VIBE

This masculine library lounge goes classic with cozy leather sofas, a purple felt-top billiard table, a working fireplace, and (of course) bookshelves stocked with leather bound volumes. In the winter, gussied-up guests curl up by the fire, while summer months bring on a rush to snag seats on the adjacent outdoor terrace. Removed from the fierce scene of the nearby Hudson Bar, this barroom is the ideal space for light reading, board games, or meeting over a classic scotch.

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

Blend in with the casually upscale crowd here and go for a chic sleeveless top with a cardigan or blazer, light pants, and fancy heels (no shorts or sandals are allowed).

GO HERE WITH

A first date; yourself

CROWD

A varied collection of hotel guests, expense accounters, and, occasionally, young things who’ve tired of the hotel’s flagship bar, Hudson Bar.

WHY WE LIKE IT

Every detail here is carefully executed, from the cherry wood walls to the Toulouse-Lautrec monographs to the relaxed lounge soundtrack. And, of course, the purple pool table seals the deal for us.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

On weekends after 11:30pm, the atmosphere transforms, somewhat startlingly, from library to party to lure club-recovering spillovers from the Hudson Bar. It can get packed.

GOOD TO KNOW

The space is small and doesn’t offer a whole lot of seating, so be sure to arrive early if you’ve got your heart set on staying a while. Besides playing billards on the vintage table, guests are encouraged to engage in games like chess or backgammon with fellow loungers (the tables double as game boards). Along with the hundreds of books that are available to browse, the space offers Wi-Fi and internet-connected computers.

CLOSEST COMPS

Soho House (New York)

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