HotelChatter

The VIP “caves” look like a great place to drink out the next winter storm, but only if you’re prepared to drop some cash: they require a $350 minimum. Out in the main lounge, the cocktails aren’t exactly cheap at $17 a pop, but they do fortify you well on a cold winter’s night. We enjoyed a glass of Polar Champagne (Veuve Clicquot, Rhubarb Bitters and a sugar cube) and a Shot of Polar (Citrus vodka, blood orange puree and St. Germain)—and also sampled a friend’s Endurance, a spin on the Old-Fashioned that reminded us of a medicinal hot toddy.

The bar menu includes tomato-oil grilled shrimp, calamari, and crispy potatoes with fonduta and truffle oil. (We vote for adding smoked salmon to this list, if only to keep the polar bear theme going.)

Apart from having a cozy bunker to get sloshed in as the storm began, our favorite part of the Polar Lounge was the large-scale paintings of polar bears, one that hangs on the main wall and another above the stairs leading down to the lounge. We wanted to take a photo to show you but unfortunately the hyper-vigilant guy on the door wouldn’t let us. Next time we'll pack our spy camera, and try to catch the bears in their new habitat on the sly.