Avenues At The Peninsula

07/07/09

A great place to drink and meet pretty people

by LatinaBabe at Citysearch

They have the door near the street closed off so you have to walk around the building to get in - but despite that minor inconvenience this place is great. Lots of beautiful people drink here and hang out. I like it because it's a classy place that isn't pretentious. Good place to chill out!

• Pros: Lots of booze
• Cons: Kind of hard to get inside

An inspired update of the classic martini bar within an upscale hotel.

by Contributor at Citysearch

The Scene
Vibrant, warm tones of gold, brown, blue and red enrich the smart modern lounge within the posh Peninsula Hotel. Colorful libations glow from behind the golden-lit bar. Attentive, personable servers in gold and black circle the room as the affluent clientele eyes the modern art and itself in the enormous mirrors. Stylish young professionals, trios of gay men, "Sex and the City"-emulating babes and older, sophisticated business travelers lounge in the velour chairs, perch at the bar or settle at tables near the blazing fireplace. Trip-hoppy tunes play deep in the background.

The Draw
Strictly top-shelf. The leather-bound bar menu has pages of champagnes--both vintage and (less expensive) non-vintage--champagne cocktails, cognacs, ports, cigars, classic drinks such as the Singapore sling and of course, martinis. For food, savories such as Cambozola crostini or sushi sate expense-account appetites.

09/24/02

First class!

by mapleleaves at Citysearch

The last time I was in, the door that opens near the elevators from the street was closed, so you had to go past the concierge desk in a big circle to get into the bar. This might be to reduce walk-in traffic, but it does create a cozy area for about a dozen people where the actual foyer would be.

Everything is first class, from the selection of liquors and wines to the service - quietly efficient, not doting. You aren't there to impress the staff, and they've seen it all anyway. Quiet even when busy, the atmosphere is sedate and elegant.

• Pros: Excellent service, Elegant setting