The sun, the moon, the stars … summers are made for winding down, living it up, being a little indulgent, and turning on some extra outgoing spirit. Looking for your next happy place? Here are BELLA’s very best ways to wine, dine, mix and mingle – with winners in 15 categories!
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Best Appetizer
The crown jewel of the Times Square restaurant scene, Blue Fin, is a destination for seafood and sushi in New York City. Be sure to dive into Blue Fin’s amazing Bang – Bang Edamame (classic Kung Pao, toasted peanuts) for the perfect pre-dinner nibble. (Incredibly addicting!)
W Hotel Times Square, 1567 Broadway (at 47th Street), NYC – BlueFinNYC.com
Best Coffee + Donuts
Since 1964, The Donut Pub has come to represent NYC at its very best, brightest, and most delicious. Born and raised in Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, owner Buzzy Geduld – better known to some as a legendary New York trader – actually started the Donut Pub with his brother after losing his first job as a quote boy on the trading floor—and the rest is sweet history. From old-fashioned classics like crullers and honey-dipped, to modern favorites like their best-selling croissant donuts, the Donut Pub is an iconic treasure trove of treats. (It’s open 24/7 and brews the best coffee in town!)
203 West 14th Street (at 7th Ave), NYC – DonutPub.com
Best New Nightclub
Work hard, play hard, and head to the best place to party, which just got even better: Premier Nightclub at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is a new 18,000-square-foot venue that offers an experience unmatched in Atlantic City. It seriously rivals top clubs in Vegas, Miami, and New York! Before you dance the night away, try a dish from Borgata’s celebrity chefs, such as Bobby Flay, Wolfgang Puck, and Geoffrey Zakarian.
1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ – TheBorgata.com
Best Urban Escape
As if transported from the streets of Old Havana, Hotel Hugo’s Azul On The Rooftop channels a Cuban cantina vibe against the backdrop of magnificent 360-degree views of Lower Manhattan. Sip some White Sangria and soak in the view.
525 Greenwich Street, NYC – AzulRooftop.com
Best Cocktail Menu
Up for a drink? Head to mad46, the chic rooftop lounge on the 19th floor of The Roosevelt Hotel. A stellar signature drink menu is offered with choices, including the Mad Mojito, complete with white-chocolate stick and shaved coconut. Other signature cocktails include the Teddy Roosevelt, the Mad Smash, and the Caipirinha Fresca with fresh watermelon. Hello happy hour!
Madison Avenue at 46th Street, NYC – Mad46.com
Best Suite Terrace
At The Omni Berkshire Place, the Rodgers & Hammerstein Suite features 1,000 square feet of living space in which renowned Broadway writers Rodgers and Hammerstein crafted some of their most famous musical works. The historic suite is complemented by a walkout, wrap-around terrace, a full master bath with a luxurious spa tub, and much more. Magical!
21 East 52nd Street at Madison Avenue, OmniHotels.com/hotels/new-york-berkshire
Best Beachy Vibe
Pizza Beach LES is a vibrant venue surrounded by large windows, bold colors, and bright string lights to make you feel like you are in paradise. With its beach-designed theme filled with surfboards, hanging plants, cast open French doors, and photos of gorgeous beaches from around the world, Pizza Beach encompasses a 90s-retro Malibu vibe. (Pizza + Watermelon Martini = perfection!)
167 Orchard Street (at Stanton Street), NYC – PizzaBeachClub.com
Best Hotel Penthouse
Feeling like a VIP? The indulgent convertible one-, two-, or three-bedroom, 2,000-square-foot Duplex Presidential Suite at Gansevoort Park Avenue boasts all the premium amenities you could ever desire. The bi-level, unique layout features a stunning two-story Carrera fireplace, hardwood floors throughout, a lofty dining and lounging terrace with exquisite city views, and much more. It’s over-the-top sexy!
420 Park Avenue South, GansevoortHotelGroup.com
Best New Restaurant
The hottest reservation in town, VANDAL, celebrates the art, architecture, and food of global street culture from Vietnam to Barcelona, and beyond. The 22,000-square-foot, two-level space has been conceived as a maze-like space filled with old, undiscovered private rooms and catacombs, including a bar/lounge, restaurant, private dining room, cellar bar/lounge, and Secret Garden.
