There's something about hotel bars that's decidedly chic. Maybe it's because they signify big-city glamour or illicit behavior. Maybe it's because they're typically expensive, swanky, even intimidating. Who knows.

In the mood for a little swank of our own, we checked out Inc. Lounge, the latest from nightlife vet Ric Addison (Rm. Fifty5, AVA Lounge) perched on the second floor of the Time Hotel, a small boutque hotel that's literally stuck in the crux of the Theater District ("Spring Awakening" is a few doors down, "Chicago" across the street). Regardless of the fact that it's located in tourist heaven, the hotel is understated and gives off a slight Euro vibe, with its nondescript white laquered portico. We headed upstairs to see if the lounge matched.

Space: The theme is an understated 1960s Carnaby Street, and while there were some indicative touches—striped club chairs, Warhol-like prints, mod white leather settees—it certainly wasn't theme-y in any way. Sleek is the word, from the modern glass elevator whisking guests to the second floor, to the tiny individual flat-screens and low, skylit ceilings—but it's comforable, too. Composed of three main sections, the middle area feels like a narrow hallway outiftted with plush red velvet couches, striped chairs, greenery and a long, black shiny bar. At one end is an all-white sitting room and at the other, a cozy living-room space filled with mirrors in varying sizes, cowhide ottomans, graphic wallaper by Scottish textile company Timorous Beasties, and a billiards table. Maybe it's the fact that there was still daylight outside, or that the view from the window was of the aged, whitewashed exterior of the Ambassador Theatre, but we kind of felt like we were somewhere else, like a hotel in Italy.

Crowd: While it's tough to classify the crowd as a whole, it was the the men who truly stood out, thanks to their sharp, crisp, chic attire. One guy was even strutting around in a white dinner-jacket-style blazer. Wowza. Again, a slight Euro vibe permeated, and while it was likely the crowd was an after-work one, it wouldn't have shocked us to find out nobody there really worked, and that they just kind of hung out at hotel bars.

Service: Made up of a handful cute girls, the waitstaff was friendly, efficient and chatty, reccomending cocktails, bringing water, just being nice. They were quick to arrive with drinks but gave enough time for us to enjoy them. Also, we loved their Gaultier-esque twist on the standard cocktail waitress' LBD, with several thick, bondage-style criss-crossing backstraps: sexy but still cool and fashion-foward.

Drinks: The cocktail menu was composed of around 15 drinks, a few of which were eh, like the apple martini, but we understand that the lounge's location has to dictate the menu a little (what's more chic to a tourist than sipping apple martinis or cosmos in Manhattan?!!!). More attractive was the Gin & Sin ($13), a blend of gin, fresh lemon and lime juice with a splash of Chambord, as well as the none-too-sweet Mojito ($13), mixed with Bacardi Limon, fresh mint, Sprite, Pyrat XO and a Goslings floater. For those with simpler palates, an $18 scotch tasting was available and included Macallan, Oban and Lagavulin samplers. Also on hand were wines by the glass ($8-$14) and a decent beer selection, which included Brahma, Blue Moon, Peroni and Guinness ($7-$8). 

Sounds: None, for a while, until the din of chatter was intercepted by occasional bouts of non-cohesive music. Were we tuned into 106.7 FM? "Land Down Under," "When Doves Cry" and the crown jewel of Lite FM, Marvin Gaye and Tammi Terrell's "Ain't Nothing Like The Real Thing." Not saying they need to blast Fergie or Rihanna all night, but they should probably look into pulling together a cooler soundtrack in the future, to match the vibe.

Bottom line: A cool little spot to meet for a cocktail if you find yourself in the Theater District. Unlike AVA Lounge, there's no outdoor space, so it might not become a destination bar, but that might be one of its biggest strengths. It wasn't swarming with obvious tourists nor was it filled with smarmy corporati. Just a chic lounge that feels kind of hidden and upscale, but also low-key and comfortable.

Would we go back? Yes.

Inc. Lounge
Time Hotel
224 W. 49th St. at Broadway
212-320-2984

Photo: Dan Peterson

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