My ideal cocktail bar experience. The menu slaps. I ordered the Cebu Island first which was exactly the kind of drink I love but done in a way I hadn't had before, which is huge for me. After that I spoke with the bartender, Chase, for a little while and I let him talk me into trying the Elmhurst, which turned out to be an excellent suggestion. The atmosphere of this place is great, I love the pictures all over the wall and the cozy feel, and the menu is great, but the guys behind the bar locked this as a five out of five for me. Good service, good conversation, good suggestions, and I got to learn a little bit about clarified cocktails. I should note I did also get the burger which was truly an exceptional burger. This place is a must and I WILL be back. read more

Good, classy place for a cocktail with great ambience and good service at The Fifth Avenue Hotel. Enjoyed the complimentary popcorn, a good glass of Côtes du Rhône and the Portrait Burger. Burger was good though failed to supplant the Black Label at Minetta Tavern as my favorite in NYC (which also comes with fries, unlike here where you are charged extra though they are thicker, more like potato wedges). The burger did have a nice soft bun but was served closer to medium rather than medium rare as ordered which impacted my overall enjoyment of the flavor and scorecard. I would come back for a cocktail. read more

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Cool vibes and better drinks. Went for a birthday drink - the cocktails are def a bit unique and have a few exotic flavors involved. Would def come back - RSVP recommended. read more

The Portrait Bar - Menu - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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The Portrait Bar is a cocktail lounge inside the Fifth Avenue Hotel next to Cafe Carmellini. It is decorated with an array of small portraits lining the walls with couches and armchairs crammed together in a dimly lit drawing room. The place is a lot louder than I expected. The service is refined. The menu features whimsical travel-inspired cocktails with little connection to the places they are named after. The Kolkata, India drink piqued my interest because my family is from there but the drink was a weird attempt at making a mango lassi into a cocktail. It tasted like a piña colada. The dry aged burger was very tasty. The patty was cooked and seasoned well and the cheddar cheese added a salty umami flavor to the bite. read more

The Portrait Bar - Kolkata, India cocktail - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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A beautifully decorated bar/restaurant located inside the 5th avenue hotel. Wonderful staff (waitress was just ok), smaller than you anticipate but feels cozy. The drinks were decent, the French onion dip is served with oversized chips which was good but nothing out of this world. Hot dogs were ok ( wouldn't try those again), the burger was delicious, cooked to my preference & was well balanced. The fries were a nice surprise not over cooked salted well & came accompanied by ketchup & a vinegary aioli. Although I enjoyed my meal and drinks, for a place that is a tough reservation to score & a little overpriced I expected the food to be a bit better. read more

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Great spot for a late night drink with cozy,cool vibes. I got the white cosmo mocktail and it was the best mocktail I think I've ever had!! It was made to perfection. I am glad I tried some of the food- the burger, French onion dip, fries and tuna tartare but when I go back I would opt for drinks and fries and just enjoy the atmosphere and the company. I liked that most of the seats were couches, but keep in mind it's more or a lounge than a bar depending where you are sat. Service was great! read more

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The vibes are immaculate. The menu is well intentioned but the location names of the cocktails do not really correspond to the ingredients. For example, peppercorn in the Cebu Phillipines drink and star anise in the Japanese drink is odd and not accurate. The best one was the Elmhurst. The bites are better. The tuna tatar and foie gras (mousse with strawberry) was great. Free popcorn with everything seasoning was a nice touch. read more

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I wouldn't say the drinks are my absolute favorite (they are all on the stronger and heavier side, even the cebu cocktail which is clarified), but the vibes and ambiance were absolutely fantastic. Not too loud, comfortable space, easy to hear people -- you'd be surprised that this could be hard to come by in nyc. But the absolute star of the show was the burger!! Actually one of the best burgers O ever had. The bread was so soft and crispy, and the meat was extremely juicy and tender. And the side of the fresh pickle was chefs kiss. Service was also super friendly! They gave us lots of refills of the complimentary popcorn, which was the perfect snack to accompany our drinks. read more

