As befits a neighborhood that has become a byword for classic elegance, the Upper East Side is home to a number of venues where you can sip cocktails or indulge in oysters, caviar, and steak while listening to jazz or cabaret music, just as residents did several generations ago.
35 East 76th Street (at Madison Avenue)
Bemelmans Bar. Photo: Corn Farmer/Flickr
Located in the Carlyle hotel, this bar is named after Ludwig Bemelmans, best known for the Madeline children’s books. In the late 1940s he painted murals of Central Park on the walls of the bar in exchange for free accommodations in the hotel during the year-and-a-half the project took to complete. A ceiling covered in 24-karat gold leaf and a gleaming black-granite bar complement the charming illustrations and make this venue an outpost of timeless New York glamour. Most weeknights Earl Rose holds court at the piano from 5:30 till 8:30, playing American standards—think “As Time Goes By,” “A Dream Is a Wish Your Heart Makes,” and “The Shadow of Your Smile”—as well as his own compositions. On Monday nights he returns at 9 p.m. with his trio; on other evenings jazz artists such as the Rob Mosci Trio and the Alexis Cole Trio perform. To make it a truly old New York experience, savor oysters, caviar, and one of the house cocktails while nestling on a leather banquette.
235 East 84th Street (between Second and Third Avenues)
The awning says “Brandy’s Piano Bar,” while the windows declare “Good Time Saloon.” Both are correct, for a good time is all but guaranteed in this cozy bar. During happy hour manager Jimmy Luzar or another performer will man the piano, but the proceedings really rev up at 9:30, when a variety of top-flight jazz, cabaret, and Broadway performers take the mic. Nicholas Rodriguez, for instance, debuted on Broadway in the title role of “Tarzan”; Lauren Mufson starred as Donna in the Broadway production of “Mamma Mia!”; Bobby Belfry has several jazz albums under his belt. The bar and wait staff sing too, and customers are encouraged to join in.
35 East 76th Street (at Madison Avenue)
Sunday Jazz performances at Café Carlyle. Image: Hannah C./Yelp
Like Bemelmans Bar, this intimate supper club is located in the Carlyle hotel. (Throughout autumn 2018, the “supper” portion will not apply, however, as the kitchen will be closed for renovation.) Woody Allen and the Eddy Davis New Orleans Jazz Band have a Monday night residence, and the rest of Café Carlyle’s autumn calendar is similarly starry. Emmy- and Golden Globe-winner Jane Lynch and fellow singer/actress Kate Flannery will perform Broadway and pop tunes in their own inimitable fashion September 11-22; singer/songwriter Alexa Ray Joel returns for her fifth engagement beginning September 25, followed by Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Herb Alpert and Grammy winner Lani Hall. Actress/singer/songwriter Rita Wilson and husband-and-wife performers John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molaskey will make return engagements in October and November, and for the 14th year, jazz performer/producer Steve Tyrell will do the honors during the holiday season.
26 East 63rd Street (between Park and Madison Avenues)
Club Macanudo. Image: courtesy Manic Media.
Club Macanudo is open to the public, both men and women, but in most other ways it is a throwback to the days of private men’s clubs. A “cigar bar,” it not only allows smoking but also sells more than 130 types of handcrafted cigars. (The club insists its ventilation system ensures that nonsmokers will be just as comfortable as smokers.) Amid the wood-paneled and leather-upholstered environs one can sip the house martini (made with Chateau Fontpinot cognac, Belle de Brillet pear liqueur, and 20-year-old Campanhia port), tuck into a lobster bisque or a filet mignon, and on Monday nights listen to live Sinatra-style jazz. Wednesday evenings feature live Latin-influenced music, while Friday nights showcase “international jazz.”
1626 Second Avenue (between 84th and 85th Streets)
La Pulperia UES. Images: La Pulperia/Yelp.
The live Brazilian jazz played at this Latin restaurant on Monday nights provides an upbeat antidote to the first day back at work after the weekend. The ambience, however, is less sultry nightclub and more rustic gathering spot, thanks to the wood-planked ceiling and walls and the open shelves of wines and liquors. The ceviche, the Argentinean barbecue for two, and the grilled Brazilian fish ribs served with an orange chipotle sauce and coconut rice are ideal accompaniments to the music.
Two East 61st Street (at Fifth Avenue)
Antonio Ciacca is artist-in-residence at Two E Bar & Lounge. Image: courtesy The Pierre
Located in the Pierre hotel, Two E Bar & Lounge may be better known for its afternoon tea than for its evening entertainment. The latter is just as worthy of recognition as the former, though. On Thursday, Friday, and Saturday evenings, artist-in-residence jazz pianist and composer Antonio Ciacca (a former director of jazz programming for Lincoln Center) plays among the sleek Deco-influenced furnishings and grand cornices.
Broadway Trio at Two E Bar & Lounge. Image: courtesy The Pierre
In addition, last year Two E launched a monthly cabaret series, Broadway at the Pierre. Most recently Jennifer DiNola and Michael Campayno, who played Elphaba and Flyero in “Wicked” on Broadway, took the stage for the “Wicked Ozdust Series”; two other cast members are set to perform on October 15.