Center Bar: Columbus Circle Cocktails at $22, No Happy Hour
Center Bar doesn’t publish a happy hour. It’s a cocktail lounge on the 4th floor of the Shops at Columbus Circle, 10 Columbus Cir, open Tuesday from 3pm to 10pm and Wednesday to Saturday from 3pm to 11pm. Cocktails run $22 to $28.
The verdict: you’re paying for the view over Central Park South, not for a bargain. The seasonal cocktails are $22 to $24 and the Smoked Old Fashioned is $28, which is Midtown-lounge money with no discount hour to soften it. The catch: wine starts at $15 a glass and the cheapest food is $14 tater tots, so one cocktail and one snack comes to $36. It’s a fit for a pre-show or post-dinner stop, not a cheap one.
What to Expect
- Cocktails: $22 for the Crown Of Eden, Poison Pear Margarita, Notorious Cherry and Mother Of Dragons Mojito; $24 for the Enchanted Rose and Espresso Pop Rocks; $28 for the Smoked Old Fashioned.
- Wine and Champagne: Serena Prosecco $18, Moët & Chandon Impérial $26. By the glass, Swiftsure Sauvignon Blanc is $15 and Dr. Konstantin Frank Dry Riesling is $16.
- Small plates: tater tots $14, hummus $18, chicken sliders $18, miso pulled pork sliders $20, Asian steak tacos $22, tuna tartare tacos $22, cheese charcuterie $28.
The Room
The bar describes itself as an open lounge looking over the glass atrium of the Shops at Columbus Circle, with views of Central Park South, alongside Ascent Lounge, Masa and Per Se. It’s closed Sunday and Monday. The nearest trains are 59 St-Columbus Circle (1/A/B/C/D) and 57 St-7 Av (N/Q/R/W). It also takes private events, with room for up to 100 standing.
Who Center Bar Is For
| Occasion | Why It Works |
|---|---|
| A drink before dinner at Masa or Per Se | Same 4th floor, open from 3pm |
| Champagne | Moët & Chandon Impérial at $26 on the sparkling list |
| A private reception | Standing capacity of 100 |
For an actual discount nearby, start with our Midtown happy hour guide or the Upper West Side happy hour guide.