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Really awesome place. Delicious food & cocktails, amazing vibes, great service. One of my new favorite spots read more

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Delicious drinks! The bar has two floors and therefore a lot of room. We went to the upstairs area which was much quieter. Cocktails of the bar are named after places around the World, and tasted great! Service was also strong across the night too. read more

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Loved the place and the hotel that it's at.Drinks were all good and appreciate Connor's drink making skillsExcellent service.You must have reservations because saw some people being turned away. read more

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Came here for Amex week with my friend. We got seated very promptly and the main waiter who walked us to our table and took our order was great. The bar is super classy looking and the Amex Appleton was good. But the person who brought the cocktail to the table sprayed it while it was by the table and the whole thing went directly into my face and some into my eyes. That's a huge no no and for a nice place like this they should know how the air blows in the room and be cognizant of it when spraying the drink. The fried oysters that came out next were pretty tasteless in my opinion no real flavor profile what so ever. The tuna tartare tacos on the other hand tasted great. Overall it was a nice play to hang in if my eye wasn't stinging. read more

The Portrait Bar - Tuna tartare - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Oh how I cannot wait for the next time I can enjoy The Portrait Bar. The cocktail menu is unique yet approachable. The team, especially Aaron is so hospitable, have a question, they can answer, need a recommendation, they have two. I will say, make a reservation even for the bar, you are not about to stroll up in there and grab a seat without a wait. I ordered the burger and was not disappointed. The French onion dip was great too and the popcorn was a fun addition. If you can check it out, I highly recommend you do! read more

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I've gone here a few times and have sat in various parts of the establishment from the main room , bar and this last time on the 2nd floor , all of which is amazing and just really depends on what you're in the mood for . The main room is my favorite mostly because of larger space ( compared to the 2nd floor - perfect if you're looking for a More intimate setting , more quiet) , decor and proximity to the bar . I also enjoy sitting at the bar to watch the mixologist concoct amazing cocktails . The menu was well thought of and executed . The popcorn served is divine , can't get enough of that everything bagel seasoning ! While this time around , I came for a nightcap , I must say I was a bit surprised there was availability , I've gone here for small bites which I recall correctly as it's been months ago were good but as they're small bites , it doesn't replace a meal . Afterall this is a cocktail bar , one that I will always come back to . Service from the hosts , mixologists and staff have always been friendly, attentive and efficient which nowadays is hard to find ( especially in nyc ). read more

The Portrait Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Oh my. Where should I start. As soon as I walked in - I was greeted by name (even though it's only my second time here!). Sitting at the bar was amazing! Beth (I believe) is a great bartender and her cocktails are top notch. Well balanced, nothing extra - so perfect! Food was great too and atmosphere was fantastic! Manager was checking how we doing during visit. Overall one of the best experiences I've had for a while. Thank you read more

