Le Bar Penelope

“Cozy social club/music venue packed with jetsetters, waspy CEO’s, cool-kids, and scantily-clad waitresses. From the same owners as Avra restaurant (there’s an Avra next door). Wednesday nights are the busy night featuring a sassy piano player who starts his show at 9:30pm (the place morphs into a dance club during his set). Other nights features a DJ. Food is pretty good (finger foods, mostly) with a distinctive drinks menu. Reservations can be hard to get (two bouncers in front are impossible to slip by). Note: The staff repeatedly tried to charge our table a “minimum fee of $1015”. Decor is amazing. Crowd is fun and looking for a good time (the place fits approx 150 people, max). Located adjacent to Central Park. Celebs occasionally spotted here. Wednesday night piano performer is VERY entertaining and energetic.”

“I can’t offer a full review, as I stopped by briefly after dinner at The Metropolitan Club simply to see the place. However, I was genuinely impressed. The atmosphere was elegant, the staff were very friendly, and the drinks were excellent. Overall, the experience left a very positive impression. The doorman was also very accommodating and kindly allowed me in without a reservation after I mentioned I had just come from the club. That said, presentation matters. It’s important to dress well and carry yourself with a certain level of class. If you don’t fit the atmosphere they’re aiming for, even a reservation may not guarantee entry.”

“Don’t always trust the negative reviews. We decided to try this lounge bar anyway and were pleasantly surprised. The service was outstanding, the food tasted great, and the atmosphere was lively but comfortable. Staff were very attentive and made us feel welcome. Overall, a really enjoyable experience. We’ll definitely be back!”

“A+ Perfect score. Best ambience, such comfortable spacious seating, fantastic cocktails and delicious table bites. This is just what the neighborhood needed. The service is what truly made it a top experience, with stellar service from the gracious doorman, hostess and servers. We called to inform the hostess we were late from UN traffic and she was so sweet. Our waitress had the best attitude and really knew the menu and helped us navigate our choices. I liked that the crowd was diverse and lots of different types of people and ages. They really put some thought into creating this establishment and just like Avra it’s a hit! It’s a great place to dress up which I love! Can’t wait to go back. Final note, everyone smiling and the warm good night was a nice touch, we need more of that in the City.”

“Really nice décor with warm, flattering lighting. I came for drinks on a friend’s recommendation (they booked a table), and the space makes a great first impression. We were seated directly under a speaker that got progressively louder as the night went on, which made it a bit hard to relax or have a conversation. Food-wise, the fried calamari was excellent—crispy, well-seasoned, and not greasy. The crispy rice tuna bites were also solid. Drinks were decent, and service throughout the night was attentive and on top of things. The crowd skewed very Bridge-and-Tunnel, a little trashy, depending on your mood—not necessarily a bad thing, just something to be aware of before you go. If that vibe works for your night out, you’ll probably have a good time.”