The Lobby Bar at the Bowery Hotel Hotel Bar / Lounge

East Village, New York –

The Bowery has come a long way since its historic skid row days, and the elegant Lobby Bar at the Bowery Hotel is a prime example of how the street has turned grit into glamour over the past few decades.

A nostalgic décor recalling the grand parlors of yesteryear forms the backdrop for this disheveled but sexy hangout, where bouncers dressed as the infamous Bowery Boys usher Wall Streeters, wealthy hipsters, and the occasional A-lister into the opulent lobby.

Raftered ceilings, Persian rugs, an impressive fireplace, and various arrangements of antique, gargoyle-backed velvet chairs and settees combine to create a luxurious but intimate vibe where New York notables and downtown glitterati gather for subdued conversation over single-malts or cappuccinos.

A tiny bar decked out in turquoise walls, taxidermy, and animal portraits fits only a few patrons, but in summer, an outdoor patio accommodates some of the swanky overflow of celebs and stylish out-of-towners who show up to see and be seen.

Although the hotel insists that the Lobby Bar is for guests only, hopeful patrons willing to don their designer best shouldn't have a problem enjoying a classy, low-key evening at this high-end hangout.