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I've done the Carrie Bradshaw pilgrimage, forty blocks in $400 shoes, and that was back when I still pretended $400 was a splurge. I question if that statement even holds weight anymore; I haven't bought a pair of shoes under $500 since Obama was in office. I tell you this so that when I say I believe in form over function, I mean it like scripture. Which is why, when Tyler suggested The Portrait Bar, "it's low-key, kinda artistic" I should've known I was walking into an exhibit titled Men Who Think Framed Prints and a loafers collection count as a personality. He arrived in a quilted "shacket," the kind of garment invented by marketing teams for men who think outerwear can hide man boobs. Un-Tuckit, maybe J.Crew, either way, a brand for men with six-figure 401(k)s and zero sense of craftsmanship. He claimed to be "venture, early-stage consumer tech," which sounded less like a career and more like a hobby funded by Daddy, or maybe Mommy, depending on who set up the trust. He ordered a mezcal Negroni, neat, because "ice dulls nuance." Which was funny, because he seemed to grasp dilution there but, judging from his firm's Pitchbook I skimmed while pretending to fix my lipstick, had absolutely no idea how pro-rata worked. I ordered a martini--cold, perfect, aspirational, like going on vacation with Gwyneth. The bar is stunning: dim, lacquered, the kind of place that makes you lower your voice and raise your standards. But Tyler treated it like a WeWork with velvet chairs, talking about "investing in community" while trying not to blink too hard at the caviar prices. I pretended to order the caviar when the waiter came by for round two--Tyler's face twitched like he'd just watched his unicorn portfolio company get crammed down masterfully by KKR Growth. That alone was worth the price of admission. Even if I'm having a terrible time, I usually order a second, if I don't think I or my clothes are in danger of a stain, to ego or cashmere. He offered to "split it," which was rich coming from a man whose fund did even clear the hurdle. Then he asked if I wanted to "check out the new exhibit uptown," like I'd spend another hour listening to someone who thinks a Patagonia vest and a podcast count as intellectual property. I smiled, finished my martini, and reminded myself, Hermès doesn't take TVPI as payment. You can't buy a Kelly with hypothetical carry, and I'm not in the business of mentoring men who treat self-awareness like an unfunded sidecar. So I kissed him on the cheek (charitable write-off) and left him there, illiquid, delusional, and one market cycle away from moving back to his parents' guesthouse in Greenwich. As I walked out onto the street, I thought maybe Carrie was right about one thing: I needed a post economic man. The Portrait Bar: 5/5 for lighting that forgives, martinis that make even crypto talk as palatable as Yellow Rose queso, and bartenders who understand the art of a clean exit. Tyler: 0/5--dilutive, depreciating, and proof that venture, like love, is a game of outliers. read more

Ambience: 5/5 Drinks: 4/5 Service: 4.5/5 Good: 4/5 The Portrait Bar is located inside the Fifth Avenue hotel. It is an upscale pricey bar. I had a reservation to sit at the bar. The bar does not have many seats. The drink menu is interesting. I had the Cebu Island on the recommendation of the bartender. I had the French onion dip which was pretty good. There's not a whole lot of vegetarian or vegan food options here. They serve popcorn with clarified butter free of charge which I enjoyed. The bartender was good. The rest of the staff seemed disorganized. I would come back to try another kind of drink. While this is not my favorite bar on 28th street (Little Ned is my favorite), this one isn't bad. I highly recommend a reservation as every table and bar seat was filled early on in the evening. Access to the bar and restrooms are ADA accessible. read more

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The Portrait Bar. An experience. One of the best bars I've ever enjoyed, comparable to the feeling I got when I visited Hemingways in Paris. It's that good. Get some of that popcorn they offer, it's amazing. And then just sit back and enjoy the vibe. read more

The Portrait Bar - Popcorn is so good! And the drinks were VERY well done - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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I am giving this place five stars because it was a good experience, however the hotdog is a little overhyped. I came here because their hot dog au poivre was named New York's best hotdog. Served with crispy potatoes (which I couldn't taste) and pickled onions (also couldn't really taste)--it was a nice snack for sure. I did enjoy the way the dog was composed; made it an easy bite or two, without mess. Price: 20 dollars for two dog halves that equal a whole. I also had the caesar deviled eggs, topped with sardine. I probably enjoyed these more than the hotdog. More flavor, great seasoning, salty and savory. Price: 14 dollars for three. And I had the London fries, served with malt vinegar aioli. Crispy, hot, meaty chips. I enjoyed them. Price: 16. Other parlor snacks include: stuffed olives, a prawn cocktail, foie gras tartine (not a fan of foie gras), French onion dip, caviar, tuna tartare, oysters, and "the burger," made with dry-aged beef, clothbound cheddar, special sauce, on a brioche bun. They also have a craft cocktail program. Again, I enjoyed the cocktails, but felt they were overhyped and not fantastically better than many other tasty cocktails I've had across the city. I had the Torino--Italy (herbaceous, sweet, bitter), made with Campari, cardamaro, Antica, Torino, Saba, and fig leaf soda. Also had the Oaxaca Mexico (not a margarita for margarita drinkers), made with Oaxacan gin, empirical ayuuk, contralto aperitif, lime sherbet, hibiscus, and chocolate. Not too chocolate heavy. And the Cebu Island--Phillipines (clarified cocktail with silky tropical notes), made with rum, scotch, coconut, calamansi, bay leaf, peppercorn, and midori. The cocktails here are admittedly complex. Multiple ingredients and a variable flavor profile. Various gins, scotches, fruits (cucumber, blackberry), even ear grey tea, English milk-punch gin, yuzu, cynar, sarsaparilla, cherry bark, and more. Service was reserved, but attentive and on the spot. Inside the 5th avenue hotel, with elegant and beautiful fixtures, perfect for instagram. I am glad I tried this place, but probably wouldn't go back. read more

