M by Megu: M by Megu opens at 6pm to cater to the post-work crowd, but come 10pm you’ll have to use a side entrance and make it past the doorman and velvet ropes to enter this upstairs lounge (formerly Kimono Bar) of restaurant Megu. Overlooking the main dining room, the dimly-lit lounge’s décor is fittingly posh, decked out with comfy leather banquettes and ottomans, brightly colored tapestries, and paintings from well-known Japanese artists. The bar has been downsized this time around to allow room for dancing, but there's no shortage of house cocktails—15 of them are priced between $14 and $20. Their excellent Blessing Cocktail (Megu means “blessing” in Japanese) is a mix of Russian Standard, strawberry, and pomegranate juice. At $17 it’s not cheap, but at least you get an orchid garnish with that. Bottle service is done in Japanese tea ceremony style by waitresses dressed in bikinis—just in case this ritual isn't slavish enough as is. The space has been drawing a mixed bag of business drinkers, tourists, and a younger set drawn in by the hype. Open daily from 6pm-2am. |
