Sophisticated Drinks Take Guests on Sensory Adventures in a Setting That Evokes London's Finest Hotel Bars and Italian Villas

NEW YORK, Dec. 6, 2023—The Portrait Bar, an elegant cocktail destination, opens today in Manhattan's NoMad neighborhood. Located in The Fifth Avenue Hotel, a magnificently restored landmark at 1 West 28th St., the bar is helmed by long-time veteran fine-dining bartender Darryl Chan, whose urbane cocktail program conjures global travels. Chan's liquid creations take guests on an immersive bar chair tour of Italy, Colombia, England, Korea, Philippines, France, Japan, Mexico, Spain, India, Morocco and Scotland. He reimagines classic cocktails like the Milk Punch, Brandy Crusta, Margarita, Rusty Nail, Painkiller and more with unexpected spirits and ingredients to take tipplers on transporting sensory adventures.

The Portrait Bar is part of NoHo Hospitality Group led by Chef Andrew Carmellini, Luke Ostrom and Josh Pickard. Chef Carmellini has created elevated Parlor Snacks to accompany the bar's worldly cocktails, which take familiar bar fare to new heights of refinement and deliciousness. Evoking London's finest hotel bars and inspired by Italian villas, the bar is a stately wood-paneled retreat where guests can enjoy sophisticated cocktails by a carved stone fireplace. It takes its name from the more than 50 striking portraits of diverse individuals from all walks of life adorning its walls that celebrate our shared humanity. 

“The Portrait Bar offers a timeless experience that will appeal to New Yorkers and travelers alike,” says Chan, Bar Director and Head Bartender, The Portrait Bar. “The cocktail program is a mix of modern and classic variations that conjure a sense of place and is inspired by our collective travels, offering a fun but centered taste of the world. Our cocktails conjure Italy, Colombia, Seoul, Philippines and other evocative global destinations.”

A Worldly Cocktail Menu Takes Guests on the Global Adventure of Their Choosing

• Torino (Italy) - Campari, Cardamaro, Antica Torino, Saba, Fig Leaf Soda ($22)

Balanced, bitter, sweet and herbaceous

• Barrio Getsemani (Cartagena, Colombia) - Gin, Aguardiente, Passion Fruit, Sherry, Cherry Bark Vanilla Bitters ($22)

A clean, crisp Martini with tropical vibes

• St. James (London, England) - Gin, Earl Grey Tea, Cucumber, Blackberries ($22)

Afternoon tea meets English Milk Punch

• Mapo District (Seoul, Korea) - Tokki Soju, Sesame-Oil Washed Laphroaig Single Malt Whisky, Cucumber, Lemon, Pineapple-Vanilla Cordial ($22)

Smoky, nutty, complex

• Cebu Island (Philippines) - Rum, Scotch, Coconut, Calamansi, Bay Leaf, Peppercorn, Midori ($22)

A clarified cocktail with silky, tropical notes

• Cognac (France) - Cognac, Pineau des Charentes, Cappelletti, Grapefruit, Orgeat ($22)

A Brandy Crusta with a certain Je ne sais quoi

• Kochi (Japan) - Suntory Toki, Cynar, Yuzu, Star Anise, Sarsaparilla ($22)

A Whiskey Sour with classic, comforting flavors

• Oaxaca (Mexico) - Oaxacan Gin, Empirical Ayuuk, Contratto Aperitif, Lime Sherbet, Hibiscus, Chocolate ($22)

Not a Margarita for Margarita drinkers 

• Andalucia (Spain) - Gin Mare, Blanco Vermut, Sherry, Umami, Sakura Bitters ($22)

A savory, buttery yet clean Martini

• Mumbai (India) - Rum, Sotol, Mango, Coconut, Almond, Orange, Bombay Spice Blend ($22)

A mango lassi Painkiller

• Marrakesh (Morocco) - Beach Plum Gin, Nardini Mandorla, Smoked Cinnamon, Lemon, Egg White ($22)