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If you're looking for a writer's bar with old New York glam, this is your place. We sat upstairs, which was nice, but I still want to go back and sit downstairs next time. We had a round of drinks - they were strong, and you're definitely getting your money's worth. The service was excellent - no complaints there. We finished with the ice cream sandwich, and you could tell it was made with special ingredients. It wasn't your average dessert. read more

The Portrait Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Walked in without reservation on a Friday night. Was pleasantly surprised with The Portrait Bar, considering we were just looking for a cocktail bar to kill time before a reservation. The interior is very classy while still feeling welcoming. The music being played was a good mix of genres too. The drinks were really good. My favorite was the Kochi cocktail, a whiskey sour inspired drink garnished with smoked star anise. Their menu is pretty and very diverse. Service was really good and our waitress was very knowledgable about the menu. Extra points for complimentary popcorn! Will definitely be visiting again. read more

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The inside of this bar is wonderfully decorated and feels homey. It's inside the hotel if you're having trouble finding it. Found the drinks to be decent but I think the ambiance makes it stand out. read more

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The Portrait Bar was such a spectacular experience. It's such a cozy, rich atmosphere with velvet furniture and antique decor. Our server was so beyond knowledgeable on everything on the menu- including drinks, and was able to help pair the best cocktail based on our preferences. I ordered the Marrakech- a Beach Plum Gin drink with cinnamon and egg white. It was delicious and fancy. For an app we shared the French onion dip, with house made potato chips that were HUGE! The dip was thick rich and creamy. So good! We split the burger and wedge fries. The burger was simple, but was cooked and executed perfectly. Simply delicious! read more

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Great bar for a date night! We were celebrating our anniversary and they gave us a cute note at our seats. All the drinks we had were great! read more

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The vibes and ambiance was so nice here! Got the cebu and st james drink - both v strong but good. They also give out popcorn with heavy everything but the bagel seasoning - supery buttery. Would like to come back and try some of the food as well since i keep hearing good things about the burger! read more

Is it possible for one of the most heavenly magical places on Earth.... to become that much more even more magical??? YES!!!!! The Portrait Bar of recent, especially since my last review, has become a place I have returned to OFTEN; it's a perfect place to celebrate life and that's exactly what I do every time I come here. In fact? That love has trickled over to staying in the Fifth Avenue Hotel; the den of hedonism and beauty that houses the bar! Last night was unparalleled and for me to say that considering I say that EVERY time I come here? That's reallllly saying something!!! You see? I thought I had found my favorite cocktail here (the repeats of the Au Poivre Hot Dog, and Wagyu Cheeseburger are a constant. They will never NOT happen), but apparently I was wrong! There was yet a cocktail for me to try! THE COGNAC! I can't believe I have missed this in my life!! Kieran, the incredible gentleman looking out for us recommended it, and I must say that I haven't even had Brandy Crustas that nuanced in NOLA! Mind shatteringly good!!! The truth is? Firstly, I can't figure out how the 50 Best Bars of North America list came out and this was NOT in the top 50. This is a public complaint! I would like to file this with whoever is in charge with the assignments for the list! Oh sure it made the top 100 but, having had a drink at many of the contenders of the top of the list? Personal taste not withstanding? FEW compete. Trust me when I tell you that if you want to take your soul on a nice vacation; if you can do something nice for yourself simply because? Book a ticket. Book a room at the Fifth. Come downstairs and have the world outside disappear completely for a while. Thank you again, everybody . read more

