Mandarin Oriental, New York has given one of Manhattan’s most discreet spots a glamorous new identity with the reopening of its speakeasy, The Bar. Tucked away on the hotel’s Sky Lobby floor, the 45-seat lounge was once known only to those “in the know” as The Office, a secret haven reserved for private bookings and collaborations. Now, after a careful reimagining, the doors are open wider, inviting hotel guests and savvy locals into a world where cocktails tell stories and every detail feels like part of an unfolding adventure.
The Bar takes its inspiration from the Silk Road, that legendary artery of trade, culture, and connection. Rather than a simple theme, it’s a guiding spirit that infuses the entire experience. Imagine sipping a drink that transports you to Beijing’s jasmine tea houses, Istanbul’s bustling bazaars, or Bangkok’s lively markets, only to return home to the sophisticated pulse of New York. Each cocktail is designed to embody a city along the Silk Road, blending flavors, fragrances, and textures into a little passport stamped with taste and imagination.
The menu is as tempting as it is inventive. There’s the Imperial Jasmine from Beijing, a crisp blend of baijiu infused with jasmine tea and lifted by citrus tonic. From Bangkok comes the Siam Sunset, a tropical delight of pandan leaf, coconut, pineapple rum, and a foamy pandan-pineapple crown. Istanbul brings the Sultan’s Delight, vodka and coffee liqueur poured from a traditional cezve, while New York itself gets a nod with the Manhattan Spice, a bold mix of 12-year vintage rye, aromatic bitters, and warming spice. Presentation is part of the magic – cocktails arrive in imaginative vessels, often accompanied by scent, sound, or texture that makes every sip an experience to savor. Of course, the bar also stocks fine champagnes, single malts, and rare spirits for those who prefer something classic.
The setting is every bit as enchanting as the drinks. Rich textures, vintage artifacts, and the glow of low lighting create a mood that feels both timeless and modern. Deep leather chairs invite you to settle in, while the music drifts from smooth house beats to global sounds, keeping the energy alive but never overwhelming. It’s the kind of place where time seems to slip away, where conversations linger long past the first round, and where details – like an antiquarian book tucked on a shelf – catch your eye just when you least expect it.
For Mandarin Oriental, this isn’t just another bar. As Marcel Thoma, the hotel’s Area Vice President and General Manager, puts it, “The Silk Road was a place of exchange. Culture, craftsmanship and connection all came together along its path. That same spirit lives within The Bar.” It’s an experience rooted in heritage but refreshed with modern luxury, transforming an evening drink into something memorable and rare.
The Bar is now open for walk-ins Tuesday through Saturday from 5 p.m. until 1 a.m. Whether you’re stopping in for a nightcap or settling in for a journey across continents told through cocktails, this is one Manhattan hideaway that feels both secretive and spectacular.
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