Frothy, comforting, tart

• Nail in the Skye - Talisker 25, 1965 Drambuie ($65)

A rusty Rusty Nail

Sophisticated Parlor Snacks by Chef Andrew Carmellini

• Marcona-Stuffed Olives ($13)
• Comté Gougères ($14)
• Wedge Salad Lettuce Cups ($15)
• French Onion Dip, Housemade Potato Chips ($18)
• 'Caesar' Deviled Egg ($14)
• Jumbo Gulf Shrimp Cocktail ($28)
• Foie Gras Tartine, Fennel Jam, Cassis ($25)
• Tuna Tartare, Yuzu Cucumber, Crispy Nori ($18)
• Crispy Oysters, Celery Root Remoulade, Lemon Aioli ($24)
• Hot Dog au Poivre, Crispy Potatoes, Pickled Onions  ($20)
• The Burger, Dry-Aged Beef, Clothbound Cheddar, Special Sauce, Brioche Bun ($30)
• London Fries, Malt Vinegar Aioli ($16)
• Royal Ossetra Caviar, Crème Fraîche, Warm Potato Croquettes ($195)

Lush Design by Martin Brudnizki Inspired by Italian Villas and a Well-Traveled Life

The rich, intimate space was designed by Martin Brudnizki Design Studio and inspired by Italian villas. Dark wood paneling holds an exceptional art collection which is more than just a collection of portraits—paintings, photographs, drawings—it is a collection of lives and stories. More than 50 portraits adorn the walls and lend the bar its name. They are hung salon-style, as is common in the great family rooms of Europe, where the portraits traditionally trace their lineage across generations and reinforce a sense of filial duty.

At The Portrait Bar, the portraits are of very diverse people from all walks of life and suggest that we are all part of a single human family. The intimate and comfortable interiors reflect the well-traveled life of a collector who has filled their home with works of art and curiosities that tell a story of adventure. Antique mirrors offset a contemporary woven rug, with accents of marble and brass lending a glamorous glow. 

About The Portrait Bar

Located in The Fifth Avenue Hotel, a magnificently restored landmark at 1 West 28th St., The Portrait Bar is an ode to global travel. Its cocktail program, created by fine-dining bartending veteran Darryl Chan, takes guests on a wide-ranging global tour of flavors and sense memories, with elevated Parlor Snacks by Chef Andrew Carmellini. In a library setting that evokes London's finest hotel bars, the bar's design takes inspiration from Italian villas and is bedecked with original pieces of art, including more than 50 diverse portraits that lend the bar its name. The Portrait Bar's hours of operation are Sunday to Thursday, 5pm to 12am, and Friday to Saturday, 5pm to 1am. For more information, please visit www.theportraitbar.com and follow us on Instagram at @theportraitbarnyc. 

About NoHo Hospitality Group

Since first partnering in 2009, Chef Andrew Carmellini, Josh Pickard and Luke Ostrom have opened a national portfolio of restaurants and culinary services at preeminent hotels, live music venues and major metropolitan sports arenas and airports across New York City, Baltimore, Detroit and Nashville, including Locanda Verde, The Dutch, Joe's Pub and The Library at The Public, Lafayette, Bar Primi, Leuca, Westlight, Mister Dips, Rec Pier Chop House, The Cannon Room, San Morello, Evening Bar, The Brakeman, Penny Red's, Carne Mare, The Dutch Nashville and Carne Mare Nashville. The team actively runs food and beverage operations in four hotels, including The Greenwich Hotel, The William Vale, Sagamore Pendry Baltimore and the Shinola Hotel. Known for delivering quality experiences and pertinent culinary culture, each place is a distinctly owned, handcrafted labor of love. They've received widespread critical acclaim, recognition on countless “Best of” lists, a Michelin star, and two coveted James Beard Awards. To learn more, visit nhgnyc.com or AndrewCarmellini.com.

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