Neha

How to get in: if you go closer to opening you will have a higher chance to get a table but usual bar seating goes fast. I always have a wonderful time here, they have great drinks. And very good bar snacks as well. You can see the original works for “Madeline” on the walls. It’s an NYC classic

+7

Christopher Brahim

Best Martini I’ve had in New York. There was a bit of a line to get in on a Saturday afternoon, but I think the experience matched the expectation. We were seated at the bar which was great for having a couple drinks and some snacks and enjoying conversation. The lounge area was lively, yet still felt really intimate. I had definitely been wanting to try this place for a while, given its reputation as classic upper east side haunt, and it lived up. It was a great stop on our afternoon exploring Central Park and the met.

Hikaru Hatanaka

Bemelmans Bar has a nostalgic, old-fashioned atmosphere that feels timeless. The walls are covered with charming artwork, adding a unique and whimsical touch. Live jazz music was soothing, and the pianist was happy to take requests. Even visiting alone, I felt completely relaxed and welcome. I’d love to come back again soon.

Came on a weeknight and had wonderful service. My cocktail (The Jackie O) was made perfectly and the ambiance was just what the doctor ordered. Lovely piano and chill vibes. The only thing I wish they would change is having to pay more than one cover charge. If you get there during piano, that’s $10 and if you stay a little longer for jazz, it’s an additional $25. It should just be one price depending on the time you get there!

Matt

Absolutely worth a visit. We went around 4:30 on a Saturday and the line was just getting long but we only had to wait about 20 minutes. Service was great, atmosphere also great. We came specifically for the Martini. There were a few to choose from and we went with the Vesper. Loved how it was served with a sidecar on ice. No olives but maybe a Vesper doesn’t traditionally come with one. The snack mix on the table was also tasty and there were a few different options to choose from which was nice. Only complaint is our martinis weren’t ice cold. Just used to that being prioritized at other places, we were a little surprised they were served almost room temperature. Could be on purpose. Either way.

Lara Levin

Delightful atmosphere, absolutely loved the murals and the old timey feel. We went in around 2:30 pm, well before the music started, and it was really hard to get service. We had to wait for someone to leave the bar, and even then the bartender was not the most attentive. Drinks were good, definitely overpriced. You’re paying for the experience and atmosphere for sure. But not a bad way to spend a winter afternoon, if you want to be spendy.

+1

Eshita Nandini

Belmelmans used to be my favorite bar in NYC, we stop by at least once a year. This year, not sure why but everything has gone down in quality a lot. We saw a lot of people underdressed, while there used to be a dress code - which isn’t the biggest issue but it definitely detracts from the vibe that we used to know and love. Secondly, there was no security when we were waiting to be seated (the doorway to the bar). For about ~5 mins a houseless individual walked in and was bothering everyone waiting and no one of the staff was around to deal with it. Was a bit terrifying for me. The bartenders are amazing, but the drinks have also started to lose the quality it had. I usually get martinis and it wasn’t the same as it was. Honestly unsure if worth it anymore.

Joseph Flanagan

I recently visited Bemelman’s Bar with friends. Given the high price point and the prestigious location I anticipated attentive service and high quality cocktails. The service however was mediocre and did not meet the standards usually found at a luxury hotel bar. It felt impersonal and lacked the professionalism I expected for the cost. The cocktails were such a disappointment. I ordered a gimlet from the menu and it was incredibly basic. At these prices I expect a level of craft and balance that was simply missing. It was a standard drink that could be found at almost any mid tier bar in the city. The atmosphere was also difficult to enjoy because of the noise level. It was loud enough inside that maintaining a conversation was a struggle. The space seems to have become more of a scene for a specific social crowd rather than a place for a nice drink. On a positive note the restroom was well maintained and clean. It is a small space with two stalls. I do not quite see the allure of this spot based on this visit. The lack of creative or at least well crafted drinks and the loud environment made the experience feel like a poor value overall. There are several better options nearby for someone seeking a quality martini and professional service.

