Sundown, Hair Down: Super Stylish Six

Sundown, Hair Down: Super Stylish Six

They say relationships are sealed over a drink – be they business or purely leisure - getting together at a bar or club is as much a part of our complex human interactions as food.

Whether letting your hair loose involves dancing on a beach under the stars, sipping on well-made cocktails in an iconic bar in New York or a stylish rooftop overlooking the mesmerizing maze of a bustling ancient city, these six Design Hotels™ member properties are designed to keep the energy sparking long into the night.

San Giorgio Mykonos offers a bohemian paradise in a Mediterranean setting with a focus on ease and enjoyment. Music fanatics should head to Puro Oasis Urbano in Palma, which boasts a four night a week line-up of international DJ's. When looking for an urban sanctuary, the rooftop bar at Fresh Hotel with views over the Acropolis, provides the ideal retreat for late night cocktails. Two of New York's finest bars can be found at Gramercy Park Hotel, where world class art and an interesting history draw the creative minds of the world together. The cool but quirky Das Stue located in Berlin's Tiergarten exudes effortless elegance and offers views of Europe's most popular zoo. The new Art Lounge on the seventh floor of New Hotel in Athens offers a stylish venue for guests and locals alike, showcasing international art with views over the ancient city.
www.designhotels.com/best_bars

 

San Giorgio Mykonos
San Giorgio Mykonos was originally envisioned as a six-month hospitality experiment, but due to its huge success, the hotel that houses 33 rooms and suites, is here to stay. Flanked by white sand beaches and exuding a cool Mediterranean vibe, the hotel bar Stella di Mare is the perfect place for a pre-club warm-up. Thanks to the proprietors of the hotel also owning Paradise Club – frequently referred to as the best club on the island – the hotel plays host to headline DJ's, who can often be found in the poolside bar soaking up the atmosphere. The bar also serves up creative events such as Full Moon dinners combined with fine dining and champagne cocktails. After an evening of wine tasting from the oldest vineyards in the world, or mingling at the daily sunset party, it is on to the Paradise Club. Here, guests of the hotel are treated to the VIP package: offering access to VIP areas and a free shuttle service to pick you up once you've finished dancing the night away.

Puro Oasis Urbano, Palma
A coming together of historic 18th century architecture with contemporary gypset chic, Puro Oasis Urbano, with 51 rooms and suites, is the pinnacle of laid-back cool. This carefree island atmosphere is continued throughout the hotel, including the Opio bar where palatial features and ancient walls are accented by contemporary furniture in soothing earth tones. The bar, which opens onto a patio, features a new VIP area and has become a destination for Palma's stylish set. As well as delicious cocktails, the bar serves expert cooking from Chef León Altamirano, who has created a synthesis of Asian dishes and Mediterranean cuisine with an emphasis on flavor and simplicity. Music is at the heart of this hotel, with its own recording studio, regular sessions from international guest DJ's and several collaborations with Pacha Mallorca for this season, a radio station and a selection of custom compilations to ease guests into the weekend.

Fresh Hotel, Athens
Fresh by name, fresh by nature, this hotel with 133 rooms and suites is a retreat amidst the excitement of downtown Athens. The design of Fresh Hotel is characterized by bright colors and clean lines, and the rooftop Air Lounge radiates zen through its simple design and contemporary style. The luxury lounge, which opens onto the rooftop terrace and swimming pool, offers views over the ancient city. The lounge and bar provide an exciting venue for late night cocktail parties including fashion events and art openings. Apéritifs range from classic cocktails to Greek spirit mixes such as the Rakitini – a mix of Raki, grapefruit juice and simple syrup. Greek dishes served -fresh from the market' allow guests to experience local
flavors.

Gramercy Park Hotel, New York
Located in a sought after area of Manhattan, Gramercy Park Hotel with its 185 rooms, is a cultural landmark
with layers of history. The Rose Bar, with its sumptuous lounge décor and the intimate Jade Bar with its cozy but elegant design, make the hotel a quintessentially chic New York hangout. The bars' interiors scream lavish bohemia and the rotating art collection, featuring works by Andy Warhol, Keith Haring, Richard Prince, Thomas Wesselmann and Julian Schnabel, reflect the hotel's creative impulse. It is the flamboyance and dedication to drama at the hotel that has attracted many a famous face since the building's opening in 1925.

With a sophisticated but cool atmosphere, exotic cocktails and artistic clientele it is easy to see why the bars continue to be a hive of activity. A cocktail party here will be one to remember and the monthly Rose Bar Sessions, which have recently hosted The Rapture, Andrew Bird, The Head and the Heart, The Veils and The Heavy, speak for themselves.

Das Stue, Berlin
Fancy sipping on a Martini while watching ostriches stroll around in a central city location? It may sound like an unlikely proposition but the bar and adjoining terrace at Das Stue offers exactly that. This hotel's 80 rooms and suites, quiet location and fabulous views over Berlin's Tiergarten zoo, makes for a sophisticated urban retreat. The bar's laid-back elegance embodies the hotel's philosophy for a -celebration of socializing' and the drinks menu, which includes adaptations of 1930's cocktails, reflects the hotel's penchant for the drama of old movie classics. This extends to the interiors designed by Patricia Urquiola who has focused on texture and rich colors to create an intimate ambience. Through a collaboration with Till Harter, founder of Berlin's legendary BarTausend, the bar has also become popular with locals who come for cocktail nights, live performance and a taste of Berlin's renowned music scene.

 

New Hotel, Athens
In keeping with this hotel's remarkable design, which combines traditional Greek culture with contemporary art, the recently opened Art Lounge and bar at New Hotel is a satisfying symbiosis of old and new. The hotel, located in central Athens, houses 79 rooms and suites and features daring design from Italian art aficionados Maurizio Cattelan and Pierpaolo Ferrari which is offset by nods to classic Greek culture. With sweeping views over Athens, the seventh floor lounge extends onto a terrace, making it the ideal space for private parties or low-key soirees. The cocktail menu is extensive and offers innovative delights such as the Spicy Blond – a blend of tequila, fresh pineapple and lime juices, ginger liqueur and chili pepper. Lounge music completes the chilled atmosphere and Meze – a selection of small
local dishes – are served throughout the day.