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NYC Fireplaces: The Best Bars to Light Your Fire


The weather outside may be frightful, but there are lots of chic, warm lounges and bars in Manhattan where you can find a bit of heaven. Enjoying a seasonal cocktail, local beer, or glass of wine while basking in the glow of a fire is always a great idea, especially after a long day of shopping or an afternoon of ice skating. For those who easily cozy up to the idea of warming by a fire, look no further than these intimate bars with fireplaces, which range from casual to ultra posh.

NYC Fireplaces: Library Bar

Just off Columbus Circle, find the rich mahoganies, full bookshelves, leather sofas, and quirky cow photographs of the eccentric millionaire who must’ve decorated the Library Bar. This unique Midtown destination also offers diversions like pool and chess, although these activities are often hard to come by with weekend crowds during the cold months. Expect trendy (and expensive) craft cocktails and a young crowd, and settle into the wintry setting by the warm fire. 358 W 58th St., 212-554-6000, morganshotelgroup.com

NYC Fireplaces: Polo Bar

Cap off a chilly day of Fifth Avenue window-shopping (and actual shopping) with Polo Bar, located in the Polo Ralph Lauren store at Fifth Ave. and East 55th Street. This bistro manages to be posh and lodgey at once. The dinner menu presents a mix of upscale bar-food dishes like the fantastic burger and pumpkin tortelli with white truffle. Right now, cocktails include the Polo Bar Autumn Punch with two kinds of rum, pear puree, cinnamon, and citrus. Be sure to call far in advance for a reservation, as this is a tough table to get! 1 E 55th Ave., 212-207-8562, ralphlauren.com

NYC Fireplaces: The Lambs Club

The Lambs Club impresses right away with its deep red banquets and Art Deco accents. The centerpiece of the dining room is the gigantic floor-to-ceiling fireplace. This Times Square treasure fits the pre-theater crowd perfectly, with impressive New American fare from Chef Geoffrey Zakarian and excellent service. Enjoy a New York strip with red wine sauce—or just a red wine on its own, and enjoy the jazz combo frequently taking a corner of the restaurant to complete the classic New York ambiance. 132 W 44th St., 212-997-5262, thelambsclub.com

NYC Fireplaces: The Lodge at Gallow Green

Do outdoor fire pits count as fireplaces? For this list, we say yes. The Lodge at Gallow Green is a winter-themed pop-up at the McKittrick Hotel’s rooftop bar in Chelsea. The winter cabin will contain a full-on bed (!) for lounging, a cozy armchair, and an outdoor fire pit with a roaring flame to warm your hands by. If last year’s version is to be repeated, they’ll also serve yummy hot toddies and piping-hot pizzas from the wood-burning oven. Keep your night going and rev up your adrenaline at the interactive play Sleep No More, staged on the floors below Gallow Green. 542 W 27th St., 212-564-1662, mckittrickhotel.com

NYC Fireplaces: Molly’s

Those seeking an Irish welcome in casual digs should head to Molly’s. Offering an authentic Irish drinking and dining experience, Molly’s is a traditional bar complete with a log-burning fireplace and sawdust scattered on the floor. The Gramercy pub boasts a warm vibe—from the friendly staff to the glow of the fire. During the holidays, the place goes wild with twinkle lights as well. Slainte! 287 3rd Ave., 212-889-3361, mollysshebeen.com

NYC Fireplaces: Society Cafe

A warm, spacious dining room complete with fireplace, Society Cafe is located on the ground floor of the Walker Hotel sources ingredients from the Union Square greenmarket nearby. Try a Boogie Woogie cocktail with bourbon, rosemary-infused aperol, grapefruit, and honey. Their brunch cocktail game is on-point too, with four varieties of Bloody Mary and the Laura Palmer (a spiked Arnold Palmer and a nod to Twin Peaks fans). Friday and Saturday nights, you’ll even get to hear live jazz in tribute to the original Society Café, a Village jazz club that was once a staple of the neighborhood’s music scene. 52 W 13th St., 212-300-4525, societycafenyc.com

NYC Fireplaces: Art Bar

Funky West Village staple Art Bar has been around since the 90s. It’s cozy all the way through, greeting you at the door with deep red walls and green semicircle booths, while the back section is meant for more serious lounging (that’s the part with the fireplace). Local art decks the walls, and happy hour is worth a try if you’re in the area. 52 8th Ave., 212-727-0244, artbar.com

NYC Fireplaces: The Back Room

Authenticity draws drinkers of all stripes to The Back Room. This actual Prohibition-era speakeasy saw patrons like Bugsy Malone and was known as The Back of Ratner’s in the 1920s. Walk down a small alley in the Lower East Side to find The Back Room, a more popular speakeasy that embraces its heritage with decor like patterned wallpaper, crystal chandeliers, and antique armchairs and sofas. Oh, and don’t be surprised when your martini comes in a teacup—a lesser-known period detail that adds to the charm. 102 Norfolk St., 212-228-5098, backroomnyc.com

NYC Fireplaces: Black Mountain Wine House

With a name vaguely reminiscent of a Led Zeppelin song, this lodgey bar is a popular pick for Brooklynites looking to get cozy. Their rotating list of wines pair well with small plates like charcuterie, a goat cheese tart, cheese plate, and truffle mac. In addition to the crackling fire, enjoy the rustic ambiance of Adirondack chairs, farm tools hanging on the walls, and friendly staff. 415 Union St., 718-522-4340, blkmtnwinehouse.com

NYC Fireplaces: Union Hall 

Located in the heart of Williamsburg, Brooklyn, Union Hall is a sprawling bar that has multiple fireplaces, in addition to space for a bocce court. 702 Union Street, Brooklyn, 718-638-4400, unionhallny.com.




About the Author

Merrill Lee Girardeau lives and writes in Brooklyn.

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