The Oak Bar at the Plaza Hotel: Historic and Classic
The Oak Bar in The Oak Room, a New York landmark and iconic meeting spot is nominated for a Luxist Award for Best Hotel bar.
Located on the first floor of New York's fabled landmark, The Plaza Hotel, The Oak Bar is one of the most romantic meeting spots in Manhattan. The Oak Bar serves as an informal gathering place for New York's luminaries, with distinctive cocktails and a separate bar menu along with the classic view of Central Park South from its windows.
Bringing old-world glamour to the 21st century, The Oak Room was originally designed by Henry Hardenbergh in 1907 as a bar for men only. It closed during Prohibition and re-opened in 1934 as a full service restaurant. The Oak Room is known for its detailed wood-paneled walls and barrel-vaulted ceiling. The three carved niches feature beautiful murals of German feudal castles with one mural featuring the former Cornelius Vanderbilt II mansion, which is now the location of luxury goods department store, Bergdorf Goodman.
Head Bartender Orlando Rivera has worked at The Plaza Hotel for 21 years (apart from the 3 1/2 year break when the hotel was closed for renovations) and presides over The Oak Bar. During his time at The Plaza, Rivera, a second generation bartender, has served classic cocktails to the great and near-great including princes, powerbrokers and politicians, stars of the silver screen and of the outfield and musicians.
The Oak Bar was itself featured on the silver screen. Indeed, Cary Grant's character was kidnapped from Table 2 in Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest, which was the first movie ever to be filmed at The Plaza Hotel.
Rivera has been at The Oak Bar for so long now, that he's seen trends in cocktails come and go (see video below). He says these days, customers are asking for the classics, from the Manhattan to the Sidecar and the Old-Fashioned. "You have to make (drinks) with love," says Rivera. "Proper garnishing, even placing it on the napkin the right way. It's about the little touches, conversation and eye contact."
Times have changed, but Rivera is still mixing the same classics that he's made for the likes of Tony Bennett all these years and it seems to be a winning formula. Add to that the experience of enjoying a cocktail in The Oak Bar---a legendary and beautiful setting---and you just might have to pinch yourself. You may even think you've taken a step back in time, albeit a glamorous one.
Vote for the hotel bar that you believe is the best of breed. The voting period runs through April 30 and winners will be announced on May 1.
The Oak Bar was itself featured on the silver screen. Indeed, Cary Grant's character was kidnapped from Table 2 in Alfred Hitchcock's North by Northwest, which was the first movie ever to be filmed at The Plaza Hotel.
Rivera has been at The Oak Bar for so long now, that he's seen trends in cocktails come and go (see video below). He says these days, customers are asking for the classics, from the Manhattan to the Sidecar and the Old-Fashioned. "You have to make (drinks) with love," says Rivera. "Proper garnishing, even placing it on the napkin the right way. It's about the little touches, conversation and eye contact."
Times have changed, but Rivera is still mixing the same classics that he's made for the likes of Tony Bennett all these years and it seems to be a winning formula. Add to that the experience of enjoying a cocktail in The Oak Bar---a legendary and beautiful setting---and you just might have to pinch yourself. You may even think you've taken a step back in time, albeit a glamorous one.
Vote for the hotel bar that you believe is the best of breed. The voting period runs through April 30 and winners will be announced on May 1.
