Upper East Side · Bar Food
Ludwig Bemelmans' 1947 Central Park murals, a nightly piano, and one of the coldest martinis in Manhattan
In 1947 the Carlyle gave Ludwig Bemelmans a year of lodging for his family in exchange for painting its bar, and the Central Park scenes he covered the walls with — rabbits in top hats, elephants on roller skates, the Madeline universe running loose through the seasons — are the only Bemelmans murals open to the public anywhere. The room has barely changed: gold-leaf ceiling, black glass bar, banquettes deep enough to disappear into. The martini is the order, served brutally cold with a sidecar, and the bar snacks are better than they need to be. Live music runs every night, a solo pianist from around 5:30 and a jazz trio later, with a cover charge once the tables fill. It is expensive and unapologetic about it, and there is nothing else quite like it above 72nd Street.
Bemelmans Bar is ludwig Bemelmans' 1947 Central Park murals, a nightly piano, and one of the coldest martinis in Manhattan. Regulars order martini and bar snacks.
Bemelmans Bar is priced at $$$$ — approx. $75+ per person, a special-occasion spend.
Bemelmans Bar takes reservations by phone — call (212) 744-1600 to book.
Bemelmans Bar is at 35 E 76th St, New York, NY 10021, in Upper East Side. Street parking is hopeless; take the 6 to 77th St
Bemelmans Bar is open Sun–Mon 12 PM–12 AM · Tue–Thu 12 PM–12:30 AM · Fri–Sat 12 PM–1 AM. Hours can change on holidays — confirm on Google Maps before a long drive.