The Portrait Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

It's not often that I find myself looking for a cocktail bar in Midtown. I have saved plenty of places over the years so the area is peppered with tons of flags on Google Maps. Rarely do I sift through these flags, but I was recently presented with the occasion to do so, as we had dinner nearby and were looking to end our night at a cocktail bar. The Portrait Bar is one of several well-regarded hotel bars in the area, one visited as much by hotel guests as it is by locals who want a fancy drink in Midtown. Though the drinks are solid at Portrait Bar, which impressed me most was the way it strikes a balance between old school and youthful vibes -- achieved mainly through its thoughtfully curated decor, music, and style of service. The result is a space that manages to attract people of all ages, and in such a way that no one is left feeling alienated (unless of course you do not get in). We came here at around 10/10:30 on a Saturday night. I had read some reviews that mentioned a history of difficulty gaining entry here, so I was not shocked when we walked in and were told that without a reservation, we might need to wait for at least an hour. They don't let you hang around or attempt standing room but at least there's a fairly comfortable hotel lobby to hang in should you decide to wait it out. Luckily, the wait ended up being more like 20 minutes and we got a prime table on the bottom floor. The cocktails are of course a big draw here, but equally impressive is the decor. Think old man's study/library aesthetic with all of the coziness and none of the stuffiness. Think tasseled couches, armchairs, and rugs, warm lighting, bookshelves and, yes, plenty of portraits adorning the walls. While this all sounds fabulous, it is harder to get behind $22 cocktails. The cocktails are very good but they are certainly not the best you'll find in the city. That said, the prices are on par with what you'll likely find at similar spots in the area. Fancy, midtown-adjacent hotel bar hosting wealthy travelers and businessfolk? I'd honestly be surprised if the cocktails were under $20. Not saying that makes it okay, just that it's understandable. In any case, the drinks here are creative, sophisticated and refined, with a menu that's relatively varied. I started with the Andalucia -- Spain (Gin Mare, Blanco Vermut, Sherry, Umami & Sakura Bitters), a dirty martini variation with a healthy helping of sherry. I then got the Yuma -- Arizona (Mezcal, Gran Classico, Melonade, Cocchi Americano), which is a mezcal negroni variation that feels particularly summery thanks to the melon notes provided by the lemonade. Service was excellent and the free popcorn was much appreciated as the night progressed into the later hours! read more

Nice spot to grab a drink. Enough seating that we could just walk in without reservation. Def worth to try and not miss out on the framed eye corridor to the restroom! read more

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really incredible craft cocktails and elevated service. The ambiance and decor is stunning. Service was good & recs were perfect ! read more

The Portrait Bar - hallway - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Loved the atmosphere and vibes of this bar. Went on a Monday and it was packed. Luckily we had a reservation otherwise you may be placed on a waitlist. Our server, Cheryl was very nice and gave great recommendations. She suggested an off menu cocktail for my friend. The only food item we ordered were the fries which with $16 potato wedges served with aioli and ketchups. The Kolkata drink was a blend between a pain killer and a mango lassi but not much mango in it. I like that it wasn't too sweet but I wouldn't order it again. I also got the earl grey drink which is a clarified cocktail, also wasn't too crazy about that one. Drinks were average in my opinion but the space is what stands out. There is an upstairs area that apparently isn't as nice as downstairs so if you go, sit downstairs. read more

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Beautiful ambiance and interior but the cocktails were just not it for my personal taste. I don't know what it is but nothing on the menu stood out and when I did order the St. James it just tasted off to me (nothing unique, flavors were weird together). In my opinion, this is a place that does classics really well (Manhattan, Old Fashioned etc.) and has the vibes to fit. Come here for the ambiance but I wouldn't expect world class cocktail flavors. read more

