Lobby Bar at the Algonquin Hotel Reviews

If you grew up in the 50's with the old hotels and their dark paneling, this is the place. Whether you need pre-theater supper, just a bite, or just a martini, sit back in the soft chair and indulge yourself.

I have never given a 1 Star rating before but I guess there is a first for everything. From the moment we walked in to the moment we got from our table it was miserable. It was a Saturday evening and we came in to have some drinks, it was busy as expected and we were willing to wait. The extremely rude and pompous staff made you feel as if they were doing us a favor for being there. When we finally were called for the hostess stand next door to the main bar she was extremely rude and mouthy. We were sat at our table in the room next to the main bar and were not greeted or waited on for 15 minutes so we got up and left. We had been looking forward to drinking and dining at this iconic bar so what a let down this was. We went down to the bar at the Sofitel hotel and had great service without all the pomp and circumstance.

We stopped in at the legendary Algonquin Hotel for a dessert and coffee after dinner and before we headed back to our hotel room. The lobby/bar is beautiful, and would be a great place to get a nightcap. How I wish that is what we had done! We ordered three desserts, Bourbon Pecan Chocolate Pie, Pumpkin Cheesecake with a Gingersnap Crust and Chocolate Fondue with Housemade Cinnamon Graham Crackers. I'm a dessert lover, so I was very disappointed to find that two of the three desserts were completely inedible. The Bourbon Pecan Chocolate Pie was more like a brownie in a pie crust - it did not resemble a pecan pie in any way. Very misleading. It was crumbly to the point of not being able to get it onto the fork. It was terrible. The chocolate fondue didn't arrive until 20 minutes after the other two desserts, and then only after two promptings to the waiter. (He didn't charge us for it.) When it arrived, it had obviously been microwaved to the point of being charred - once we broke through the top crust, there was a more liquid consistency underneath, but the dish was ruined. The "graham crackers" were more like shortbread cookies, but they were old and stale. The pumpkin cheesecake was edible, although it wasn't a cheesecake at all, but more like a spongecake with a soft center. It was all so bad it was actually funny. I would visit this place again to enjoy the history and the bar, but there's no way I would ever order food here again.

I know that Ms D Parker would not have approved or indeed accepted the poor service at the Round Table restaurant (so called). Somehow I was expecting a buzzy Sunday brunch atmosphere but the attractive room was practically deserted. I decided (wrongly) to persevere and am furious with myself for doing so. I ordered a glass of Prosecco while I read the limited menu. It didn't fizz and it wasn't really chilled. No show of a wine carte so I could choose - I don't think the waiters could be bothered. Stupidly, I stayed there and ordered a meal. On the "chilled salad/light meals" section was a dish which sounded perfect for a light lunch. With it I ordered a glass of Pinot Grigio (still no carte to choose from) and the waiter had to come back twice to ask if I had ordered it and not a Sancerre! So much for a light cool meal - the dish arrived, swimming in an indescribable warm "soup" with sad wilted leaves, tough pieces of what I think might have been lardons and potatoes. Just dreadful and a total disaster. Do yourselves a favour and avoid this once wonderful place.

I had breakfast at the Lobby Bar in The Algonquin. The setting is beautiful, the service was quick, friendly and attentive, and my challah French toast was excellent. This was a nice way to start the day. I will certainly be back.

The lobby bar at The Algonquin is a pleasant and generally quiet place in Midtown for a drink. I like to come here with people new in town because of its history and ambiance. Last night I went with a recent 20 something transplant. We had a drink each and a cheese plate and the bill was $77 plus tip. The service speaks no known language and was a little off. But overall it was the right call on a cold and rainy night. She told me it was relaxing though she did not seem familiar with Dorothy Parker.

So we came here for my 75th birthday, and there were 8 of us, including 2 writers and 3 English teachers. We asked for and got seated at the iconic Round Table, where we had drinks and a whole bunch of appetizers. The waitstaff could not have been nicer or more accommodating. And two of the appetizers were really, really good: the calamari and the prosciutto flatbread...so good, we ordered those again and again! Our drinks were lovely, too. We ordered the specialties of the house, including Mary Pickford (sweet) and Hamlet (also sweetish). One of us had a dirty martini which he pronounced well made. I was treated to a slice of birthday cheesecake with a candle and two rounds of “Happy Birthday.” All in all, a delightful experience!

