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What's The Scene Like at The Setai Fifth Ave's Bar On Fifth?

Go To The Hotel's Web Site Where: 400 Fifth Avenue [map], New York, NY, United States, 10018
December 3, 2010 at 10:30 AM | by | Comment (1)

With rooms hovering well above $500 a night--$895 a night next Friday night!--the Setai Fifth Ave has been out of our price range. So last night we did the next best thing to checking in and dropped by the hotel's Bar on Fifth to check it out instead.

We were meeting friends who work nearby, and the location on 36th Street and Fifth Ave clearly plays a huge part in the mix. We arrived at 5 p.m. when the slick looking bar was still fairly quiet. Not 15 minutes later, however, a group of men in suits arrived, and then more arrived, and soon the corner of the bar right next to us was filled with a bunch of obnoxious dudes complaining about their beer and asking the bartender for more samples of red wine.

As the night progressed, the bar filled up, with both professionals and slightly bewildered looking tourists. We suppose we shouldn't be surprised: after-work hours in Midtown are always going to give you this bizarre mix of personalities--especially in a hotel bar.

If you're looking for a pretty spot to have a quick drink, the Bar on Fifth does the job. If you're looking for some place to settle in and stay for awhile, we suggest arriving early--between 5–6 p.m. like we did--so you can snag one of the cozy white lounge chairs in a corner or one of the comfortable leather bar stools.

As for the booze, there are seven signature cocktails for $16 each, and a long list of classic cocktails. We sampled the Empire from the signature list--Pierre Ferrand cognac, Cruzan Single Barrel Estate Rum, pear nectar and fresh lime juice. It was refreshing if not terribly exciting.

Beers average $7 each, and are served in those tall, thin beer glasses that always make us think we're about to spill it all over ourselves. (Nothing wrong with a mug or regular old pint glass--just sayin'.)

The wine list was robust, and our bartender knew his stuff, helping suggesting a dry white based on our friend's tastes.

By 7 p.m., we were ready to leave--partly due to the crowd closing in on us to place their orders at the bar. In retrospect, one of those corner couches might have been a better option for our girly catch-up, but we blame the suit-dorks, not the staff, for making our time perched at the bar less than ideal.

Have you been to the Bar on Fifth yet? Found a good time to drop by? Let us know in comments below.

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Rooms can be cheaper

I have been to the bar- good scene with the correct amount of 'mellow' and 'happening.'  I also stayed at the hotel too- but for much cheaper than 500-850. I used jet luxury resorts and got a room for 249.  Money.
kmartin6733 on January 28, 2011 at 4:32 PM #Permalink

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