Bemelmans Bar, Upper East Side
14 people recommend, 1 warns against itvia r/AskNYC, r/FoodNYC18 comments cited below
What people say, in short
Bemelmans is repeatedly recommended for an old-New-York cocktail and piano-bar experience, with martinis singled out in the discussion. One patron considers it worth the cost, while another warns that it can be expensive and difficult to enter. Crowd reactions are mixed: commenters mention tourists, influencer popularity and an interior they like more than the company. A longtime visitor recalls enjoying champagne cocktails there but dislikes its newer social-media appeal.
Address
Bemelmans Bar, 35 E 76th St, New York, NY 10021
At a glance
- Price
- Premium
- Best for
- Cocktails
- Opinions divided
- Yes
- Known for
- Martinis, Piano bar, Champagne cocktails
Nearby on this map
Other places on this map closest to Bemelmans Bar, Upper East Side, as the crow flies.
The evidence
Every point below is paraphrased from a real public comment, ordered by how much the community engaged with it. Caveats and negatives are kept in — follow any link to read the original for yourself.
- Recommendsu/Striking-Owl-1970 in r/AskNYC · Nov 2025ambience
Loves Bemelmans as part of old-world New York.
- Recommendsu/henreiman in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2023
Says it would be the best bet aside from the pricing constraint.
- Recommendsu/dsc309 in r/FoodNYC · Oct 2024
Immediately recommends Bemelman's as the obvious choice for this request.
- Recommendsu/jryan727 in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2023ambience
Says it is worth the cost if you can manage it; calls it a legitimate old New York cocktail and piano bar.
- Mixedu/arfyron in r/AskNYC · May 2026
Suggests it but cautions it may be a bit touristy.
- Recommendsu/The_RoyalPee in r/FoodNYC · Oct 2024
Endorses Bemelman's as another good choice alongside The Odeon.
- Recommendsu/lichtmlm in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2023
Calls it a classic cocktail bar; notes it can be hard to get into, and its martinis run pricey.
- Recommendsu/chicagoturkergirl in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2023
Expresses love for Bemelmans.
Show all 18 cited comments
- Recommendsu/citizenschnapps in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2023ambience
Calls it classic old-school NYC.
- Recommendsu/SoothedSnakePlant in r/FoodNYC · Oct 2024
Calls Bemelman's the most iconic option for this combination and notes it is especially known for martinis.
- Recommendsu/FGNYC in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2023ambience
Recommends the classic cocktail and piano-bar setting at the Carlyle.
- Mixedu/ardent_hellion in r/AskNYC · Nov 2025ambience
Has loved it for years and orders champagne cocktails there, but says it has become a social-media hotspot.
- Recommendsu/DFVSUPERFAN in r/FoodNYC · Nov 2023
Agrees with the Bemelmans recommendation.
- Mixedu/forgetuknewmyname in r/AskNYC · Nov 2025ambience
Calls the interior cool but finds the crowd weird.
- Recommendsu/LancelotLinque in r/FoodNYC · Oct 2024
Says Bemelman's might be the better first pick, with Maison Premiere a strong second option.
- Recommendsu/Fonduextreme in r/AskNYC · Feb 2024
Suggests it as a pick in the Upper East Side area.
- Caveatu/Ghee-Buttersnaps- in r/AskNYC · Nov 2025ambience
Reacts with dismay after hearing it has become popular with influencers.
- Recommendsu/Ill-Raisin-7313 in r/AskNYC · May 2026
Floats it as another option to consider.
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Freshness
Details last checked 11 Nov 2026. Recommendations reflect what people said at the time; confirm current details before you go.