We went to the Algonquin for cocktails, after a matinee. It was fun just to soak up the historical significance of the venue, and imagine what it must have been like when Dorothy Parker and her contemporaries frequented the Round Table. I love the walls, covered with drawings by Al Hirschfeld, which call to mind another era. We enjoyed our cocktails and appetizers, though pricey, but it was the atmosphere that will stick with me.

We cane here for the history and because we were tired and needed to rest our weary selves. The service was fine and the cocktails good, but they cost an arm and a leg. Bring a big bank account.

We had been staying at The hotel for a week but our first venture into the Restraunt . Service was attentive. A rather wide array of breakfast selections. We decided in baked oatmeal . Because of a berry allergy they offered a side of other fruits... Which was nice considering the cost of a small skillet of cereal was $22. It is very strange that my fruit was served in a plastic measuring cup... Tiny mason jars with butter slices was also an odd choice for the table in a historic city boutique hotel.

Enjoyed a relaxing lunch with my mother! Food and location were very good. Service could have been a tad better.

We ate breakfast here, had a burger one night. It's a light fare sort of thing. Pricy I thought. NYC is a pricey town, but $8 for coffee was a bit much IMO. Regardless, I'd eat here again.

The bar and lobby area itself is very nice, with old wood paneled walls and interesting carvings. The room is kept at a temperature which would suit a polar bear, not this out-of-towner! At $17 plus tax for a small glass of red wine the bar is predictably usually empty, and there are more reasonable places in the nearby areas.

My first time here since the ground floor has been refurbished. For a drink, the lobby strikes me as infinitely more attractive than the Blue Bar. It's full of comfortable seating groups and, although the new tables are a little incongruous, the overall impression is relaxiing. Most of the staff are long serving and friendly and service is quick. So ideal for pensioners like us to take a break from the madding crowds on 5th, 6th and Madison.

Breakfast Buffet looked good. But all the food that should have been hot, was cold. $25 a head. MickyD's any breakfast far superior. Dinner at $75 each, should have passed. No menu on website. Guess they wanted to suck you in.

Soak in the atmosphere of this lovely, dark lounge bar where writers used to gather. It takes you back in time. The waiter that served us was very indifferent. He was still munching on his pop when he came over to our table. He had to cough and walk away as there was a tickle in his throat. Not impressed

We went to this Lobby after a Broadway show, it is such a nice classy place. Everyone is so nice and friendly from the doorman, the front desk,to all the servers can't say enough about them. Everyone just made you feel so welcome and the food was excellent. Drinks were a little on the expensive side but it was the experience of being in such an amazing place, love every minute of it.

This is a cozy room that offers a full bar and great small and large "bites" ...very relaxing place to visit with friends. Be sure to say hello to the Algonquin cat and read the history.

The famous Roundtable deserves to be honored by your presence. Sampled a couple literary drinks and will be back for either The Hemingway or a Raspberry Lemon Parker.

We stopped by last night for drinks and a snack before the theater, and were very tempted to stay. (After seeing the noisy first act of "The Illusionists", we both agreed we should have acted on that instinct.) We were able to nab a six top in the corner, very private and quiet with a great view of the room and a brass plaque indicating that this was a table devoted to romance. About an hour into our meal, the two top was occupied by a very nice lady from Seattle -- they were kind enough to ask our indulgence before seating her. And, like many serendipitous events, she turned out to be great fun as well. The food was generally excellent albeit limited in choices; one warning, the potato pancakes are really a lightly browned version of mashed potatoes. I suppose I've eaten or drunk here 25 times or more over the years. The Harvard Club and the Yale Club are nearby and several lawyer friends and I would gather here or at the club devoted to their law schools -- as a Wisconsin graduate, this was my "club". And always a pleasure, then and now. My friend's impression: "Last night, we had drinks and snacks at the Algonquin bar. What a lovely experience!. Warm, friendly, a wonderful service, and an unusual cozy atmosphere in spite of the crowd. Very New York. The only glitch was that we could not find Matilda, the cat in residence." Well, there was a great display of several gingerbread houses: a sign warned: "Do Not Touch: Matilda is watching you." So the long run of Hamlets is gone to be replaced by a member of the opposite sex. :)

The food is very nice - maybe not "great" but very good - and the room is nice - Had a classic reuben one day and the Cuban pork sandwich another - and breakfast one day and dinner one day - all good

