Saturday, Sept. 25th, 2010—Bar 258

Day 258—Friday, September 24th, 2010
Bar Pleiades (Originally headed for Bemelmans Bar In the Carlyle Hotel)
Okay, last Friday went so well at Sir Harry’s in the Waldorf Plaza, I thought I’d try another famous hotel bar. Bemelman’s Bar is named after Ludwig Bemelmans, the writer and illustrator of chidren’s books, most notably the Madeline series. The bar features a mural of Madeline and her friends in Central Park which is the only surviving Bemelmans open to the public. Alright, tidy yourself up and it’s off to the posh walls of Bemelmans Bar. Tally ho and all that jazz.

And here we are, the Carlyle Hotel. Now it's off to find the bar.

And here it is, Bemelmans Bar. Kooky!

Holy shitballs, it's packed in here. Three deep at the bar and this guy's red shirt just burned out my left retina. Time to move on.

Time for a lonely walk on the Upper East Side.

Okay, here's another hotel, let's see what their bar scene is like.

Motherfucker, it's packed in here too. And these people look like asshole people. Time to keep moving on.

But one block away I spy this sign.

It's a bar in the Surrey Hotel. Let's keep our eyes crossed that this place isn't packed.

Yes! A dark, candle-lit bar with plenty of open seats. Looks like we're home.

And George the friendly bartender is happy to mix up a well-deserved drink. While I usually opt out for a beer, Bar Pleiades is a cocktail bar, so when in Rome: Rome, Rome Rome your boat...or something like that.

I ordered a cocktail called, The Fortune Teller and George expertly mixed it up. Here he puts the final flouish on the drink.

And here's the drink in all its glory. It was delicious!

A shot of the well-stocked bar.

The candle-lit lounge area opposite the bar.

There's lots of table and banquettes in the back of the bar.

Meanwhile back at the bar, bar manager Cameron serves up a beer to cleanse the pallette between cocktails.

Bar snacks!

A long shot of the bar. Hey, who's that down there?

It's Cameron's cute girlfriend, Katie enjoying a glass of wine.

The bar closes at midnight, so it's time for last call.

I ordered the drink called "P's and Q's" at Cameron's suggestion. Here George expertly mixes it up.

The drink is named after Cameron's friend, Paul Quin. To Paul Quin! Cheers, everyone and goodnight, everybody.

Review
Bar Pleiades located in the luxurious Surrey Hotel on the Upper East Side. The bar is dark, black and white and candle-lit, making it a perfect place for a first or second date or a late night rendezvous. There’s a lounge area opposite the bar with comfortable couches, chairs and tables and more tables and an open area with tables and banquettes in the back of the bar.

The drink menu is designed by bar manager extraordinaire, Cameron Bogue. Bar Pleiades is a cocktail bar and some of the specialties here include: the Fortune Teller which mixes Reposado tequila, lillet blanc, honey, cardamom and Chinese 5 spice grilled lemon; the Cornucopia which is made up of gin, kirsch, lemon, apricot and sage; the Beijing Mule which is saffron roasted pear infused vodka yuzu and house fermented ginger beer and the Ps & Qs which is bonded rye, cocchi americano, amer picon, cherry bark and vanilla bitters. There’s also a bar menu with offerings such as: Market Oysters, Crispy Prawns, Charred Octopus Salad and Beef Sliders.

Bar Pleiades
20 E. 76th St. (@Madison Ave.)
212-772-2600

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And now a video for Jaws (Fire up a martini and enjoy, Jaws!)