The Whitby Bar image

The Whitby Bar

Bar

Artful hotel haunt with a 30-ft. pewter bar serving coffee, cocktails, modern fare & afternoon tea. People often mention afternoon, service, great, good, beautiful, table, atmosphere, decor, scones, time,


Address

18 W 56th St, New York, NY 10019

Website

www.firmdalehotels.com

Contact

(212) 586-5656

Rating on Google Maps

4.60 (333 reviews)

Open on Google Maps

Working Hours

  • Sunday: 7 AM to 11 PM
  • Monday: 7 AM to 11 PM
  • Tuesday: 7 AM to 11 PM
  • Wednesday: 7 AM to 11 PM
  • Thursday: 7 AM to 11 PM
  • Friday: 7 AM to 11 PM
  • Saturday: 7 AM to 11 PM

Featured Reviews


Frequently mentioned in reviews: afternoon (19) service (12) great (11) good (11) beautiful (10) table (9) atmosphere (9) decor (8) scones (8) time (8)
Reviews are sorted by relevance, prioritizing the most helpful and insightful feedback at the top for easier reference.
  • 5/5 Norhan B. 1 year ago on Google
    We did a Sunday tea here. Everything was so cute and the food was great. The decor inside was also beautiful.
    8 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 2/5 N P. 5 months ago on Google • 409 reviews
    We went for afternoon tea, a star each for the ambiance and scones. ZERO for hospitality - service & food. From the hostesses who were too busy having their own conversations to our server who needed sleep - couldn’t stop yawning - kept staring at the POS screen making it extremely hard to get his attention. All the sandwiches were tasteless except the coronation chicken. The petit four were sweet but that’s all. Don’t waste your time
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Neha V. 4 months ago on Google
    We visited the Whitby bar for their afternoon tea. We had called ahead and made reservations, they even remembered our dietary restrictions and made changes accordingly. My husband and I could each pick one tea and both of them (Earl Grey and Chamomile) tasted lovely. The three tiered food came with a selection of sandwiches, scones and desserts. We loved the food and it was very filling. The staff is very courteous and kept checking in on us. Overall, we loved this experience.
    5 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Maya K. 2 years ago on Google • 70 reviews
    So I found this place when I was looking for a high tea afternoon and I reserved a table. Their website says they serve high tea until 5pm, which was good because I came for my reservation at 3pm. The host told me that high tea wasn’t available only when I book 24 hours in advance and not through OpenTable. I didn’t find this information anywhere and it was really disappointing. We ended up having lunch with the regular menu that was really expensive for the food that was just OK. I would say that the place is decorated perfectly with a lot of art work and in a very good taste. We really enjoyed the atmosphere. I hope that I’ll get the chance to come back this time, for high tea.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 4/5 Ariana L. 2 years ago on Google • 169 reviews
    Really good attention and the breakfast was sooo delicious! Yes, it's a little overpriced... but for a new experience it was pretty good. The ambience was relaxed and my servers really polite. Overall, a great place!! And to be fair, I think the continental breakfast it's perfect for 2 people. I couldn't finish mine!! (I know the name should had gave me a clue, but I actually asked if it wasn't too big... they said NO.😳😅) Price: U$38,66. (Gratuity included) (The only thing I didn't quite liked was that they added 20% of the gratuity. So it actually doesn't give you any choice. To me that was weird, but I didn't knew what the policy was, so... that's that.🤷🏻‍♀️)
    3 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 3/5 Tiffany X. 1 year ago on Google
    I came to the Whitby Bar for afternoon tea yesterday and while nothing was bad, nothing was great either. It was just overwhelming average and for the price it cost, we left feeling disappointed. I didn’t want to post this initially since nothing went “wrong”, but I felt misled by the overall great reviews of this place and didn’t want anyone else to make the same mistake. To preface, I love afternoon tea, and have had it in several places in London, Hong Kong, Shanghai, and Atlanta. My rating of this place is in comparison to all of those afternoon tea experiences. The Whitby Bar is in a 5-star hotel (a hotel which has many locations in London) in NYC, which set my expectations high. When we were led to our table in the back, we walked by many used tables (around 5) that were left untouched for awhile. The sandwiches were extremely bland, boring, and a little stale. The desserts were uninventive and upsetting. Why would such a high tier hotel serve two mini cupcakes that look like they’re from a grocery store as part of the afternoon tea? The scones were OK. We had a server offer to refill out teapots with hot water within 5 minutes of getting the tea pots and afterwards was not serviced at all. I know this is a nit picky review, but that is because a restaurant hotel of this tier should do much better. If you’re expecting an elevated afternoon tea experience, please don’t expect that here. Even the afternoon tea I had in the suburb of Atlanta at a small family owned restaurant was much better than this.
    4 people found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Hina Yu C. 10 months ago on Google • 222 reviews
    Very beautiful unique artistic space. I enjoy it very much. Very fun to look at everywhere from wall art to tableware. Holistic design. I like the health organic salad, Dover sole. The blueberry cobbler is amazing

  • 5/5 Alicia W. 8 months ago on Google • 213 reviews
    I was invited to a dinner here and loved it! The decor is very interesting and thoughtful (check out the clock in the hotel lobby!) and unique. It’s a warm and cozy atmosphere and instantly makes you relax. The drink menu was diverse and the food and service was great. They had lots of gluten free and vegan options on the menu easily marked as well.

