King Cole Bar
Bar · Midtown East ·
Classic cocktails beneath famed Maxfield Parrish mural; Bloody Mary icon
Classic cocktails beneath famed Maxfield Parrish mural; Bloody Mary icon
"Few hotel bars boast the classic, Old New York charm of the King Cole Bar. Located in Midtown at the St. Regis Hotel, this quintessential cocktail bar hosted the legendary likes of Marilyn Monroe and John Lennon—and continues to captivate the hearts of curious cocktail lovers who want to step back in time. Set beneath a Maxfield Parrish mural of Old King Cole himself, the bar is best known for its signature Bloody Mary (though it offers an array of classic cocktails). Legend has it that the well-known bartender Fernand Petiot refined George Jessel’s original version of the drink behind this very bar—though at the time, it went by The Red Snapper, as upscale clientele didn’t take too well to the then-controversial name. Expect to spend a pretty penny, and don’t come too hungry—although the bar’s snack trio dish promises to keep you salivating." - CNT Editors
"By the 1930s, New York City’s King Cole Bar at the St. Regis Hotel had already helped make the Bloody Mary recipe more involved; Worcestershire sauce—a complex blend of vinegar, fermented anchovies, molasses, and seasonings—was identified as a vital early ingredient that contributed to the cocktail’s savory balance." - Prairie Rose
"A nearly century-old, intimate hotel cocktail bar that reopened after an eight-month renovation and remains famous for its venerated Bloody Mary, perfected here in 1934. The cozy 10-seat mahogany counter is dominated by an iconic Maxfield Parrish mural and has long attracted A-list visitors and served as a backdrop for films and television. Its storied history, classic service, and enduring atmosphere helped secure its top ranking in the 2025 Global Tastemakers Awards." - Brad Japhe
"Perched at the edge of the St. Regis lobby, this moody den — a cozy, ten-seat mahogany bar crowned by a hypnotizing Maxfield Parrish mural — has drawn New York’s social set since the early 20th century. Credited with conceiving the venerated Bloody Mary in 1934, it has hosted A‑list figures from Salvador Dali and Marilyn Monroe to John Lennon and has been the backdrop for numerous films and TV shows. After an eight-month renovation completed in September, the menu pairs time-tested signatures (including the beloved Red Snapper, Martinis, and Manhattans) with modernized specialties such as a vodka soda infused with fresh strawberries and lemongrass; the bar’s signature Martini variation mixes Tanqueray gin, Martini Rosso vermouth, and amaro, finished with a burnt orange peel. Reimagined by Champalimaud Design, the interior now features midnight-blue carpeting, plump purple-velvet seating, enhanced lighting, and an expanded glass entry that frames the stern painted monarch above the bar, creating a plush, nostalgic luxury where decades of Midtown gossip and $30 cocktails collide. The venue remains a polished magnet for high-profile patrons and social chatter, equally glamorous and gently pretentious." - Brad Japhe
"Operating since 1932 inside a historic midtown hotel founded by John Jacob Astor IV, this Gilded Age lobby bar is anchored by an oversized Maxfield Parrish mural and a reputation for refined, swanky service. Its signature cocktail is the Red Snapper — the original Bloody Mary conceived here by French barman Fernand Petiot — and the menu still highlights that bold vodka-and-tomato blend alongside several umami-rich variations that are regarded as must-tries." - Brad Japhe