Gold Bar at The Clocktower

Address: New York Edition Hotel, 5 Madison Avenue , (at 24th Street), New York, NY, 10010, United States
Tel: +1 212 413 4300
Website: view Gold Bar at The Clocktower’s website
Door: Make reservation
Style: Restaurant bar
Food: Set menu
Established: 2015

Review

The Clocktower is the much-anticipated first American outpost for acclaimed British chef Jason Atherton. And where there's an Atherton restaurant, you can be sure they'll be a great bar and drinks. The Clocktower, which lies on the 2nd floor of the landmark Metropolitan Life building within The New York EDITION hotel is no exception.

As Jason Atherton's restaurant estate spreads around the world so it gives us more opportunities to enjoy the work of Gareth Evans, the man who manages his international bar program. Gareth is one of the most accomplished and creative bartenders we've encountered but he's also brilliant at naming drinks - usually with a tong-in-cheek title. For example, at the Clocktower you can enjoy an American Cereal Killer with cereal infused milk and bourbon served in a glass shaped like a milk carton; or a Give Peas A Chance cocktail, which as the name suggests is made with peas. We also particularly liked the cacao infused Old-Fashioned. While giving recommendations, be sure to try the Steak Tartare starter and the Pork Belly and Bone Marrow for your main course (or entrée as their rather bizarrely call it in these parts).

Named the Clocktower due to the landmark building's clock tower, designed to look like the Campanile in Venice. Originally part of the Metropolitan Life headquarters, the space overlooks Madison Square Park with three dining rooms, a gilded bar (the Gold Bar) and a billiard room spread across mahogany-panelled rooms which were formally executive offices.

Such is the popularity of Atherton's restaurants that we'd advise you book well ahead. You won't be disappointed.