We love the Algonquin—staying there is to enjoy its staff, its decor, and its history. Yet the wine list consistently disappoints and often means we do not have our drinks in the hotel as we would prefer. This is particularly true of the choices for reds— overpriced and of disappointing quality. There are better options that meet guest expectations in the mid-range selections for a hotel of this quality. The red wine selection list at the lobby bar in The Algonquin Hotel includes some recognizable names. Still, there are notable opportunities for improvement in both quality representation and pricing. The existing list shows some consideration of regional diversity, with selections from France, California, Argentina, and Italy. The inclusion of prestigious bottlings like Opus One and Caymus demonstrates awareness of guest expectations for luxury options. Key Areas for Improvement Pricing Structure The markup strategy appears aggressive, particularly for mid-range bottles. For example, the Caymus Cabernet at $189 and Opus One at $425 likely represent 3-4x wholesale costs, which exceed the typical fine-dining standard of 2.5- 3x. The by-the-glass program is more reasonably priced, but bottle markups could be reduced by 15-20% to better align with guest value expectations. Quality & Selection Balance The list heavily weights toward New World wines while underrepresenting compelling value regions. Missing are: • Spanish selections (Rioja, Ribera del Duero) offering excellent quality-to-price ratios • More diverse Italian regions beyond Chianti • Affordable Left Bank Bordeaux or Rhône Valley options • Emerging regions like Washington State or South America beyond Malbec Specific Recommendations Consider replacing or supplementing current offerings with: • A quality Côtes du Rhône or Châteauneuf-du-Pape in the $75-95 range • Spanish Tempranillo-based wines ($60-85 range) • More diverse California Pinot Noir beyond Oregon's Argyle • An entry-level Burgundy village wine to bridge the gap between $103 and $126 bottles Strategic Positioning For a historic hotel attracting sophisticated travelers, the list should offer better discovery opportunities at accessible price points. Adding 3-4 selections in the $55-75 range with compelling stories would enhance perceived value without sacrificing the premium positioning that guests expect from The Algonquin. The goal should be creating a list where guests feel they're accessing carefully curated selections rather than paying a luxury-venue premium for readily available bottles.

Following a Broadway matinée, we stopped in to this historic venue for a cocktail. We were warmly welcomed by three staff members who broke the news that the Algonquin house cat, whom we had hoped to see, has gone on to the great hotel in the sky. Happily, there's a new house kitten in training named Hamlet who will soon be occupying the front window. That news called for a drink. Service was very good -- in fact, our patient waiter stopped by several times before we got around to making a decision, and he kindly did not make us feel rushed. We had French martinis, which were strong and excellent! The dinner menu did not particularly appeal to us so we stuck with drinks only. The atmosphere in the dark wood lobby is subdued, yet in a cheerful way; our fellow patrons were clearly happy to be there. Most of the clientele when we were there were seniors, not surprisingly, as they appreciate the significance of the Algonquin's past. It is truly a piece of New York's heritage and should not be missed.

Cobb salad - had chicken instead of salmon. Chicken was tough. They kindly replaced it. Staff was very friendly and professional.

What a treat! We were welcomed in out of the cold & biting wind to a warm and enthusiastic reception. The service could not have been more helpful and efficient, with our lovely waiter only too pleased to tell us of the history of the Lobby Bar and its famous visitors. To top it all, the food was sublime and exquisite. This was the jewel in the crown of my whole New York trip!

I felt like I went back to the 40's . So glamorous. Charming. It really is like being in another era.

My father and I went for lunch at the Round Table Restaurant on our most recent trip to NYC and although the food was good, the service was dreadful. We counted five waiters and two greeters/maître d's that walked right by us without even making eye contact let alone bringing us menus. Eventually we were brought menus and a small bowl of butter but never received bread. We had to flag down the waiter (there were three total that waited on us, but very sporadically) several times for water and drink refills. Eventually, at the end of our meal, a brand new waiter showed up to take our dessert and coffee order. He was very convivial and got our desserts right away. We spend two hours for what should have been a 60-90 minute meal. On the plus side, a lovely and accommodating staff member behind the front desk showed us Matilda the Algonquin cat napping in the back office, and we had a charming conversation with the bartending in the Blue Bar, so it was a memorable experience overall.

