Tales Spirited Awards 2026 - Best U.S. Hotel Bar - Best U.S. Hotel Bar (Top Four Finalist)

Dear Irving is worth targeting for a two-person cocktail date in Midtown when the room and drink program matter more than dinner. It is a poor fit for spontaneous groups or food-led plans, but a strong choice for a polished pre- or post-theater stop if availability lines up.

Lido Restaurant at The Surf Club is the right booking for anyone who wants relaxed Italian dining in a room with nearly a century of history behind it. The 1930s Surfside setting does heavy lifting, and the kitchen delivers pasta and seafood at a level that justifies the hotel-restaurant price point. Book a week out during winter season; walk-in availability improves significantly in summer.

Against French Quarter peers, The Carousel Bar is the pick for a polished hotel-bar stop with strong national recognition and a room that feels specific to New Orleans. Go for drinks and atmosphere, not a dinner-first plan; couples and small groups are a better fit than larger parties.

ViceVersa holds two consecutive Michelin Plates (2024 and 2025), making it Miami's most credentialed pizza destination at the $$$ tier. The booking difficulty is moderate, so a week's advance planning is usually enough. If Mister O1 is your current Miami pizza reference, ViceVersa operates at a higher documented quality threshold and warrants the comparison.