Whether you’ll be hitting up the Fashion Week shows as a guest or ogling at the celebrities as they descend upon Bryant Park, it’ll be a long week of style for New York City. Fortunately, there are plenty of nightspots within walking distance of the park that will give you a dose of relaxation and don’t require an invitation for entry. Here are some of our favorites:
Bar 41
206 W. 41st St. at Seventh Avenue
212-703-8608
You’ll feel like a fashionista here if you haven’t been sitting front row at the shows or gotten invites to swanky after-parties. Located inside Hotel 41, Bar 41 has paneled walls, modern furniture and muted lighting that attract locals and the hotel’s younger guests. A bonus: Happening Happy Hour, which takes place weekdays from 4 to 7 p.m. and offers half-priced beers, wines and well drinks.
Maggie’s Place
21 E. 47th St. at Madison Avenue
212-753-5757
This unpretentious pub is a good choice if you’re tired of fashion-speak. Maggie’s offers 15 beers on tap, as well as tasty lunch and dinner menus with burgers, pasta and fish and chips. Drink up and chow down — after all, you’re not showing off clothes on the runways.
Stitch Bar and Lounge
247 W. 37th St. at Eighth Avenue
212-852-4826
With cocktails like the Anna Wintour, Silk Scarf and Stiletto (all $10), Stitch is a logical place to go after hitting up Fashion Week. The bi-level bar, a converted apparel showroom, offers daily happy hour specials including $7 cosmos and apple martinis.
Cellar Bar @ The Bryant Park Hotel
40 W. 40th St., between Fifth and Sixth avenues
212-642-2211
Far from being a dark, dank basement, this subterranean hotspot has vaulted ceilings, chic clientele and a long list of specialty cocktails. Practice your runway walk on the weekends, when the bar hosts DJs that play house and electronic music. Cellar Bar is also hosting two show after-parties during Fashion Week — Catherine Holstein on Sept. 7 and 3.1 Phillip Lim on Sept. 10. Unfortunately, they’re invite-only.
Fashion 40 Lounge
202 W. 40th St. at Seventh Avenue
212-221-3628
The bar’s interior has a fun, eclectic feel — palm trees and brightly colored throw pillows are mixed with low tables and white tablecloths. Head over on Monday from 5 to 8 p.m. for two-for-one martinis and well drinks.
The Australian
20 W. 38th St. at Fifth Avenue
212-869-8601
We can’t really think of a smart way to connect Australia with Fashion Week, but try this bar out anyway — it’s close to Bryant Park, it’s fun and it serves items like kangaroo sate and a beer and wine list that goes far beyond Fosters and Shiraz. Be sure to try the Ozmo ($10), the bar’s take on the cosmopolitan. Happy hour specials run Monday to Friday from 4 to 7 p.m. and offer $4 Foster’s and $6 specialty cocktails.
