE RUM HOUSE, Times Square

Honorable Mention: DUTCH KILLS BAR, Long Island City, Queens

The  delicious French Dip at Minetta Tavern
is only available during lunch service on Thursday & Fridays!

Best Barfood: THE FRENCH DIP at MINETTA TAVERN, Greenwich Village

Honorable Mention: Grilled Alligator Sausage at ALLIGATOR PEAR, Midtown

Best of the NYC Hotel Bars: LOBBY BAR at the Hotel Chelsea, Chelsea

Honorable Mention: King Cole Bar at the St. Regis Hotel, Midtown

Best NYC Restaurant Bars: HAWKSMOOR NYC, Gramercy

Honorable Mention: SARDI's 2nd Floor Bar, Midtown

Best Cocktail of 2023:  DUKES MARTINI at LOBBY BAR, Hotel Chelsea

Honorable Mention: THE MARTINIQUE at THE PRESS CLUB GRILL, Herald Square

Editors and Staff Picks:

Best Seat in the House: "REGULAR" SEAT at THE RUM HOUSE, Times Square

Honorable mention: Any bar seat at OLD TOWN BAR, Union Square

No better way to spend waiting for your train
 than at the Irish Exit in Moynihan Hall at NY's Penn Station.
Pint and a shot will do!!

Best Drink for the Road: GUINNESS + POWERS at IRISH EXIT, Midtown

Honorable mention: HANKY PANKY, AMERICAN BAR at SAVOY Hotel, London

Best Dive Bar aka "The Gutter Award": JIMMY'S CORNER, Times Square

Honorable Mention: MAC's CLUB DEUCE, South Beach, Miami

For 2024, the Loungerati are focusing on quality over quantity: 

- We will not frequent any bar, restaurant, or lounge that requires reservations for bar seats or imposes a time limit on occupying a bar seat. Bar seats should always be for walk-ins and as long as we are paying, we can sit there. 

- We will keep supporting establishments that get it right

- We will embrace the fellowship of true friends and invest our time wisely 

- We will be on the lookout for outstanding hospitality at authentic establishments that are not flash in the pan. The pineapple pin is awarded to the best.

Til' the next Manhattans!

- The Loungerati

Wishing legendary Sardi's bartender Joe Petrsoric
the best in retirement! End of an era!!