Watch CBS News

NYC's 5 Best Museum Bars

Nightlife in New York City is a scene like no other. From hipster haunts in Brooklyn to Meatpacking's clubs, NYC has every type of bar covered. When you're looking to imbibe like a classy Upper East Sider or art aficionado, choose one of these museum bars in NYC. By Sarah Shaker.

The Bar Room
(credit: The Modern)

The Bar Room, the front room of The Modern, serves a selection of small plates to keep you from starving before a fancy dinner date in the main dining room or just to enjoy alongside a well-crafted cocktail with a group of friends. A dessert menu is offered at the bar for those looking to satisfy their sweet tooth. A full menu of artisanal cheeses are also featured, perfect to pair with their huge selection of over 900 international wines for a night of gossiping with your best girlfriends.

Petrie Cafe
(credit: The Metropolitan Museum)

Want to make your weekend classier than your usual Friday night in with 'Two Buck Chuck'? Get cultured at The Met, while elegantly sipping wine at the Petrie Court Café and Wine Bar in the museum. Set against the backdrop of Central Park, this European-style restaurant transforms into an intimate wine bar on weekends, featuring international cuisine and a list of local, domestic and imported wines. Feel like the grown-up New Yorker you've always dreamed you'd be.

OralFix Aphrodisiac Bar
(credit: The Museum of Sex)

Let's talk about sex. The Museum of Sex, that is. Explore the history and politics of sex with visuals from paintings to films, then take all those hormones down to the basement bar to indulge in both cocktails and bites, listed with their anticipated effects - from potency and lust to power and beauty. Oh, and libido, of course. All artisanal elixirs and foods are specially prepared for your pleasure.

The Wright
(credit: The Wright)

All white? We say all wright. The Wright brings fine dining to The Guggenheim, with a sleek atmosphere for a sophisticated date. The bar menu offers gourmet small bites. Order from their cocktail list, covering both classics and twists on old-school booze traditions. Start your night off...well, wright.

Cafe Sabarsky
(credit: Cafe Sabarsky)

Café Sabarsky, will introduce you to a classier version of the beer gardens you love. Dine on bratwursts and sip a German beer with a quiet, older audience than you're used to out in Astoria. Viennese coffee specialties and both sweet and savory breakfast plates, will invite you to visit this café during early morning hours as well.

For the latest on NYC's best cheap eats, follow us on Twitter!

Sarah Shaker is the founder of the blog Bright Lights, My City.
View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.