The best Midtown cocktail bars

Whether you're drawn to the Roaring 20s or the quirks of the Mid-Century, you can find both at Dear Irving on Hudson. High above the streets of Midtown on the 40th floor, you'll be transported back to the Jazz Age, with bead-draped interiors as shimmering as the skyline outside. Up on the 41st floor, enjoy cozy seating nooks and funky geometric furniture that evokes classic 60s Bond films - as referenced by the posters of 007 and the display of Fleming novels.

However, choosing a floor is as difficult as choosing one of Dear Irving's creative cocktails. With seasonal flavors and non-alcoholic options crafted by bartender Meaghan Dorman, you might just be inspired to take up a career as a burgeoning mixologist. Luckily, Dear Irving hosts cocktail classes where you can try your hand at making some of their signature drinks.

Dear Irving on Hudson can be split into four event spaces, each accommodating up to 75 guests, and 300 altogether for a total buyout. They also offer wedding packages that include everything from the cake to an ordained minister.

Around the corner from Carnegie Hall, you can step back in time to 1910s New York at Tanner Smith's. Named after the infamous Upper West Side gangster, this Midtown cocktail bar takes inspiration from Smith's own establishments, the Winona Club and the Marginal Club. These acted as meeting places for Smith's gang and speakeasies once Prohibition was in full effect.

Nowadays, the only traces of this unsavory history lie in the names of Tanner Smith's cocktails and the rustic decor. This bar is less a spot for criminal activity and more a place to grab a drink with friends or partake in the especially gangster Tipsy Tea Brunch. However, they have kept the spirit of the original speakeasy intact with Polly's, a glamorous cocktail bar that doubles as their event space located below the main dining hall.

The entire venue includes five separate event spaces that can be configured to suit your party. They also offer a full buyout for 250+ guests and can include open bar and appetizer packages.

With a towering display of bottles behind the bar and a resident jazz band that plays modern classics like Amy Winehouse songs, Valerie is the perfect place for a glitzy gathering. The ornate decor, grand staircase, and posters of silent film stars give the space a sense of Roaring 20s grandeur.

The menu includes a wide variety of unique gin and tonics as well as creative takes on classic cocktails, like the S'mores Old Fashioned. They also serve elevated comfort food on their brunch, lunch, and dinner menus.

For events, you can rent out sections of the space, such as the Blushing Bar which looks out over the dining hall and has its own private bar. This mezzanine can accommodate up to 75 guests, but the venue offers a full buyout for bigger parties.

The Parlour Room would be the perfect venue for an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery party or the ideal meeting spot for a book club. With its cozy seating arrangements and book-covered walls, this bar feels like the study of a manor house crossed with Central Perk from Friends.

In keeping with the bookish theme, their cocktail menu takes inspiration from famous authors with drinks like "The Gatsby Royale" and "Catcher in the Rye." The Parlour Room also has an impressive collection of over 450 whiskeys and offers tasting flights to let your party sample them based on region.

The Parlour Room can host up to 200 guests for a full buyout. The mezzanine and study are available for more intimate gatherings of 15 to 40 people.

Oscar Wilde once said "Everything in moderation, including moderation" and this bar has certainly taken that sentiment to heart. Oscar Wilde, the bar, is a maximalist's dream — every inch is covered with knick-knacks, paintings, and even fireplaces that originally warmed the halls of Irish castles.

The Celtic influence continues on the drink menu with cocktails inspired by Irish musicians, such as the "From Eden" based on the song by Hozier. Oscar Wilde also serves a dinner menu of small plates and signature entrees as well as a weekend afternoon tea and a late-night Friday menu.

The venue offers a full buyout for up to 225 people. The intriguingly named Temptation Room can accommodate private dining for 30-65 people. You can also reserve just the whiskey bar or main bar for smaller parties.