  • 5/5 John M. 9 months ago on Google • 112 reviews
    Afternoon tea at the Whitby is a civilized treat. The restaurant is lovely, and the tea and foods are excellent. It is a relaxing way to spend an afternoon
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Kai S. 7 months ago on Google • 137 reviews
    Great atmosphere and interior decor to have quick cocktails with friends. Staff is attentive and nice. Cocktails are tasty. Wish I tried the food.

  • 4/5 Sharon M. 10 months ago on Google • 120 reviews
    I came here for the afternoon tea. It was a really nice experience overall! I got there about 15 minutes before my reservation and they were able to seat me right away. It took some time to get service at first though. I had to wait a while for water and the menu. Once I ordered the tea everything was really smooth. I enjoyed all of the food. Some other reviews said the food was not good, but I thought everything was really good! Sandwiches were not stale, scones were amazing and the pastries also were delicious.

  • 5/5 Karina Annerose M. 2 years ago on Google
    Beautiful and comfortable ambience, spacious setting. The interior is elegant, tastefully & creativly impressive arranged with art accents. One of the most beautiful restaurants in Manhattan with much attention to details! Excellent drinks, good food with polite, pleasant hosts, and accommodating service. The Whitby is quiet & intimate enough to have a good conversation. Great atmosphere!
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Ana K. 8 months ago on Google
    Great atmosphere and decorations. Food is good not like wow, but overall atmosphere and service still makes it worth a visit.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Vanessa B. 2 years ago on Google
    Comfortable and cozy vibe. Loved my chai tea and service. The food was good as well.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Leanna P. 2 years ago on Google
    Absolutely stunning, intimate space... Bright and chic interior design with a ode to the bohemian colors, decor and choice in art pieces... Including the furniture... The layout of the bar area has a morden rustic feel and air to its atmosphere. Nice venue for a quiet evening, where light dining, a stocked bar and polite conversations is the highlight of your visit. It is not a boisterous or obscenely loud venue. Great for a first date if you want to take the time to actually get to know each other and be screaming at one another over a cacophony of sounds and the neighboring streets are quite dainty and scenic for a long stroll. Worth a visit. Dress code would be more semi casual to business casual during the day, and you can go for a sort of classy cocktail vibe in the evening. Hosts are quite polite, pleasant and accommodating.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 Lish 1 year ago on Google
    Charming bar area. Good selections of wine. Professional staff is always a plus, and the unique decor is to be adored. I'll have to return for a meal one day.
    1 person found this review helpful 👍

  • 5/5 C E. 1 year ago on Google • 61 reviews
    I absolutely love this hotel & this bar is a beautiful accessory to an incredible place to stay. The tea time spread is out of this world, and if you can get the Honor Bar room to yourself, you will feel like you’re safe at home, with table service. Details are to be discovered everywhere.

  • 5/5 Olivia S. 3 weeks ago on Google • 16 reviews New
    Had a lovely birthday celebration with a large group here! Delicious finger sandwiches, scones, and pastries. The restaurant decor is charming, full of unique and vibrant decor. Would highly recommend this spot for an afternoon tea!🫖

  • 5/5 Fatmata B. 1 year ago on Google
    Wanted a fun way to celebrate graduation so came to the Whitney Bar for afternoon tea. Definitely make a reservation ahead of time it books up quickly! We arrived and were promptly seated. The staff was really nice up front. The tea options were amazing! The tiers of food kept coming and honestly had the best scones I’ve had in the city. Felt like I was transported to london! They also have me a special graduation cake and made me feel very special. The waiter was so helpful and friendly. Loved it and will be back again!

  • 5/5 Lainie B. 3 months ago on Google New
    We had the pleasure of afternoon tea with a large group. Matt, the Manager, went over and above to ensure that our group was happy. The service was amazing and the food and drinks were delicious. I highly recommend this venue and the value was great for the high quality of the food and service.

