Liberty Hall at Ace Hotel

Liberty Hall is the latest addition to the Ace Hotel's lineup of spots, which currently includes chef April Bloomfield's The Breslin and the always-mobbed Ace Lobby Bar. Liberty, located in the hotel's basement, runs with the "cellar rec room" vibe. A smattering of mismatched chairs and beat-up-looking tables dot the dimly lit room. The posh catacombs draw well-dressed scenesters who can afford the hotel-bar prices but still want to hang in a low-key environment. You can access the bar through a separate entrance on 29th Street, so you don't have to deal with the trendy hordes that flock to the restaurant and bar upstairs. The spot is currently a work in progress, with an ad hoc bar consisting of a few folding tables that are sure to be replaced, and live music acts will rotate with the DJs that currently play the bar. The schedule is also in flux. It’s closed Sunday through Tuesday, and private events sometimes take over the space on other nights. Buzz alert: Jazz-age piano spot Tin Pan Alley is also rumored to be under development at the hotel.

See more: Lounge bars