New York is full of bars that try too hard. You know the ones—industrial lighting, overpriced "craft" cocktails that take twenty minutes to make, and a vibe that feels like it was designed by a corporate committee to appeal to "influencers."
The St Regis Hotel New York bar, officially known as the King Cole Bar, is different. It’s old. It’s dark. It’s expensive. And honestly, it’s probably the most important room in Midtown.
Walking into this place feels like stepping into a different century. The air is thick with the smell of expensive gin and decades of high-stakes secrets. This isn't just a place to grab a drink before a Broadway show. It's a landmark. It's where the Bloody Mary was born—though they call it the Red Snapper here—and it’s where the city’s power players have been hiding in plain sight since 1932.
The Mural That Sees Everything
You can't talk about the St Regis Hotel New York bar without talking about the Maxfield Parrish mural. It’s massive. It’s iconic. It depicts Old King Cole, and if you look closely, you’ll see the guards on either side of him are smirking.
Legend has it—and the bartenders will confirm this if you catch them at a quiet moment—that the King is actually breaking wind, and the guards are trying not to laugh. It's a bit of juvenile humor hidden in one of the most sophisticated rooms in the world. John Jacob Astor IV, the hotel's founder, wanted something that felt grand but had character. Parrish delivered.
The mural wasn't always here, though. It was originally commissioned for the Knickerbocker Hotel. When that closed, it did a stint at the Racquet and Tennis Club before finally finding its permanent home at the St. Regis in the 1930s. The amber glow reflecting off that canvas is basically the "filter" for the entire room. It makes everyone look better. It makes the martinis look colder.
The Red Snapper: A Bloody Mary by Another Name
Most people don't realize they owe their Sunday morning recovery to a French bartender named Fernand Petiot.
In 1934, Petiot brought a drink he’d been tinkering with in Paris over to the St Regis Hotel New York bar. It was a simple mix of vodka and tomato juice. But the New York elite found it a bit bland. Petiot started adding salt, pepper, lemon, and Worcestershire sauce.
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The name "Bloody Mary" was considered too vulgar for the refined guests of the St. Regis. So, they dubbed it the Red Snapper.
If you order one today, don't expect a celery stalk the size of a tree branch or a miniature slider skewered on top. This is the original. It’s served in a tall glass, perfectly spiced, and remarkably clean. It’s savory. It’s sharp. It’s exactly what you need when you’ve had a few too many the night before at a gala or a board meeting.
Beyond the Tomato Juice
While everyone goes for the Snapper, the real pros know the martini service here is the gold standard.
They don't just hand you a glass. They bring a small sidecar on ice so your second half stays freezing while you sip the first. It’s a small detail. But it’s the kind of thing that separates a $30 cocktail from a $15 one.
- The Vesper: A nod to the James Bond connection (the St. Regis is mentioned in the Ian Fleming novels).
- The Dirty Martini: They use high-quality olives that actually taste like fruit, not just salt.
- The Champagne: If you aren't in the mood for spirits, the wine list is essentially a "who's who" of French vineyards.
Why the Velvet Ropes Exist
You can’t just stroll into the St Regis Hotel New York bar at 9:00 PM on a Friday and expect a seat.
It’s tiny. For such a famous room, it’s surprisingly intimate. There are only a handful of tables and a limited amount of standing room. This creates a natural exclusivity. It’s not about being "cool"—it’s about physics.
The dress code is "smart casual," but let’s be real: if you show up in gym shorts, you aren't getting past the host. You don't necessarily need a suit, but a blazer helps. You want to match the room. The room is mahogany, leather, and gold. Dress accordingly.
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The crowd is a wild mix. You’ll see European tourists who saved up for one drink to see the mural. You’ll see hedge fund guys closing deals. You’ll see elderly couples who have been coming here every anniversary for fifty years. It’s one of the few places in New York where "old money" and "new money" actually mix without looking at each other sideways.
The Economics of a $32 Cocktail
Let’s talk about the price. It’s high.
Some people complain that the St Regis Hotel New York bar is a rip-off. They aren't entirely wrong if you're just looking at the cost of the ingredients. Vodka and tomato juice don't cost thirty bucks.
But you aren't paying for the liquid. You're paying for the rent on that specific square footage of Fifth Avenue. You're paying for the history. You're paying for the fact that Salvador Dalí used to sit in these booths. You're paying for the silence—the room is surprisingly quiet because the heavy drapes and thick carpets soak up the sound.
It’s a luxury experience. If you want a cheap drink, there’s a pub around the corner. If you want to feel like the protagonist in a 1950s noir film, you pay the premium.
Misconceptions and Reality Checks
A lot of travel blogs say you need a reservation.
Technically, the King Cole Bar is "first come, first served." However, guests staying at the St. Regis get priority. If the hotel is at capacity, the wait for an outside guest can be brutal.
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Another common mistake: people think it’s open all day. It’s not. It usually opens in the late afternoon. Check the current hours before you trek uptown, because there is nothing sadder than standing in that gilded lobby staring at closed doors.
Also, don't expect a party. This isn't a "nightclub" bar. There’s no DJ. There’s no dancing. It’s a place for conversation. If you’re looking to get rowdy, you’re in the wrong zip code.
The Astor Legacy
The hotel itself was built by John Jacob Astor IV as a sister property to the Waldorf-Astoria. He wanted a place where his mother’s "Four Hundred"—the elite of New York society—could feel at home.
Tragically, Astor died on the Titanic just a few years after the hotel opened. But his influence is everywhere. The attention to detail in the bar, from the crests on the glassware to the way the bartenders pull back your chair, is a direct line back to that Gilded Age philosophy of service.
The staff here are career professionals. They aren't actors waiting for their big break. They are masters of their craft. They know when to engage in small talk and when to disappear. That’s a disappearing art form in modern hospitality.
How to Do It Right
If you want the best experience at the St Regis Hotel New York bar, follow these steps:
- Arrive early. Aim for 4:30 PM or 5:00 PM. You’ll beat the post-work crowd and have your pick of the booths.
- Sit at the bar. If you’re alone or with one other person, the bar is the best seat in the house. You can watch the bartenders work and get a closer look at the mural.
- Order the Red Snapper. Even if you don't like Bloody Marys, try it once. It’s the law.
- Put your phone away. Take one photo of the mural if you must, then stop. The vibe of the room is ruined when everyone is staring at a screen.
- Look at the details. Notice the silver bowls of nuts (they’re replenished constantly). Look at the ceiling. Notice the way the light hits the bottles.
The St. Regis isn't trying to be the "next big thing." It’s been the "big thing" for nearly a century. In a city that changes every five minutes, there is something deeply comforting about a place that refuses to move with the times.
It’s expensive, it’s a bit formal, and it’s undeniably New York.
Actionable Next Steps
- Check the Dress Code: Ensure you have at least a collared shirt or a stylish dress. Avoid sneakers and athletic wear to ensure entry.
- Budgeting: Allocate at least $100 for two people if you plan on having one drink each and leaving a tip.
- Timing: If you are visiting during the holidays (December), expect lines. The St. Regis is famous for its Christmas decorations, making the bar a high-traffic destination.
- Alternative: If the King Cole Bar is too packed, the Astor Court right outside offers a similar menu in a more open, airy setting, though you lose the intimacy of the mural room.
The King Cole Bar remains a masterclass in atmosphere. Whether you’re a local or a tourist, sitting under that mural with a cold drink is a rite of passage. It’s a reminder that while New York might be loud and chaotic, there are still pockets of the city where time slows down and everything is served on a silver tray.