By DAN LEVIN
Published: August 8, 2008
FOR those fortunate New Yorkers who use the word summer as a verb, weeknights in the city during this humid season can be woefully lacking in socially aspirational activities.
What luck then that the recently renovated Plaza Hotel’s gilded new lounge, the Rose Club, opened in July, just in time to offer them a fresh urban haven where they can unwind for an evening — until they flee to the South Fork on Fridays.
As a first-time visitor ascends the marble staircase from the Plaza’s Fifth Avenue lobby, it can take a few moments to adjust to the faint lighting that bathes the crowd in a uniform pink glow.
Perched on an antique chair in a corner, Hilary Downing, 21, was relishing a glass of pinot grigio. “I like that I can sit here and not get kicked out for bottle service,” she said. Still, she wondered if the scene clashed with the lavish décor. “Everyone here is a hipster with long hair and a fedora, and all the girls have perms,” she said. “But I love the wood.”
At the top of the mahogany staircase by the bar, a silver-haired man gyrated to Depeche Mode as waiters carrying cocktails swerved to avoid him.
Karin Agstam, an actress from Sweden, was grooving, too. “I love the Plaza,” she said. “You can dance if you want to, and they’re much more careful at the door.”
For many Rose Bar patrons, the Plaza Hotel address is not only brag-worthy, but convenient. “All our friends live above 57th street, so it’s a great spot for a nightcap,” said Arthur Zeckendorf, 21, a college student and son of the luxury property developer of the same name. Does he normally drink on school nights? “We heard some kid was having a birthday party,” he said.
His friend Jared Baumeister, 26, was celebrating more-scholarly pursuits. “I’m supposed to be studying for the bar exam,” he said. “I blew it off the last six weeks, but everyone says you have to get serious after July 4th.” It was advice he had taken seriously. “I hadn’t had a drink in five days,” he said, beer in hand.
Around 2:30 a.m., they were ready to go. “Your car’s here,” Mr. Baumeister said to Mr. Zeckendorf as they stepped out of the hotel.
“I don’t drive,” Mr. Zeckendorf replied.
Mr. Baumeister laughed. “No dude, your chauffeur,” he said, and off they headed toward Fifth Avenue.
The Rose Club At the Plaza
Fifth Avenue at Central Park South, (212) 546-5311
GETTING IN Reservations only after 10 p.m. (and you’d better know superpromoter Danny A., who compiles the list).
DRESS CODE Pinstripes and plaid for men; cocktail dresses and animal prints for women.
SIGNATURE DRINK Park Side Smash (Hennessy VS Cognac, lemon wedges, organic mint leaves; $23).
Published: August 8, 2008
FOR those fortunate New Yorkers who use the word summer as a verb, weeknights in the city during this humid season can be woefully lacking in socially aspirational activities.
What luck then that the recently renovated Plaza Hotel’s gilded new lounge, the Rose Club, opened in July, just in time to offer them a fresh urban haven where they can unwind for an evening — until they flee to the South Fork on Fridays.
As a first-time visitor ascends the marble staircase from the Plaza’s Fifth Avenue lobby, it can take a few moments to adjust to the faint lighting that bathes the crowd in a uniform pink glow.
Perched on an antique chair in a corner, Hilary Downing, 21, was relishing a glass of pinot grigio. “I like that I can sit here and not get kicked out for bottle service,” she said. Still, she wondered if the scene clashed with the lavish décor. “Everyone here is a hipster with long hair and a fedora, and all the girls have perms,” she said. “But I love the wood.”
At the top of the mahogany staircase by the bar, a silver-haired man gyrated to Depeche Mode as waiters carrying cocktails swerved to avoid him.
Karin Agstam, an actress from Sweden, was grooving, too. “I love the Plaza,” she said. “You can dance if you want to, and they’re much more careful at the door.”
For many Rose Bar patrons, the Plaza Hotel address is not only brag-worthy, but convenient. “All our friends live above 57th street, so it’s a great spot for a nightcap,” said Arthur Zeckendorf, 21, a college student and son of the luxury property developer of the same name. Does he normally drink on school nights? “We heard some kid was having a birthday party,” he said.
His friend Jared Baumeister, 26, was celebrating more-scholarly pursuits. “I’m supposed to be studying for the bar exam,” he said. “I blew it off the last six weeks, but everyone says you have to get serious after July 4th.” It was advice he had taken seriously. “I hadn’t had a drink in five days,” he said, beer in hand.
Around 2:30 a.m., they were ready to go. “Your car’s here,” Mr. Baumeister said to Mr. Zeckendorf as they stepped out of the hotel.
“I don’t drive,” Mr. Zeckendorf replied.
Mr. Baumeister laughed. “No dude, your chauffeur,” he said, and off they headed toward Fifth Avenue.
The Rose Club At the Plaza
Fifth Avenue at Central Park South, (212) 546-5311
GETTING IN Reservations only after 10 p.m. (and you’d better know superpromoter Danny A., who compiles the list).
DRESS CODE Pinstripes and plaid for men; cocktail dresses and animal prints for women.
SIGNATURE DRINK Park Side Smash (Hennessy VS Cognac, lemon wedges, organic mint leaves; $23).
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