Planning a birthday outing- upscale lounge/bar

[vvvindaloo]

Hi all, I am trying to hammer out the final details for an all-day birthday celebration later this week. Late night supper is set: dell'Anima (anyone who has any pointers for me regarding what to order, please respond). We need a cool spot to go for mid/late afternoon drinks, preferably on the west side, and I am close to convinced that we should choose one of the bars at the Mandarin Oriental. However, I heard that one or both of the bars at the hotel may be closed to non-guests. Can anyone tell me if this is true, and if so, which one (Lobby Lounge or MO Bar)?
Also, I understand that the view is phenomenal- but the cocktails should also be special. Please advise!
Thank you in advance

[vvvindaloo]

Thank you so much to everyone who replied. The Lobby Lounge was a great experience. Upon arriving, we were told that there would be a short wait for tables in the lounge, even though there were a decent number of empty ones. We spent about 30 minutes in the other bar (where we enjoyed our first drink) while we waited. The bar has a long list of house cocktails, all costing $19. I had a "Blood and Sand" followed by a classic Manhattan. The complimentary salty/sweet snacks were the perfect accompaniment and the mood was appropriately hip and elegant. Our server in the bar area made a little bit of small talk with us, and I made sure to slip in the fact that we were celebrating birthdays. They eventually gave us a very nice table in the lounge right in front of the window. Then they brought out a gorgeous (and delicious) tray of giant strawberries dipped in various sweet coatings- dark chocolate, white chocolate with candies, etc. On the house!
The room is beautiful, the view is spectacular, and the drinks are strong. Very nice, indeed. Thanks again.

[LeahBaila]

Great to hear and so glad you all enjoyed it! The Lobby Lounge is one of my favorite "special occasion" spots.

www.thelunchbelle.com

[Spiritchaser]

If a view is required then this suggestion won't help but if you are just looking for a great "vibe" and great drinks I'd say go to the Oak Bar at the Plaza.

[kobetobiko]

That's what immediately came to my mind too! :D

[Spiritchaser]

They did a great restoration but managed to keeps it's soul intact. So great to have the grande dame back.

[MWileyLach]

Last time I was there it was busy and there was a waitlist for seating. Hotel guest got priority on the waitlist, but it was definitely open to the public. For a similar experience you could check out the Stone Rose also in Time Warner. It is an upscale lounge with the same view floors down and I think they might take reservations.

[LeahBaila]

That's strange. I had drinks in the Lobby Lounge a while back, and it was certainly not closed off to non-guests. However, if things have changed since then, MoBar would still be open to the public. The views are better in the Lobby Lounge, however.
Drinks are great and the Mandarin is definitely a "special occasion" place...Not somewhere you'd frequent every weekend. I'd go for it.

www.thelunchbelle.com

[MMRuth]

My husband was told that only guests could have drinks in the bar with the great views, which I'm guessing is the Lobby Lounge? He wasn't really impressed with other bar.