King Cole Bar

King Cole Bar
Name	King Cole Bar
Location	New York City, Manhattan
Opening	1930s
Architect	Thomas W. Lamb (lobby); Edward Durell Stone (hotel)
Style	Art Deco
Owner	Marriott International (operator), Astor families (historic)

King Cole Bar The King Cole Bar is a landmark cocktail bar located within the St. Regis New York in Manhattan, celebrated for its signature mural, classic mixology, and ties to American hospitality, high society, and popular culture. Housed in a hotel lobby with an Art Deco pedigree, the bar has attracted statesmen, artists, entertainers, financiers, and writers throughout the 20th and 21st centuries. Its design, clientele, and drinks have been referenced in journalism, literature, and film, linking it to larger narratives about New York City nightlife and luxury service.

History

Conceived during the interwar period, the bar opened as part of the original St. Regis project commissioned by John Jacob Astor IV heirs and completed under the direction of John Jacob Astor V and Vincent Astor. The hotel and its public rooms debuted during the Great Depression era, combining ambitions of opulence with the realities of Prohibition. During World War II the venue hosted diplomatic gatherings tied to figures from the Roosevelt family and visiting foreign dignitaries. Postwar, the bar became a meeting place for members of the Gilded Age social circles, Broadway producers from The Shubert Organization, and financiers from J.P. Morgan & Co. In the late 20th century, management shifts included ownership by Sheraton, ITT Corporation, and corporate hospitality consolidations culminating in operation by Marriott International.

Design and Features

The bar is renowned for a prominent mural by Maxfield Parrish-era artists, executed by Eduardo Garcia Benito (attribution debated), which centers on a playful subject rendered in trompe-l'œil and Muralism idioms. The space integrates materials associated with Art Deco—polished brass, walnut panelling, marble tops—alongside bespoke lighting by firms like Sylvania and fixture work reminiscent of Société des Arts Décoratifs commissions. Architectural renovations involved firms with pedigrees linked to Benjamin Wistar Morris and theater architects such as Herbert J. Krapp, while conservation campaigns have referenced methods used at Grand Central Terminal and Radio City Music Hall restorations. Seating arrangements include a horseshoe bar facing the mural, banquettes inspired by Tiffany & Co. interiors, and private alcoves used by guests linked to institutions such as The Metropolitan Museum of Art and Carnegie Hall.

Menu and Signature Drinks

The bar's beverage program historically emphasized classic cocktails like the Old Fashioned, Martini, and a house variant of the Bloody Mary. Its most famous creation, the "Old King Cole" rendition of the Manhattan, features a proprietary bitters recipe and a brandy-washed glass—techniques seen in programming at establishments associated with Dale DeGroff and Harry Craddock. The menu blends spirits from distillers such as Hennessy, Glenfiddich, Bacardi, and Pernod Ricard portfolios, alongside wine lists curated by sommeliers educated at Court of Master Sommeliers programs and boutique producers promoted through Wine Spectator features. Seasonal offerings have included cocktails referencing theatrical openings on Broadway and celebratory libations for events like the Met Gala.

Cultural Impact and Notable Patrons

The bar has been frequented by presidents linked to the Kennedy family, industrialists from Rockefeller family circles, playwrights associated with Eugene O'Neill and Arthur Miller, and entertainers such as Frank Sinatra, Cole Porter, and Marlene Dietrich. Its mural and atmosphere have appeared in films produced by MGM and Paramount Pictures, and it is referenced in novels by authors from the Lost Generation to contemporary chroniclers of New York City life. The venue hosted charity events tied to organizations like United Nations delegations, benefit auctions alongside The Metropolitan Opera, and press gatherings for newspapers including The New York Times and magazines like Vanity Fair.

Reception and Awards

Critics from publications such as The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, and Condé Nast Traveler have praised the bar's combination of historic ambience and cocktail craftsmanship. Industry accolades include recognition in lists curated by Esquire (magazine), Forbes Travel Guide, and inclusion in guidebooks from Fodor's and Lonely Planet for luxury travelers. Preservation commendations have come from organizations with mandates like Landmarks Preservation Commission-related advisory panels and private heritage groups patterned after the National Trust for Historic Preservation.

Ownership and Management

Ownership passed through prominent corporate entities and private families, with historical ties to the Astor family and transatlantic hospitality groups. Management in the late 20th and early 21st centuries has seen stewardship under chains such as Sheraton Hotels and Resorts, ITC Hotels affiliates, and contemporary operation by Marriott International within its luxury portfolio. Executive roles have been occupied by general managers and beverage directors with resumes including tenures at The Plaza Hotel, The Pierre, and international luxury properties managed by Hilton Worldwide and Four Seasons Hotels and Resorts.

Preservation and Legacy

Conservation efforts have aligned with major preservation campaigns in New York City, engaging consultants experienced with projects at Carnegie Hall and Brooklyn Museum. The bar's mural and fittings are often cited in academic discussions at institutions like Columbia University and New York University architecture programs, and reproduced in monographs about Art Deco interiors. Its legacy persists in the continual emulation of its service rituals by luxury bars worldwide and in cultural memory preserved by archives at libraries such as the New York Public Library and museums documenting 20th-century hospitality.

Category:Bars in Manhattan Category:Art Deco architecture in New York City