Located in NYC’s Midtown neighborhood, Bar Bastion is an elevated cocktail lounge atop Michelin-starred Frech restaurant, Le Jardinier.
A sleek marble staircase leads guests from the main floor restaurant to the sophisticated lounge, which features soaring double-height ceilings and expansive windows that allow natural light to fill the space. The 38-seat bar, designed by award-winning French architect Joseph Dirand, meshes contemporary stylings with Art Deco glamour: Alcantra fabricated walls, dark-hued velvet upholstery, and a unique geometric ceiling pattern adorn the room. Its recessed bar, backed by mirrored glass and golden-hued ambient lighting, is a real show-stopper.
Head Bartender Rachel Prucha conjures a playful drink list consisting of five classic cocktails, five rotating seasonal offerings, and a selection of mocktails. On the traditional side, Prucha integrates modern techniques into ubiquitous drinks such as the Old Fashioned, which, when it comes to her version, suffuses cinnamon-infused bourbon, Amaretto, rich demerara, and orange and chocolate bitters.
Channeling Le Jardinier’s seasonal-forward fare, the rotating libations highlight ingredient-focused concoctions such as the Carrot Me Away (carrot juice, honey syrup, chamomile-infused scotch, and a Laphroaig rinse), Off Beet (beet juice, lemon oleo saccharum, caraway seed–infused dry vermouth, shochu, and Nigori sake), and Like Granny Used to Make (Granny Smith apples, cucumber, lemon, egg white, and stinging nettle), to name a few.
Accompanied by a curated bar food menu, guests can nibble on decadent Maine Lobster Tartlets topped with curry aioli and royal Kaluga caviar or Charred Avocado Mousse served with homemade sweet potato chips.
And, of course, there’s a delicious dessert menu created by Executive Pastry Chef Salvatore Martone, including a mini version of Le Jardinier’s stunning butterfly dessert, which features yuzu delicate mousse, raspberry compote, and a pistachio sable, as well as vegan mini ice cream cones that are as cute (and sweet) as they look.
If you’re in the mood to get gussied up in your best-dressed attire and feel part of New York’s elitist society, the polished Bar Bastion is the place for you.
Top Takeaways
Location: Midtown East, New York City
Address: 610 Lexington Ave 2nd floor, New York, NY 10022
Cuisine: Cocktails & Small Bites
Price Point: $$$
Takes Reservations: Yes – Resy
The vibe: An elevated cocktail lounge in the heart of skyscraper-abundant Midtown Manhattan.
Our favorite thing on the menu: From the seasonal selection of spring cocktails, we’re obsessed with the Like Granny Used to Make drink made with Granny Smith apples, cucumber, lemon, egg white, and stinging nettle. Refreshing and aesthetically light green, we loved this drink so much that we had to order it twice.
The attire based on the vibe: Smart Casual
Breakfast, Lunch, or Dinner: Evening fare: Tuesday through Saturday, 5:00 pm – 10:30 pm
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