Another day, another secret bar opens. This time the latest “hidden” joint is Cash Bar, a second-floor haunt located in the shadow of the Empire State Hotel over in Midtown East. Their schtick is a glass cube with $1 Million that sits in the center of the room (we’d bet a cool million that the cash is phony), and to access the bar you have to open a door that’s hidden behind an ATM with an “out of order” sign on it.
Exhausted yet? Don’t be. Although the trend of hidden bars is pretty tired, Cash Bar actually delivers – it’s a cool, low-key haunt that is pretty much the only acceptable spot for a drink in this hood. They don’t do much to keep themselves hidden – there is actually a sign outside saying “bar on the second floor.” On a recent visit, the room was three-quarters of the way full – we snagged two stools at the bar and were taken by the complete lack of pretension in the room. There is a list of cocktails, but nothing too ornate or annoying, a totally friendly staff and some quiet corners where you could catch up with friends.
The whole thing reminded us of Cabin Down Below, before its past year or so of douchbaggery. And, most impressively, it’s cheap. We had a bunch of drinks and only rang up a $40 tab (the only negative – Cash Bar is cash only, lame). It may not be in the right neighborhood, but if it were downtown everything would probably cost $5 more and you’d have to know someone to get in. If looking to feel money without the effort, Cash Bar is located at 58 East 34th Street.
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