Agency of Record

"The music at Midtown bars tends to lean in either a Kenny Loggins or John Coltrane direction. Not so much at Agency of Record. At this cavernous spot on 40th Street, there are nightly DJs who play (very loud) disco, funk, house, and more. It’s not the kind of place you expect to find within sprinting distance of Grand Central, but if you live or work in the area, you should be grateful that it’s there. The dark room is full of retro touches, like frilly lamps and vintage cigarette advertisements, and it has lots of tables and booths where you can shout a conversation while enjoying an elaborate twist on a piña colada or Singapore sling." - Bryan Kim, Will Hartman, Willa Moore, Sonal Shah

"From the team behind Patent Pending, Agency of Record is a Midtown cocktail bar and vinyl lounge in the Renwick Hotel that’s a “tribute to the golden age of New York City advertising.” What this means is that you can sit on a tasseled barstool at a bar that looks like a backgammon board, and consult the historical drink popularity graphic on their website to decide on your next cocktail. We checked out Agency of Record. Read our first thoughts here." - Will Hartman, Willa Moore

"Unless you’re a regular at Lavo or you spend your evenings drinking $30 bellinis at The Plaza, Midtown probably isn’t a neighborhood you associate with going out. There is, however, a newcomer in the East 40s where you can sit in a booth surrounded by curtains and hear some loud music compliments of a DJ. Agency of Record is a from the folks behind Nomad speakeasy Patent Pending, and it’s a big space with concrete floors, 1950s decor, and a menu that features fancy bar food and impressive cocktails, like a Manhattan variation with cold brew and black sesame." - Bryan Kim, Sonal Shah, Neha Talreja, Kenny Yang

"Most Midtown bars serving $20 cocktails are sleepy places filled with servers in bowties and commuters who’d rather not go home. For something a little more lively, try Agency Of Record. Incredibly loud and dark enough to qualify as a rave, this spacious spot from the team looks like an underground club with a 1950s theme. There are framed advertisements for cigarettes and whiskey on the walls, and you’ll see a DJ in the corner tinkering with a few turntables. If you’re meeting up with someone in the area, and you need a spot that isn’t boring, book a table. The cocktails are all twists on classics—try the Manhattan variation with black sesame, and the food menu has things like grilled prawns and a french onion burger. " - Bryan Kim