A seductive hotel lobby bar helps set the mood (and, of course, promises an unforgettable evening). History unfolded in these swanky spots where infamous figures lingered over tipples and pivotal moments happened. We’re spotlighting seven exceptional hotel lobby lounges that deserve to be celebrated.

The Beekman, a Thompson Hotel (New York City)
Beneath the glow of a grand nine-story atrium, The Bar Room at The Beekman in Lower Manhattan captures the quintessential cool of a New York lobby bar. With an elevated nighttime vibe and a boozy weekend jazz brunch, it’s a place to step back in time. Deemed an “interior landmark,” the skylit chamber floods the lounge with natural light, inviting guests to sink into velvet upholstery and admire the art-adorned olive walls.
The Hollywood Roosevelt (Hollywood, Los Angeles)
With an illustrious past hosting Hollywood’s Golden Age icons—including Charlie Chaplin, Will Rogers, Greta Garbo, and Marilyn Monroe—The Hollywood Roosevelt’s historic Lobby Bar pays tribute to a glamorous bygone era. The bar’s Spanish Colonial architecture, accentuating arched doorways, stately stone columns, and authentic paneled ceilings, sets the perfect scene for guests to savor a Centennial Martini or enjoy a Shirley Temple in honor of the child star herself.
TWA Hotel (New York City)
The TWA Hotel, an iconic 1960s-era airport terminal turned hotel, boasts the glamorous and historic Sunken Lounge. With its signature Chili Pepper Red carpeting and cushions, this renowned spot once hosted crowds eager to catch a glimpse of The Beatles’ arrival in 1965. Today, you can sip playful cocktails like the Jet Fuel, Red Eye, and Quickie Vacation while admiring the retro “Connie” airplane, a classic from 1958, which is also transformed into a bar and lounge itself.
Broadwick Soho (Soho, London)
The Nook at Broadwick Soho epitomizes a chic hotel lobby bar. This convivial ground-floor space, exclusively for hotel guests, is a feast for the eyes with its maximalist design: intricate Italian fabrics, dramatic floral wallpapers, and vintage treasures, including a 1970s Murano chandelier. It’s the perfect spot to daydream by the fireplace with a classic Corpse Reviver in hand, accompanied by the warm crackle of vinyl spinning in the background.
Ritz Paris (Paris, France)
At the Ritz Paris’s intimate 25-seat Bar Hemingway, the spirit of the great writer is revived every evening. The only sounds are the soft murmur of conversation and ice clinking in glasses, generating an environment rife with inspiration. This absence of music is intentional, evoking the atmosphere once enjoyed by legendary guests like Coco Chanel, the Fitzgeralds, and, naturally, Ernest Hemingway himself as they sipped the bar’s original Serendipity elixir.
Hotel Chelsea (New York City)
Hotel Chelsea’s alluring Lobby Bar is the kind of lounge that effortlessly transports you between a swanky New York City drinking spot and a Euro-chic watering hole. By day, it’s a serene spot to enjoy coffee beneath the verdant indoor-outdoor garden terraces. By night, it transforms into a moody, golden-hued cocktail room adorned with striking artworks, where quiet conversations unfold in the cozy corners of low-sunken velvet couches.
La Mamounia (Marrakech, Morocco)
Situated at the heart of La Mamounia, Morocco’s crown jewel hotel, The Majorelle Bar offers two distinct experiences. Inside, grand and sumptuous seating areas feature eye-catching prints and artworks inspired by Jacques Majorelle’s Orientalist style, honing the essence of Marrakech and southern Morocco. Outside, a courtyard blends balmy air with lush foliage, where the soft strains of smooth jazz enhance the ambiance.