The Algonquin is an iconic hotel where the likes of Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Dorothy Parker, and Harpo Marx (among others) used to gather around the Round Table for lunch, witticisms and wordplay (from 1919 until 1929). The New Yorker magazine was born there as well. The lobby retains a dark clubby elegance, and it is a perfect place for drinks (we also went to the Blue Room another night). Although we didn't try any food, the experience was highly enjoyable. If you enjoy historic places, this is well worth a stop.

I had never been to the Algonquin for a drink and I was not disappointed. Of course, I wanted to see the site of the famous Algonquin Roundtable. There was a painting of the participants above a round table which I presumed was th site of the actual gathering. We sat in a secluded corner of the room and thoroughly enjoyed the ambience and the drinks. I would have rated this an excellent experience except that our waiter clearly wanted to do anything but wait on us. Ultimately we had two rounds of drinks but not after some searching for the waiter.

Nice service and breakfast for a Saturday morning that started my day just right. Food was very good, and I would def eat here again even if I don’t stay at this hotel.

Bad first impression, but we had an excellent server who improved our opinion of the restaurant. We were looking for breakfast at 10:30 am and it was quite busy. It was difficult to get the attention of the hostess and several waitstaff walked past us as we were trying to ask if we needed to be seated, or if it was self-seating. Once seated, it took a long time for our sever to acknowledge us and no one brought water while we waited. That said, our sever gave excellent, efficient and friendly service once he could get to us. We ordered the baked oatmeal, which he pointed out was 1/2 hour wait to the the baking process, so we gladly changed out order to a more expedient meal. I had scrambled eggs, bacon (deliciously spiced, thick cut) and hashbrown potatoes without regret. Very generous portions, but also pricey for breakfast food. We appreciated the convenience of dining in our hotel, but one meal there was enough for us.

In the 1900s, Dorothy Parker and her vicious circle of writer-poets may have been lushes, but they were honest about it, most certainly, as they tippled and talked in the Algonquin Lobby. Their spirits hang there (quite literally depicted in a remarkable painting), and also in the aura of this place of art and alcohol. I had a cup of coffee, I must confess, but there are cocktails galore, and comfortable couches to sit upon. I found the view inspiring and provocative of adventure. As Mrs. Parker once wrote: “They sicken of the calm who know the storm.”

We were there at 4:30 PM on Dec. 3, the day of the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting. NYC was mobbed but we were served quickly and attentively. It's a lovely bar and just being in the Algonquin is special if you enjoyed reading Thurber, Parker, Benchley, et al. Our bar "snacks" were huge actually - the calamari were delicious, lightly battered, nicely seasoned, memorable. My companions had the mini-Reuben sandwiches and liked them well enough. Cocktails are overpriced however - I tried the Algonquin, hoping to get a taste of Makers' Mark, but there wasn't enough whisky therein to give me a buzz. Nice idea though - whisky, pineapple juice and some Noilly Prat. OK, I'll try it at home...but $17 is too much for such a weak drink. We were pressed for time so appreciated that our waiter did not dilly-dally in bringing our checks and taking our $. All in all, a pleasant way to end a day in New York!

The lobby bar is a great place to enjoy a drink and people watch.The decor has changed little since it was frequented by the literary set of Dorothy Parket, Robert Benchley, and most surprisingly Harpo Marx among others. There is some great jazz played on Thursday nights and it is easy to feel you have slipped back to the 1920s

Popped in for a pre-theatre appetiser and cocktail. Bar staff were rude and not helpful. Food was good if a little cold Atmosphere was buzzing but within an hour the bar was empty. Cocktails need a lot of work. Same old combinations. A stuffy hotel with nothing to be stuffy about living on a reputation far gone

I had a glass of wine that cost as much as the entire bottle sells for where it's made---where I'm from!!

Our bartender, Cristian (sp) was among the best ever. Personable and great drinks and food. This was a great find and I highly recommend it. Additionally it is a Marriott property, so go rack up the points!!

We ate a late lunch at the Algonquin Hotel Round Table restaurant in the lobby. The surroundings and décor were quietly elegant, as befits this venerable hotel which feels so much like a gentlemen's club, and the service was friendly and discrete, if slow. I had a plate of fish and chips, English style, which was tastily cooked and plentiful. It was fun to sit in full view of the famous literary Round Table about whose frequenters I had read so much. Overall, this was a pleasant cultural and culinary experience, and it added nicely to our stay in New York City, though sadly this time not at this hotel.

