Bemelmans Bar

"Inside the Carlyle Hotel on the Upper East Side, Bemelmans is an NYC night out that everyone should experience at least once—even if it means toughing out an hour-long line to get in. Murals by Madeline illustrator Ludwig Bemelmans decorate the walls of the piano bar, open since 1947, and the ceiling gleams with gold leaf. If you’re lucky, you might spot Bill Murray having a martini in the corner, or crashing a set. Expect to spend north of $26 for a drink. They make a stellar martini with a sidecar, and serve some of the city's finest free snack mix, which features dainty, extra-small potato chips. Neither the $10 live-music cover charge, nor an influx of influencers have dulled Bemelmans' timeless charm. We don't even mind when a corner of our neighbor's Louboutin shopping bag pokes us in the ribs. video credit: Britt Lam" - Molly Fitzpatrick

"A legendary bar in New York City that inspired the cocktail bar area at the wedding."

"A new generation of customers come here to drink martinis and document the historic space on social media: But what hasn’t changed at Bemelmans is the live piano music, eclectic mix of patrons, and the murals by Ludwig Bemelmans. Celebs seen at Bemelmans include Travis Kelce, Ryan Reynolds, Blake Lively, Taylor Swift, Gigi Hadid, Leonardo DiCaprio, and Sofia Vergara." - Deuxmoi

"Martinis taste best with white tablecloths and someone playing the piano. You’ll get both at Bemelmans Bar inside the Carlyle Hotel on the Upper East Side. Yes, this place has pricey cocktails, but you should go out of your way for a martini, because Bemelmans is just as iconic as the New Yorkers it attracts. If you’re lucky, Bill Murray might also be having a martini in the corner while someone plays the piano. Skip the food. The best thing to eat here is the free snack mix on every table." - bryan kim, kenny yang, neha talreja, carina finn koeppicus

"At Bemelmans, Ludwig Bemelman's illustrations—you might remember them from the Madeline books—adorn the walls. In one panel, a bunny smokes a cigar in Central Park; in another, a man hands a boy a clutch of balloons. This is a bar where gawking is permissible. The cocktails here very much depend on who’s making them: an Old Fashioned might be a bit watery, a whiskey sour too tart. But often a dirty gin Martini is just perfectly executed. Everything is expensive—it’s clear why you’re here—so take the edge off that sensation by digging into the free, hearty snacks that float your way." - Charlie Hobbs, Alex Erdekian, Melissa Liebling-Goldberg