+1

Daniel Gloven

I don’t get inspired to write many Google reviews, but this place is very overhyped and I’d like to save others the time and money. I can relate to the negative reviews about the service, drinks, and food. Bemelmans is fine if you want to grab a martini and post it on social media, but I wouldn’t recommend it for a date night. Whoever called it an “archaic money pit” is spot on. There are countless spots in New York with a better vibe, better cocktails, better food, better service, and more soul. Pros: Ludwig Bemelmans’ artwork is beautiful. Cons: The service was terrible. We had a two-hour limit (fine), but I spent most of the night just trying to flag someone down to order anything. When the two hours were up, they dropped the check, I immediately put in my card and then waited 5-10 minutes with no one returning. When the server finally came back, I was rudely scolded for not having already left… while I was literally trying to pay. We also had a serious dietary restriction (Celiac Disease), noted on our Resy profile and mentioned to the server. The steak frites are listed as gluten-free, but when the dish arrived we noticed the fries and asked about cross-contamination. The response was a casual, “oh.” with no acknowledgement or remedy. The charcuterie board doesn’t mention bread on the menu, yet it was delivered with a large piece of bread touching everything. Any good restaurant in New York understands that Celiac Disease is a big deal, which is why we give plenty of heads-up, remind them when ordering, and tip well as a thank you. The “medium-rare” steak itself was overcooked/tough and cold, and we were given a butter knife to cut it. After struggling, we asked for help and they begrudgingly returned with a slightly sharper knife - like I’m a pain for wanting a steak knife to cut steak? The food was absolutely terrible across the board. I ordered one gin martini, ordered a second gin martini and received a vodka martini. Both were warm. I can make better martinis at home. These are all first-world problems, of course - but when you’re spending a lot of money, it’s reasonable to expect to be treated well and/or have semi-decent food and drink. I can see this place appealing to an out-of-town tourist but we have much, much better in New York.

Nataliya Pylypiv

We wanted to go to this bar for years. Once we finally did - it was a major disappointment! The ambiance was very nice, but nothing else beyond it. The snacks were terrible - nuts were stale and moldy, the chips tasteless. Martinis (what the bar is famous for) were strong (so they are definitely not holding back on alcohol), but it was the warmest martini I have had in Manhattan, which is definitely not the standard you expect. Oysters were fresh, but not particularly tasty, and the shrimp cocktail was underwhelming, especially for the price they charge for 4 pieces of shrimp. Would not recommend or go back.

+2

Gregorio C

I’m a former performer and I rarely write reviews like this, but I feel a responsibility to be honest so people aren’t disappointed. The musicians who preform here are clearly talented, but the repertoire leans heavily into safe, nostalgia-driven smooth jazz that ends up functioning more like background music than a live performance. Most of the room was talking throughout the set, and the applause felt polite. The one moment where the room actually locked in was when ‘Mack the Knife’ was played — and even that only happened after multiple audience requests. That contrast said everything. The energy is there, but it isn’t what the set is built around. If you’re looking for music as atmosphere while you socialize, you’ll probably enjoy this. If you’re coming to really listen and want a show that naturally engages the room without having to push for it, this may not be the experience you’re expecting.

Aliona D

Very disappointing and disrespectful experience I am a regular customer at this place because it’s very close to my home and I usually enjoy the crowd and atmosphere. Unfortunately, my experience today was extremely disappointing. I came to celebrate my birthday with my family. Since we were not hotel guests, the reservations were not available, which I understood. However, we waited in line and were repeatedly assured by the staff that we would get a table soon. We ended up waiting over four hours. During that time, multiple staff members told us “no worries,” “you have plenty of time,” and that we would be seated in time for dinner. Because of these assurances, we chose not to leave and go to another restaurant nearby. Around 10:00 PM, my husband spoke to a staff member and explained that it was my birthday, that we were very hungry, and asked honestly if we still had a chance to dine. Once again, we were reassured that we would be seated and able to eat. At 11:30 PM, after waiting all that time, we were finally told that the kitchen was closed and that they could only offer chips. To make matters worse, a group of three girls who were behind us in line (not hotel guests and without reservations) somehow received a table after a private conversation with a staff member. Many people in line were frustrated and confused by this clear inconsistency. Spending my birthday hungry after being misled for hours was incredibly upsetting. What bothered me most was not the wait itself, but the lack of honesty and respect toward customers. Sadly, I can no longer recommend this place due to the way we were treated.