This is a great place to get a drink near time square. Make sure to sit at the bar in the Blue Room to get the full experience

Second visit to this bar-just as enjoyable the second time as the first. Great spot for pre or post theater drinks. Best old fashioned I've had in quite some time. Drink here!

Exceptional experience, great drinks and a sexy mature atmosphere. The bartender was terrific and accomodating

On the 26th of June I made what I considered a PILGRIMAGE to the Lobby bar at the Algonquin - I had been at the Algonquin frequently when I was a young girl with my mother (an aviation magazine editor **) I also really wanted to meet the Algonquin cat, Hamlet !! I was welcomed with smiles and charm at the reception and they summoned HAMLET and.... to my great delight -- He looked up at me though not quite as an equal !! We asked for a table and were placed BEHIND the jazz orchestra Ok let's face it we're tourists!! the music was fabulous. The waiter presented himself (with more or less the same expression on his face as had had Hamlet - but no excuse from a human!) -- we ordered, I had a Dewars and my husband something sweeter-- it was maybe an hour before closing. Drinks came and shortly thereafter the waiter put the check on the table. He then proceeded to 'hover' he hovered never too far from our table. But we paid and we stayed till the last note of the music played !! What a shame **Airlanes Magazine

Very atmospheric place for a drink. I find the lobby, which is spacious, and with comfortable chairs, better than the blue bar. High ceilings and old style comfort suits me, while I think of Dorothy Parker. However, I wish they would not serve wine in thick misshapen tumblers, not my taste!

Even though the Lobby was packed on a Thursday night pre-theatre, the host approached us as we walked in and found a table for the two of us. He was warm and welcoming as were the waiters. Service was top notch as were the cocktails (By all means try the Matilda) and the appetizers. Just a welcome retreat from the city crowds. Well worth the price.

Heartbreakingly ruined. There is nothing left to see here. I have adored the Algonquin and all its history for decades (including Hamlet and Matilda, and all things Round Table), but it appears to be ALL gone! The dining room is basically obliterated and Hamlet hunkers in the kitchen, apparently forbidden from any space other than the front lobby (I don't even dare ask how that's monitored - it sounded like a shock collar when I asked) (apparently, some individual complained...) The history is almost entirely absent. There are Hirchfeld prints on the wall, but they've cropped out his signature (so you can't even count the Ninas!) SUCH an historical loss: such a disappointment! A great cultural loss and an entirely depressing visit after some years. What a loss.

Stop by here and feel fabulous and literary. It's the historic location where the Roundtable sat and gossiped. Caution: Drinks are expensive.

a good place to enjoy a drink and read a newspaper and relax with a friend. or just with yourself. lovely environment

We often stop at the Algonquin for drinks and snacks. Ever since the Blue Bar became blue we sit in the lobby which is very comfortable and relaxing. We ordered drinks and lobster rolls yesterday. The drinks were fine but as other reviewers stated they were overpriced. But the lobster rolls..... Two slider size rolls with maybe a tablespoon of lobster salad, if that on each. I think they tasted good. I didn't say anything because my husband doesn't like to make a fuss but we decided that since we always park across the street we will from now on only go there if it's raining !!!!! And by the way, they used to have a really nice mix of nuts with drinks not cheap popcorn !!!

stopped in for a drink. the ambience is classic. service was attentive. the cocktails were very good although very pricey - at least $20!

I've been going to the Lobby Bar at the Algonquin for almost 10 years. I love the history of the Algonquin hotel and they have a very charming kitty who hangs out with the front desk crew. The Lobby Bar makes wonderful cocktails - I especially love their Moscow Mules. The service in the Lobby Bar is also wonderful, my favorite waiter there has been working at the Algonquin for 26 years! Can't wait to go back next month when I travel into the city again!!!

Very comfortable seating and not too noisy. Excellent cocktails. This is not our first time here and we will come in the future

We came back to the Algonquin bar after 25 years and found it had moved from one side of the lobby to the other. The move was a good one however as the space is a lot larger and is fitted out in a very lovely fashion. We had not thought about going to the Algonquin, but just happened to be passing by and decided to go in for a cocktail as this was the hotel where my husband had proposed to me in 1986. The Barrymore cocktails were splendid and the service excellent. However, two cocktails cost us $50 including tip, so don't go here unless you feel like splurging.