  • 1/5 Zenaya F. 3 months ago on Google New
    I booked The Whitby to celebrate my birthday and had the WORST experience. MY PARTY WAS BEING PROFILED. We were the only black people in there. I booked with the restaurant a MONTH in advance and were in communication with a lot of the members about seating (requested a booth seating over phone), it being birthday celebration, and basic questions about the tea package via email and phone call. They were nice and welcoming so I assumed the atmosphere would feel welcoming. Upon arrival, got seated literally in the middle of the server walkway, with a tiny circle table for SIX GUESTS, some of my guests were in the MIDDLE of the server walkway or touching the door of the walkway, with no booth seating and NO TABLE SKIRT. EVERY single table had a skirt except ours and when asked our rude server said we'd be the only table without a skirt because it was "designed that way." I even asked for a new seating accommodation based off the requests I made in ADVANCE and they told me they couldn't because others already made requests. Even when I had discussed a month out. Then following we saw them being helpful to Caucasian customers, parties of 3 even... SITTING AT LARGE BOOTH TABLES, not even using all of the space, behind us. We had to literally squeeze to eat our food because of how tiny and uncomfortable the table was. Another server even came out with a complimentary cupcake and couldn't even fit it on my table so I couldn't even properly blow the candle out. I also brought a cake and no longer even wanted their service to cut it because there was NO ROOM, meanwhile so many small groups behind us had larger tables... WITH A SKIRT. How disappointing to come and celebrate your birthday and couldn't even get a nice service and uncomfortable seating. Especially after being in communication all month. I really do believe that the service and lack of accommodation unfortunately was due to the party being an African American group! Never again. 0/10. Luckily I’ve learned how to make a best out of poor situations or my birthday would have been ruined.🤷🏽‍♀️

  • 5/5 JoAnna K. 2 months ago on Google • 8 reviews New
    My husband and I had afternoon tea here. The room was beautiful, colorful and airy. The wedgewood china had the Sailors Farewell design, sooo pretty. There were several choices of teas, scones, finger sandwiches and bite sized desserts. A very delightful afternoon in a beautiful setting! A must do in NYC!

  • 5/5 Michael S. 2 years ago on Google
    The food here is incredible. The salmon and chicken are the best I've ever had. The chef combines great flavor with perfect cooking skills to make delicious meals. The ambiance is great as the decorations are top notch. I highly recommend this place for a meal (it even just walk around and look at the space). I can't wait to go back. They have live jazz music too.

  • 5/5 Shatalya C. 1 year ago on Google
    I had a beautiful time at The Whitby hotel for afternoon tea with a friend. I highly recommend this experience if you’re in the New York City area.

  • 5/5 Sumeyra C. 2 years ago on Google
    Great atmosphere and design.

  • 4/5 Stephan H. 2 years ago on Google
    Went for afternoon tea. The scones were really great. Sandwiches and dessert tier was average. The pear and ginger cake was great though. The decor is really nice.

  • 5/5 Pavee S. 2 years ago on Google
    A great place for a proper afternoon tea

  • 2/5 Rosalee L. 2 years ago on Google
    I'm sad to say I had a poor dining experience here. The Whitby is beautiful, with truly fabulous art. I went for a weekday breakfast in May with two friends. One friend had to get up from the table twice to go find someone to take and then bring our order. The dining room was busy, but not packed, and no one else seemed to be having the same issue. Eventually, our food did arrive, and it was tasty. But our coffees had not yet made it. The check included an automatic 20% gratuity. I'm posting a review belatedly because I later noticed my credit card was charged the full amount of the check, not the 1/3 it should have been. I called to have this fixed and was assured it would be. Two weeks later, I've had no refund and no communication stating it might be on its way. I've just called again, and the woman I spoke to was nice – hopefully it will be fixed this time. But buyer beware: you might be in for a $100 omelette that you have to go fetch yourself.

  • 5/5 Laura W. 2 years ago on Google
    I enjoyed a nice breakfast here. It is a beautiful space and the food is good. Everything is served on cute china. The menu seemed to have options for most diets and the waiter asked about allergies early in the conversation. The bathroom was clean and they were carefully following city pandemic rules.

  • 5/5 Maxx P. 2 years ago on Google
    Incredible gin martinis. Elegant without being stuffy. Beautiful place!

  • 5/5 Felicia Kazin P. 2 years ago on Google
    Everything about this place was excellent. One of the most beautiful restaurants I've ever been to with so much attention to detail. Food and drink was top notch. Live jazz on Friday nights. 🎷


Call (212) 586-5656 Open on Google Maps

Amenities


  • Payments
    • ✓️ Debit cards
    • ✓️ Credit cards
  • Offerings
    • ✓️ Beer
    • ✓️ Food
    • ✓️ Wine
    • ✓️ Alcohol
    • ✓️ Cocktails
    • ✓️ Food at bar
    • ✓️ Hard liquor
  • Accessibility
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible entrance
    • ✓️ Wheelchair accessible restroom
    • ✗ Wheelchair accessible parking lot
  • Dining options
    • ✓️ Seating
  • Service options
    • ✓️ Dine-in
    • ✗ Delivery

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