August 6, 2008
High in the Sky cocktails at Roosevelt Hotel's mad46
NewYorkology contributor Vidiot commits journalism by night, edits Cocktailians and explores NYC by day. He’s especially interested in the infrastructure, transit, architectural wonders, drinking establishments, and hidden corners of the greatest city in the world.
 The venerable Roosevelt Hotel recently joined the rooftop-bar brigade when it opened mad46 on its 19th-floor terrace. Cleverly named after the intersection nearest the hotel’s back entrance, mad46 opened in June and appeared very popular when NewYorkology visited this Tuesday evening.
You’re met at the curb by one of the lounge’s team of security people, who sport black T-shirts and radio earpieces. They will direct you through a side door, through a spiffed-up service corridor, and to a dedicated elevator to the roof. (The visit began a little standoffishly: I saw one security person bark at some patrons who attempted to follow another group down the corridor, and another security person closed the elevator door in my face.)
But once I arrived at the roof, I took in the spectacular views of the New York Central (Helmsley) and MetLife (Pan Am) Buildings, and the clock atop 444 Madison Avenue reminded me that it was cocktail hour.
The stylish after-work crowd was out in force on the long, narrow terrace when I visited, and the bar’s “Tiki Tuesday” promotion (which they’re running through the end of August) featured Clément rums and liqueurs. Bartender Tristan made me a very fine Mai Tai — the original recipe, sans all the pineapple-guava-passion fruit nonsense that often gets shoveled into rum-based drinks — and life was good.
 The bar frequently teams up with brewers and spirits companies for themed events, such as “Mojito Monday”, which showcases various flavored Mojitos. Bartender Christina told me that the Mojito is the bar’s most-ordered libation, and the St. Germain (Champagne, St. Germain elderflower liqueur, club soda), Daiquiris, Margaritas, and good old beer seemed quite popular as well.
The bar menu (in pdf) also offers bottle service and a wide array of specialty cocktails and martini variations. Some limited food offerings are available, such as cheese plates, shrimp cocktail, and crudités, and are priced from $12-$18. Cocktails are $12, and beers are $8-$10.
mad46 is on the 19th-floor rooftop terrace of the Roosevelt Hotel. Enter at the hotel’s back entrance on 46th Street at Madison Avenue, map.
Picture credits: Vidiot.
Earlier: High in the Sky at Peninsula hotel’s new Salon de Ning
High in the Sky: a Times Square 360 at The View
August 6, 2008 12:04 PM in Architecture, Drinkology, Hotelology, Midtown
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