The salmon was over cooked. The French fries were soggy. The apple tart was inedible. The bread pudding was poor. The onion soup was good. The service was extremely slow and the restaurant was basically empty. My friend who was staying at the hotel and does so frequently asked to take her chocolate cake to her room. It was not done. She asked again and was told he would bring a new one. Out came chocolate ice cream. Third request and the chocolate cake was produced, wrapped to go. Will never go there again.

The Visit the Algonquin Lobby Bar on each trip to the New York even if we are not staying in the hotel. It is a great place to meet for drinks after work, after play, after a show. Some of the best Martini's in town. The lobby is absolutely charming and excellent place to meet with friends or business associates. The Restaurant is also excellent for both large groups and individuals. The service and food both superior. If you are lucky you will even get a chance to meet Matilda, the executive Cat :) This last trip we had a few locals meet us there for drinks and they couldn't get over the fact that they had never been there as it truly is a great place to meet up with people.

The lobby bar was beautiful, classic and decorated for the holidays when we stopped last week for a glass of wine and a snack. The setting and service were excellent. Perhaps because we are from the Midwest, we found the wine and food prices high, but this was still an enjoyable experience. Our waiter recommended the chicken quesadilla and we finished with the apple tart with cinnamon ice cream. Both were delicious and the portions were ample. My husband is a literary buff, and we will definitely return!!

We ate breakfast there for 2 mornings during our stay. We had complimentary continental breakfast but chose to pay the difference & get what we wanted. First, even for NYC, it is expensive. $25 for 1 Belgian waffle (which was over-cooked) with a very small amount of fruit on it. It said on the menu that it came with whipped cream (creme fraiche) & when I asked once I realized I did not have any, I was told you only get it if you ask for it (who wouldn't want whipped cream on a Belgian waffle!!). No garnish or anything extra for $25! The first day I had the egg white frittata, mediocre, potatoes were very bland and it came garnished with a slice of grilled zucchini. Would have been nice to have a slice of fruit, with all the veggies in the frittata. Husband had bacon & eggs each day, eggs were ordered over easy, came over hard (only first morning) and the toast is thin & dry. Would skip the free breakfast any day & eat elsewhere, especially in the end it cost is $10 anyway. Wish it wasn't so disappointing, it's nice to eat in the lobby.

We loved going here for lunch mainly because of the history of the "Round Table". And, as it turned out, we also loved the food! The burgers were great and we also loved the room. It's very cozy and warm and I think we could have stayed there all day relaxing in this room. We loved seeing the actual Round Table. And, the service was friendly and attentive.

We popped in here after a show just to look around because of the Roundtable history and to maybe have a drink. I jokingly asked our server, Otto, if he could move the people sitting at the round table just under the famous "A Vicious Circle" painting by Natalie Ascencios in the back so I could sit there. He didn't, but despite my protestations not not bother, he insisted on sitting me as close to it as possible by moving a table to a better position and adjusting the lighting when he realized it was a bit bright as it was just above my head. He could not have been more gracious or accommodating. He truly went above and beyond to make us feel welcome and comfortable and it was greatly appreciated.We had a few drinks (the Dorothy Parker and Hamlet are the only ones I remember by name) and they were delicious! We got to see the famous lobby cat, enjoy the Roundtable painting and just soak up the history of the place. Loved my visit here.

Terrible service. I had to stand up and wave to get service - place was half full and waiter was playing w a half deck. When we got the bill they charged us $423.00 for 2 martinis, twice! What was obviously a mistake took forever to correct. I know it's mostly tourisst there and they don't come back. I am a New Yorker but I won't come back either.

Wonderful wine selection and great apps, after a very hot day in the city, was great to relax in the lobby bar and meet up with friends.

This is a very blue room! Hundreds of tiny blue lights shining up through the glass bar surface. Pleasant bartenders. Good Manhattans. A pleasant place for a cocktail and conversation.

A legendary bar, well worth stopping for. They had an Abe Hirschfeld showing while we were there, which was pretty darned cool. As were the drinks served in pewter mugs. And the popcorn, flavored with chili powder and brown sugar was terrific. But at an average of $15 per drink? Loved the experience, will return after hitting the lottery.

We used to stay and eat at the Algonquin. On our last visit we could not get a room - perhaps that was for the best. We did however, stop in for a meal. Adequate at best, the service was relaxed, whereas the food was disappointing. Has new ownership lost the Algonquin touch?