The Portrait Bar

The walls inside The Portrait Bar are covered from floor to ceiling with a collection of over 50 portraits – a dense mix of paintings, photographs, and sketches that gives the place its name. This is the bar for The Fifth Avenue Hotel, tucked away in the NoMad neighborhood. The space itself, designed by Martin Brudnizki, feels like a classic European hotel bar, with dark wood paneling, a large carved stone fireplace, and accents of marble and brass. Seating is a collection of fireside sofas, deep red velvet chairs, and green leather bar stools, all kept under intentionally dim lighting. The cocktail menu is the main event, built by Bar Director Darryl Chan to feel like a journey through global flavors. Each drink reworks a classic with unexpected ingredients tied to a specific location. You might find the Cebu Island, a clarified cocktail made with scotch, rum, coconut, and calamansi, or the Mapo District, which features a sesame oil-washed Laphroaig Islay whisky. The food menu from Chef Andrew Carmellini is a tight list of elevated bar fare called "Parlor Snacks." It runs from small bites like Marcona-Stuffed Olives and Comté Gougères to a full dry-aged beef burger and Royal Ossetra Caviar service. This is not a casual, walk-in kind of place. Reservations are highly recommended, as the intimate room fills up quickly. The clientele is almost entirely adults, and it’s a popular spot for date nights and small groups looking for a polished setting. Be aware that tables are typically reserved for 90-minute intervals, a detail that keeps the space from getting overcrowded. The whole experience is controlled and sophisticated, designed for conversation over a few well-made drinks.