In a city where hotspots come and go faster than a yellow cab in the rain, a few rare institutions endure—polished, poised, and effortlessly cool. Bemelmans Bar at The Carlyle, A Rosewood Hotel, is one of them. It’s where New Yorkers go when they want a little old-world glamour with their gin martini. Known for its moody lighting, live jazz, and a clientele that whispers rather than shouts, Bemelmans has long been the gold standard for elegant debauchery.
But this Easter? It’s swapping the midnight chic for midday charm. Bemelmans Bar is stepping out of its tuxedo and into something decidedly more whimsical: a Madeline-themed Easter tea that turns the iconic space into a Parisian storybook brought to life.
Stepping inside Bemelmans has always felt like entering another era. The walls, wrapped in Ludwig Bemelmans’ hand-painted murals, depict enchanting scenes from Central Park—murals he famously bartered in exchange for a year and a half of room and board. That delightful give-and-take of art-for-hospitality set the tone for what the bar still is today: a love letter to New York wrapped in nostalgia and a dash of wry humor.
And now, in a rare turn, it opens its doors to families. On April 19 and 20, the bar becomes the setting for an Easter tea party that’s as charming as it is unexpected.
Central to the afternoon’s magic is a Carlyle favorite: Tina deVaron. If you’ve never heard deVaron behind a piano, imagine Mary Poppins with better pitch and a jazzier sensibility. She’ll be serenading the room with classic children’s songs and playful melodies inspired by Madeline‘s escapades—enough to entrance the little ones and maybe even bring a tear to the eye of the parents.
Of course, no trip to Paris—real or imagined—is complete without sweets. Bemelmans’ pastry team delivers the goods: macarons as delicate as butterfly wings, dainty éclairs, and petit fours so perfect they’d make a Ladurée box blush. Kids sip thick, velvety hot chocolate in porcelain cups. Grown-ups, naturally, get proper tea. There’s something gently luxurious about it all, like paging through an old book that still smells faintly of vanilla.
Adding to the charm? Guests are encouraged to dress the part. Madeline hats, Easter bonnets, even a Pepito or two. The staff—already experts in the fine art of making you feel like you belong—lean into the playfulness, making every child feel like the guest of honor at a very posh tea party.
Yet beyond the pastries, music, and impeccable service, what makes this event sing is the collision of past and present. Under murals painted nearly 80 years ago, families gather not just for tea, but to take part in a little storybook magic. It’s a rare, gentle pause in the otherwise frantic rhythm of the city.
And when it ends? The spell doesn’t break completely. The Carlyle’s flower-filled lobby awaits, grand and fragrant. Central Park is right there too, just a few steps away—ideal for a post-tea stroll, sugar high in full swing.
So this Easter, forget the overcrowded brunch buffets and chocolate bunny stampedes. Bemelmans offers something else entirely: elegance, whimsy, and a moment of stillness in a city that never stops moving. A tea party for the ages, with just the right amount of mischief. Because if Madeline taught us anything, it’s this: sometimes, the best adventures begin with a little surprise.
Tickets are $150 per person, with 10 a.m. and noon seatings.
