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Five iconic hotel bars everyone should try

Be warned, you might want to stay the night
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Hotel Bars are not just the preserve of tourists, with many quirky, glamorous and cool venues around the globe dominating the global drinking scene and attracting both locals and visitors alike. Whether its flawless design, an intriguing atmosphere, sweeping vistas and inspiring cocktail menus, here are some of the most iconic in-house watering holes for a tipple – or two.

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The American Bar, The Savoy 

The longest surviving cocktail bar in London has been open for drinks for close to 130 years, and is an absolute must when in the British capital.

Epitomising old world glamour with its grand décor and white-jacketed bartenders, this world-class institution at the five-star Savoy is steeped in history and was once led by Harry Craddock, the ‘godfather of the martini’ and the author of the bartender’s bible, The Savoy Cocktail Book.

Last year, the American Bar took out three awards at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards in New Orleans, including the prestigious World’s Best Bar, Best International Hotel Bar and Best International Bar.

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Sure, London is home to some of the world’s best hotel bars but don’t leave without a drink at this grand dame.

https://www.fairmont.com/savoy-london/dining/americanbar/

American
The American Bar is steeped in history (Credit: Getty Images)

Carousel Bar & Lounge,  Hotel Monteleone

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Located in Hotel Monteleone in New Orleans’ French Quarter, this revolving bar has been loved by locals and tourists alike since its installation in 1949.

Famous for its 25-seat, circus-clad Merry-Go-Round and carnival-themed bar, the whimsical icon has played host to the likes of Ernest Hemingway, Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote.

Looking out over the historic Royal Street, Carousel is an idyllic place to relax with a cocktail – do try the signature Vieux Carre created by head bartender Walter Bergeron in 1938 – and listen to live jazz.

https://hotelmonteleone.com/entertainment/carousel-bar/

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CarouselBar
Carousel is a New Orleans institution (Credit: Getty Images)

Manhattan, Regent Singapore

Voted number one in Asia’s 50 Best Bars for the second year in a row, this American-inspired haunt is a fusion of a grand hotel bar with a modern edge and a touch of New York glam.

Located in the heart of the city, this upscale bar boasts polished marble tables, velvet drapes, Chesterfield couches and attracts a well-heeled clientele.

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If you came for world-class drinks, then you wont be disappointed.

The beverage menu compliments the 1920s New York-inspired venue with 25 seasonal cocktails mixed with barrel-aged spirits from the bar’s very own rickhouse.

Manhattan also hosts a fabulous adults-only Sunday Cocktail Brunch where you can indulge in unlimited cocktails as well as freshly shucked oysters, mussels, Maine lobsters and Alaskan crab legs.

https://www.regenthotels.com/regent-singapore/dining/manhattan

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Manhattan
Cocktail hour at Manhattan Singapore (Credit: Supplied)

New York Bar, Park Hyatt Tokyo

Film buffs will recognise this high-rise bar as the striking centrepiece in Sofia Coppola’s award-winning film, Lost in Translation.

Perched on the 52ndfloor of the Park Hyatt in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district, this classy watering hole boasts floor-to-ceiling windows so you can sip a Japanese whiskey or a glass of wine – they have the largest selection of American labels in Japan – and take in the best views the city has to offer and the dulcet tones provided by international jazz musicians.

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Those not staying the night will have to pay a cover charge of AU$32 from Monday through to Saturday from 8pm and Sunday from 7pm so be sure to op in early for a sunset tipple.

https://restaurants.tokyo.park.hyatt.co.jp/en/nyb.html

ParkHyatt
This Tokyo haunt was Sofia Coppola’s award-winning film, Lost in Translation. (Credit: Supplied)

The NoMad Bar, NoMad Hotel

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WITH its world-class cocktails, sleek décor, good-times vibes and flawless service, this dimly lit, sexy space has been consistently named in the World’s 50 Best Bars top 10 for good reason.

Set in the mid-town New York hotel of the same name, NoMad Bar offers 40-plus classically-focused cocktails crafted with rare spirits as well as elevated bar food like the their famous chicken pot pie with black truffles and foie gras.

Pull up a spot on the green leather banquettes and take in the buzzing atmosphere of this upscale saloon,inspired by the city’s 19th century drinking dens.

https://www.thenomadhotel.com/new-york/dining/spaces/the-nomad-bar

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Nomad
The sexy interior of NoMad Bar (Credit: Daniel Krieger)

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