Came here on Sunday with a reservation at 6:30pm, was seated immediately. It's a beautifully decorated, cozy, dimly lit room. There's a small bar area and lounge seating with tables scattered in a small room. We came for the burger - it was delicious, I ordered mine without cheese and found adding some salt, to compensate for the sharpness missing from the cheese, was a great and necessary add. I ordered the spirit-free White Cosmo, which was fantastic, highly recommend. The ice cream sandwich was such a nice way to end the meal. I did not love the popcorn, but it is complementary to all. Our server, James, was incredible! His service is second to none. He made another spirit-free drink which was incredible, with honey and amaro. All staff were lovely. read more

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Really loved this spot I was so happy we were able to walk in and they had a table for us as we were last minute. What I loved most was the vibe/ambience. Such a nice spot to grab a drink with friends or go on a date because it truly is so classy. The food was good too but not the most memorable for me the burger was kinda dry. Would totally check this place out though for a drink! read more

Very cool place indeed. The bar and their mixologists were good. Didn't get my bartenders name but blonde haired fella. Real nice. Started with chips and onion dip which was very nice. Wife had the white cosmopolitan and I had the Cognac drink which was money.. cool place read more

Good cocktails and atmosphere overall! Walk-ins aren't easy so make sure to get a reservation. While everything was decent, I went in with high expectations since it's on the top 50 bar list and the drinks didn't deliver to that extent. It's no doubt an amazing hotel bar, but if you're a local then it might not live up to the wait times especially considering there's another excellent bar across the street. Not to say the drinks weren't alright, just not stellar. The complimentary popcorns were a nice touch too. read more

The Portrait Bar - Popcorn - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

Really a gorgeous space, but sadly the drinks did not live up to the hype for me. And the food was substandard. Ordered the hot dog, which was advertised as one of the best in New York by our server and it was lukewarm with a stale-ish bun. Service itself, however, was impeccable, and they were nice enough to let our party lounge and order far past the standard allocated time per reservation and even gave us a parting complementary drink at the end of the night. read more

What a lovely experience. The service was awesome. I had this drink that was a blend of whiskey and rum with pepper, which was phenomenal. I wish I could remember the name. My friends ordered the hotdog and said it was really good. I was just too full to try it. And the popcorn supposedly was awesome as well. I love the service. Everyone there was so friendly and super nice and it's a beautiful place as well. We didn't have a reservation, but they let us stay for a long time. Definitely a return spot. read more

The Portrait Bar - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York

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Went to portrait bar for a Resy event. Staff was amazing. Apps were tasty. Martinis were almost too strong (lol) but the atmosphere was amazing. Cozy and classy vibes. Great place for a drink read more

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Portrait Bar is an absolute vibe--sexy, upscale, and a fresh take on the classics. Started us off with their truffle butter popcorn, it was oddly satisfying. Their burger? Unreal. Just beef, cheese, sauce, and a pickle on the side, yet somehow, it's one of the best burgers I've ever had in NYC. No fancy toppings, just pure, savory perfection. We also tried the Hot Dog Au Poivre. It's good, but at $20, I'm not rushing to order it again. The tuna tartare? Light, fresh, and fantastic. But let's talk cocktails--wow. Monty, our bartender, was a mixology wizard, crafting some of the most creative and dangerously smooth drinks I've ever had. He was so talented that we went off the menu and had him curate cocktails for us based on what we wanted to taste/experience. Between my friend and me, we easily tried 10 different cocktails. The Barrio Getsemani--a wild combo of gin and aguardiente--completely blew my mind. Every drink was an unexpected flavor journey, balanced and bold in ways I didn't know were possible. Reservations are tough to get, but if you can score one, jump on it! Portrait Bar is a gem you won't want to miss. read more

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This lounge was so cute and filled with, you guessed it, portraits (and books)! I liked how the cocktails referenced different cities and countries around the world, too. They also give you complimentary popcorn, which had a mix of butter and...(was it garlic and truffle?) in it! read more

The Portrait Bar - cebu island (left) and kochi (right) - Cocktail Bars Near Me - New York, New York