665151 Fri Nov 06 07:08:12 -0800 2009 19 18 Manhattan 0 5160562 A friend and I are getting together tonight for a couple of celebratory cocktails. He works on Lexington and 63rd, and I'm on 57th and 6th. Any suggestions for a place that's nice, but not super expensive? We don't want a pub or sports bar, but we also don't want the four seasons. Looking for something kind of down the middle. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Fri Nov 06 07:08:13 -0800 2009 1111129 chorosch 1 5160678 Check out Fourty-Eight (48) on 6th Ave between 47th and 48th in the McGraw building. Great place for a cocktail whether it's a old time favorite (Martini, Manhattan) or one of thier signature house cocktails. Excellent bartenders, upscale polished vibe. Fri Nov 06 07:45:24 -0800 2009 5160562 124622 Spiritchaser 2 5160734 That's the second time someone on this board has recommended 48. What do you think it'll be like on a Friday night though? I'm in search of a place that won't be too crazy. It's kind of a long shot for Midtown after work on Friday, I know. Fri Nov 06 08:01:39 -0800 2009 5160678 1111129 chorosch 3 5160786 It will be pretty,ummmm, lively. I'm awfully fond of The Oak Bar in the Plaza as well but I don't know if that's what you are looking for either. There is also the bar at Rouge Tomate, excellent drinks with fresh ingredients (but I only recommend this place for drinks, our dinner there was lackluster at best). Fri Nov 06 08:18:06 -0800 2009 5160734 124622 Spiritchaser 4 5160834 The OP asked for a place that was "nice, but not super expensive." The Oak Bar would be extremely pricey. I've had good success at the bar at Un Deux Trois on 44th St. between Broadway and 6th Ave. It attracts a big pre-theater crowd but most of them are waiting for tables so seats at the long bar open up frequently. As curtain time approaches the place becomes quieter and quite pleasant. For a midtown place the prices are pretty reasonable too. Fri Nov 06 08:32:02 -0800 2009 5160786 10162 Bob Martinez 5 5160966 People define expensive differently I guess but the last time we were there, less than a month ago, it didn't seem all that costly. Fri Nov 06 09:12:39 -0800 2009 5160834 124622 Spiritchaser 6 5161022 Google says the drinks are $18 - $22. Is that correct? Fri Nov 06 09:32:11 -0800 2009 5160966 10162 Bob Martinez 7 5161036 Must be somewhat pricey, since no prices are listed on the menu ;-). But the cocktails on the menu do look interesting. http://www.oakroomny.com/media/oakroom.html Fri Nov 06 09:39:47 -0800 2009 5161022 10626 phoenikia 7 5161161 It certainly doesn't sound right but it may well be correct. Fri Nov 06 10:19:05 -0800 2009 5161022 124622 Spiritchaser 4 5161176 How expensive is Rouge Tomate? Is that the restaurant across from Barneys? Fri Nov 06 10:24:17 -0800 2009 5160786 1111129 chorosch 5 5161200 If memory serves me cocktails were in the 11-13 range. And yes, across from Barney's. Also, the bar space I was referring to was upstairs, I hav enot been to the downstairs area except a quick walk through. Fri Nov 06 10:29:57 -0800 2009 5161176 124622 Spiritchaser 2 5161014 Does Fourty-Eight mostly get an afterwork drinks crowd? Would it still be fairly busy later on a Friday night, around 10 or 11 pm? http://www.48nyc.com/ Fri Nov 06 09:29:23 -0800 2009 5160678 10626 phoenikia 3 5161208 Really not sure, the couple times we have been there was to kill some time before dinner reservations and was during the week around 6. You could see more people showing up a bit later. Fri Nov 06 10:32:35 -0800 2009 5161014 124622 Spiritchaser 1 5161001 I guess what I mean by not expensive is not more than $14 for a cocktail. Wine $8-$12. Beer should be under $8. I may be asking the impossible.... a cool place that doesn't cost a fortune and won't be so crowded on a friday night that we have to stand in the doorway and shout at each other to be heard. I've found lots of bars that are hole in the wall, happy hour joints. I've found lots that are very elegant and very trendy. I just refuse to believe there isn't one little midtown gem out there. I'm hoping to find something in the gap between rowdy tv bar and rush hour pick up scene. Fri Nov 06 09:25:58 -0800 2009 5160562 1111129 chorosch 2 5161676 There is Volstead on 54th, bet. Lex and Park. http://www.thevolstead.com/ It's not the coolest place in the world but I have been there a couple of times for driks with friends and it is very comfortable, not too expensive and the waiters are not pushy. You can have a conversation and a good time without feeling that you have to keep ordering or leave! Fri Nov 06 12:54:47 -0800 2009 5161001 17192 Toot 1 5161228 Another favorite that I completely forgot is the bar at the MOMA. I know their cocktails fall in the 12-14 range and beers under 10. We've only been there at odd times so I don't know if it gets crowded during prime time. Fri Nov 06 10:39:39 -0800 2009 5160562 124622 Spiritchaser 2 5161548 Brasserie 8 1/2 on 57th between 6th & 7th (might be 5th & 6th), has a really nice bar/lounge, it's in an office building downstairs. Fri Nov 06 12:17:03 -0800 2009 5161228 174125 owlwoman 2 5163379 On a Friday night the bar at the Modern is fairly crowded but not shoulder to shoulder. It is, however, pretty loud. Sat Nov 07 10:24:58 -0800 2009 5161228 10936 kathryn 1 5162267 I know it's Friday night and you're probably already out, but for future reference give Tao a shot for cocktails. Great atmosphere, kinda hip, lots of space (2 bars - one that's more of a lounge downstairs and a proper bar upstairs), cool stuff to look at, good drink menu. In my experience the bartenders are good as well...I've asked them to whip up something not on the menu and I haven't been disappointed yet. Tao is at 58th between 5th and Madison. Fri Nov 06 16:16:52 -0800 2009 5160562 1122386 J.swiz 1 5162707 Pranna 79 Madison Ave., nr. 28th St. 212-696-5700 Toloache 251 W. 50th St. (212-581-1818) The Best Margaritas Midtown Has to Offer Fri Nov 06 21:34:11 -0800 2009 5160562 32941 Rmis32