Forty Four

Address: Royalton Hotel, 44 West 44th Street, New York City, New York, 10036, United States
Tel: +1 212 869 4400
Website: view Forty Four’s website
Door: Open door/walk-ins
Style: Hotel bar
Food: Tapas/plates & dishes
Established: 2010

Review

Stretching back a full block, Forty Four is a massive lounge in the lobby of the hip Royalton Hotel. Formally known as Brasserie 44 it was rebranded in Summer 2010 after 'The Cocktail Collective' consulted on the cocktail menu.

The 'Collective' of big name bartenders, namely Richard Boccato, Willy Shine, Simon Ford, Misty Kalkofen, John Lermayer and Eric Alperin have each contributed their own signature cocktails to augment well known classics. Considering the scale of this bar, served by a one station bar at the 44th Street end and a small semi-island bar at the 43rd Street end, cocktails are well made by competent professional bartenders.

Wood encased pillars dot this vast space which is broken up into smaller sunken lounge areas and a secluded booth area at the very back, beyond the bar. The overall feel is swanky and this, along with those cocktails, attracts a crowd of good looking professionals.