VIBE

Firmdale’s co-owner Kit Kemp had a vision for this stylish SoHo space: homey high design with a touch of whimsy. Well, we’d say she got it spot on. The hotel’s bar and restaurant meld into one, spanning the width of the ground floor with eye-catchingly vibrant couches, chairs, and an oddly pleasing, if motley, collection of light fixtures. From its proper English teas to full dinners, strong cocktails, and house scotch brought directly from Scotland, the chic Crosby Bar & Terrace caters to all tastes at all hours of the day, attracting the hotel’s very well attired guests along with an eclectic assortment of handsome locals and out-of-towners.

WHAT WE WOULD WEAR

With so much color in the room, you might want to keep it toned down a bit; go stylishly casual with a solid neutral top, sleek skirt, pumps, and fun accessories.

GO HERE WITH

A friend; clients or colleagues; significant other; your parents

CROWD

Well-heeled hotel guests, stylish SoHo locals, and a few business groups in casual rendezvous.

WHY WE LIKE IT

It’s not your run-of-the-mill bar–in fact, it’s hard at times to even consider it one! Along with its broad cocktail menu of fruit concoctions, it also offers a full dining menu (available all day). We especially dig the warm-weather-only garden out back, which is perfect for enjoying a lazy afternoon.

WHAT WE WOULD CHANGE

The cocktails are pricey at USD 18+.

GOOD TO KNOW

The bar is part of the boutique Crosby Street Hotel, the first US outpost of the UK hotel chainlet, Firmdale. Along with food and cocktails, The Crosby Bar also serves traditional afternoon tea. On Sunday nights there’s a film club at 8:00pm, offering dinner and a movie for USD 50 per person or a cocktail, bar plate, and movie for USD 25.

CLOSEST COMPS

The Lobby Bar (New York); Refuel Bar (London)

Click here for our full-form mobile travel guide, The Purple Passport to New York City.