You’ve seen the photos of the Round Table. You've heard the stories of Dorothy Parker tossing back martinis and hurling insults that would make a modern Twitter troll weep. But honestly, walking up to 59 West 44th St New York NY 10036 for the first time feels a bit surreal because it isn't just an address. It's the Algonquin Hotel. It is, arguably, the most important square footage in American literary history, sitting right there in Midtown between 5th and 6th Avenues, looking exactly like it belongs in a grainy black-and-white film from 1922.
The Algonquin isn’t just a place where people sleep. It’s a survivor.
While the rest of Midtown has been slowly consumed by glass towers and sterile corporate lobbies, this spot has stayed weird. It’s stayed dark. It has stayed remarkably true to the vibe that made it famous over a century ago. If you’re looking for 59 West 44th St New York NY 10036 on a map, you’re looking for the soul of the Jazz Age, but you’re also looking at a functioning, high-end Marriott Autograph Collection property that somehow balances being a museum and a hotel at the same time.
What Actually Happened at the Round Table?
Most people get the "Vicious Circle" wrong. They think it was this formal, organized group of elite intellectuals who met to discuss the future of literature. It wasn’t. It was basically a bunch of friends who liked to drink and make fun of each other. It started in 1919 when Alexander Woollcott, a theater critic, came home from World War I. His friends threw him a "welcome back" lunch at the Algonquin, and they liked the food (and the company) so much they just... never really left.
For ten years, they met almost every day.
Dorothy Parker, Robert Benchley, George S. Kaufman—these weren't just names in a textbook. They were the influencers of their day. They sat at a large circular table in the Rose Room. If you visit today, you can still see the spot. It’s legendary. But here’s the thing: they weren’t always nice. They were brutal. They traded quips that would be published in the newspapers the next morning. It was the original "viral content."
Frank Case, the manager and eventually the owner of the hotel at 59 West 44th St New York NY 10036, was the genius who let it happen. He knew that having the smartest, funniest, and most cynical people in the city hanging out in his lobby was better than any billboard. He gave them a free round of celery and popovers. That’s it. That was the price of admission for some of the greatest wit in American history.
The Cat Everyone Asks About
If you walk into the lobby and see a cat lounging on a brass luggage cart, don't panic. That’s Hamlet. Or Matilda. It depends on the era.
The Algonquin Cat is a real tradition that dates back to the 1920s. A stray cat wandered in off 44th Street looking for some milk, and Frank Case, being the kind of guy who liked eccentricities, let it stay. Actor John Barrymore was staying there at the time and suggested the name Hamlet. Ever since then, every male cat has been Hamlet and every female cat has been Matilda.
They take this very seriously.
The current cat has its own chief of staff. I’m not joking. There is an annual cat fashion show at the hotel that raises money for animal shelters. It is one of those deeply New York things that makes absolutely no sense until you’re standing there watching a Siamese cat wear a tiny Chanel-inspired outfit. It’s part of the fabric of 59 West 44th St New York NY 10036. Without the cat, the lobby would just be a fancy room with expensive chairs. With the cat, it feels like a home—albeit a very posh, historical home.
Staying at 59 West 44th St New York NY 10036: What to Expect
Let’s be real for a second. New York hotels can be hit or miss.
When you book a room at this address, you aren't getting a massive, 500-square-foot suite with floor-to-ceiling windows and a Peloton in the corner. You're getting history. The rooms are famously "cozy"—which is New York real estate speak for "small." But they’ve done a great job with the renovations. You’ll find glass-encased showers, high-end linens, and doors that actually block out the noise of the city outside.
The hallways are lined with New Yorker cartoons. That’s because the magazine was basically founded here. Harold Ross, the founder, won enough money in a poker game at the Algonquin to start the publication. If you love the magazine, staying here feels like a pilgrimage.
- The Lobby: This is the heart of the building. It’s dim, moody, and perfect for a cocktail.
- The Blue Bar: This is where the real drinking happens. It’s been a staple since the day Prohibition ended in 1933.
- The Location: You are literal steps from Bryant Park and Times Square, but 44th Street feels strangely quiet compared to the chaos of 42nd.
One thing people often miss is the "Martini with a Diamond." It’s a real thing you can order at the Blue Bar. It costs about $10,000 because it comes with a real diamond at the bottom of the glass. You have to order it 72 hours in advance so they can get the jeweler on the phone. Do people actually buy it? Occasionally. Usually for proposals. It’s a ridiculous, over-the-top New York moment that perfectly fits the hotel's vibe.
Why 59 West 44th St New York NY 10036 Still Matters
In a world that feels increasingly digital and fleeting, physical spaces that hold onto their identity are rare. The Algonquin has survived the Great Depression, two World Wars, the decline of the theater district, and a global pandemic.
It stays relevant because it represents a specific type of New York intelligence. It’s for the person who wants to sit in a leather chair, put their phone away, and have a real conversation. It’s for the person who values a well-placed adjective more than a flashy neon sign.
When you stand outside the entrance at 59 West 44th St New York NY 10036, you’re standing where William Faulkner wrote his Nobel Prize acceptance speech. You’re standing where Maya Angelou stayed. You’re standing in a place that has hosted everyone from Audrey Hepburn to Sinéad O'Connor.
It isn't just a hotel. It’s a library you can sleep in.
Actionable Insights for Your Visit
If you're planning to head to 59 West 44th St New York NY 10036, don't just walk in and out. You have to experience it the right way.
First, skip the Times Square madness and grab a drink in the lobby around 5:00 PM. Order the "Dorothy Parker Gin" if they have it in stock. It’s local, it’s sharp, and it fits the mood perfectly. Sit in one of the oversized armchairs and just watch the people. You'll see Broadway actors, writers, and travelers who look like they’re trying very hard to look like they belong there.
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Second, look for the Round Table. It’s not a museum exhibit behind glass; people actually sit there and eat. If it’s empty, take a second to stand by it. Think about the fact that 100 years ago, some of the funniest people to ever live were sitting in that exact spot, probably complaining about the exact same things we complain about today: the cost of living, the quality of the theater, and who was sleeping with whom.
Finally, check out the "Algonquin Cat" updates. If you’re a cat person, you can actually email the cat (or her assistant). It’s a quirky bit of hospitality that hasn’t changed in decades.
To make the most of your trip to this specific slice of Manhattan:
- Book the "Writer's Suite" if you want to see where some of the best work of the 20th century was polished.
- Walk to the New York Public Library—it’s only two blocks away. The connection between the two is palpable.
- Check the event calendar. They often host literary events and cabaret performances that keep the "Old New York" spirit alive.
The Algonquin isn't just an address on 44th Street. It's a reminder that New York is at its best when it's a little bit cynical, a little bit sophisticated, and a whole lot of fun.