101 Star Bars (#35): The Hudson Hotel, New York
Hudson Bar, 356 West 58th Street New York, New York, (001) 212 247 0769
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Aficionados of Ian Schrager's inimitable style of hotel design will love this crippingly trendy bar in the heart of the Big Apple. Ascend to the hotel lobby and bars from street level on a stairway to heaven in the form of an escalator bathed in acid yellow light. It doesn't matter where you are in the world, this breathes Schragerland.
You could be in New York or London, Paris or Rome; in a Schrager hotel, you are always in vogue. The main Hudson bar is designed around a giant illuminated dancefloor, and gives the impression of stepping on to the set of Saturday Night Fever, but with the colour turned down. The bar is full of the beautiful people of New York, 70s hangovers who haven't noticed that (Schrager's) Studio 54 has shut, and at this time of year smug British tourists taking advantage of the exchange rate and hoping to absorb some cool by osmosis.
Choose your seat carefully. A huge tree trunk, insouciantly tumbled across the floor, has seat backs speared into it, but after a few of the pricey cocktails you might discover exactly how easy it is to fall off a log. The Perspex chairs are as uncomfortable as they look. But the battered leather sofas and upholstered thrones are what you wish you were born to. On the ceiling is a huge painting by the artist Francesco Clemente. Take in a Canton Pearl (Pravda vodka, pear purée, ginger liqueur and triple sec), pretend to be an old friend of Andy Warhol's and lie back in splendour to check it out.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments