Madame George

Below street level on 45th between Fifth and Sixth, a bare lobby and a long staircase (or an elevator, for those who'd rather skip it) lead down to a room lit in warm yellow and red, with jewel-toned velvet seating built for close conversation. Opened in 2022, the bar plays classic hip-hop and R&B instead of the usual jazz, and serves cocktails like the Concrete Jungle and Bigelow Buzz in bodega cups and teacups rather than standard glassware. Food runs from wagyu Dogs of Wall Street with caviar to General Tso's chicken in a takeout box. Reservations for six or fewer go through OpenTable.