199 Bowery, NYC – VandalNewYork.com
Best Rooftop
Mr. Purple is a rooftop bar and restaurant located on the 15th floor of Hotel Indigo Lower East Side that ideally captures the vibrant and artistic spirit of the LES. Boasting two outdoor terraces, the venue recreates a hip, artist-loft ambiance. The larger terrace includes its own swimming pool and outdoor bar, a perfect setting for yummy bites and signature sips against the backdrop of NYC.
Hotel Indigo, 180 Orchard Street, 15th floor, NYC – MrPurpleNYC.com
Best Sunset Sail
A sunset sail at Montauk Yacht Club Resort & Marina is a romantic whisk away in true Montauk fashion. Enjoy a chilled glass of Champagne, kick back, and soak in the beauty of the Montauk shoreline with a stunning sunset backdrop. The resort’s guest rooms, villas, and suites feature nautical-inspired décor and private balconies or terraces that overlook the waterfront or the tranquil courtyard.
32 Star Island Road, Montauk – MontaukYachtClub.com
Best Date-Night Lounge
With stunning 360-degree views of the city, Upstairs at the Kimberly Hotel is the perfect spot to amp up the romance under the stars. The lounge has a retractable ceiling and walls for a rooftop view, rain or shine. Enjoy the unbeatable view of the iconic Chrysler building, signature cocktails, and small plates.
145 E. 50th Street, NYC – UpstairsNYC.com
Best Bloody Mary
Located in Hotel 48LEX, Lexington Brass is a modern American bistro offering unique twists on classic fare. Every weekend, guests who brunch have the option to build their own Bloody Mary for just $10. Tap into your creative side and make the ultimate brunch cocktail by picking your favorite toppings off a list of various spirits and fun fixings, including oysters, pickled okra, pepperoncini, and bacon.
517 Lexington Avenue, NYC – Hotel48LexNewYork.com
Best Dinner + Dessert
Got a hungry heart? Well, Mastro’s is the crème de la crème of high-end eating. Katie Holmes, Channing Tatum, Iggy Azalea, Jessica Simpson, and Kobe Bryant (to name a few!)– you can catch them any night of the week eating at this glamorous restaurant. Order what you want for dinner (it’s all good!), but do not leave without trying their Signature Warm Butter Cake. Dreamy!
1285 Avenue of the Americas, NYC – MastrosRestaurants.com
Best Hotel Lobby
From the lobby’s hand-blown glass to the breathtaking vestibule assembled using 670 pieces of faceted steel, and the 14-foot fireplace, almost everything at Marmara Park Avenue has been custom-designed and individually produced by artisans in the five boroughs. Led by New York artist/designer Joe Ginsberg with his own living space in mind, Ginsberg tapped a circle of New York artisans to furnish Marmara Park Avenue’s guest rooms and public areas with his designs. 114 East 32nd Street, NYC – Park.Marmaranyc.com
Best Picnic Spirit
Luc Belaire, a popular French sparkling wine, makes the ultimate brunch bubbly. It’s offered in a Rosé Cuvée and a Brut Gold Cuvée, produced by 5th- and 6th-generation winemakers in two of France’s finest winemaking regions: Provence and Burgundy. Exceptional taste and beyond chic — your fancy picnic in the park will be perfected!
Available nationally, $29.95 – $34.95, LucBelaire.com
Best Pre-Broadway Bites
Located as a part of the hotel Row NYC in Times Square, City Kitchen is one of the best food halls in NYC. With seven vendors from eateries like Whitman’s, Luke’s Lobster, Azuki, Kuro Obi, Dough, ilili Box, and Gabriela’s Taqueria, it’s the perfect spot to enjoy some food before going to a Broadway show. (It’s also relatively inexpensive with most meals costing less than $20!)
700 8th Avenue at 44th Street, NYC – RowNYC.com
City Kitchen photo credit: Michael Kleinberg
