The Lobby Bar at the Bowery Hotel

Plush velvet couches, Middle Eastern tile work and green sprays of palm leaves make this ornate bar among the city’s most inviting settings for a drink. The bartenders mix solid (albeit pricey) cocktails, including a tasty rendition of the classic sidecar (cognac, orange liqueur, lemon juice and a sugared rim) and the namesake Bowery—a floral concoction that layers Bulldog gin with Dubonnet and a splash of champagne. Unfortunately, only hotel guests can order food (from the adjacent Gemma restaurant) in the bar area, though perhaps a skilled negotiator can convince someone to bend the rules.