The Rum House

The guys behind Tribeca mixology haven Ward III have revived Rum House, midtown’s newest old watering hole. The red-walled and wood-paneled drinking den is accented with nightly piano playing, while the space has been elevated beyond its former existence as a simple, pre-theater hotel bar to a classic cocktail lounge swathed in leather banquets and lit by glowing candles, soothing away the knowledge that Times Square is just around the corner. The cocktails also don't disappoint: Classic and strong, they may not be as exotic as those as Ward III but are comparable in craftsmanship. The intrigue is found in subtle details, like the burnt orange zest in the smoky Scotch-based Barrymore. — Justine Sterling