New York City - Quiet East Midtown bars?

My office is at 52nd and Lex, and I'm interviewing a guy for my MBA program on Thursday night. I usually let interviewees pick whether they'd like to come to my office, Starbucks, or get a drink. He is the first person to opt for the drink, and I realized I don't know any place to go!

What are some bars in the area that are quiet-ish at 5pm-ish on a Thursday and would be an OK atmosphere for a glass of wine and chatting for an hour?

Restaurant bars, hotel bars, bar bars, anything works.

Thanks!

Quiet on a Thursday arvo, that'll be interesting. Steer clear of anything on 2nd or 3rd avenue. It will probably have to be a hotel bar like the Opia on 57th and Lex or The National which is on the same corner as your office.

Options are hotel bars on a Thursday

FireSide at the Omni on 52nd & Madison
Monkey Bar - not sure of hotel but 54th bet Mad & Park.

As other indicate on Thursday everything else East of you is swamped.

Lobby lounge (not the bar) at the W on Lex.

Would the King Cole Bar at the St. Regis New York be too fancy? It also might be a little far from where you want but it might also wow your interviewee!

Would the King Cole Bar at the St. Regis New York be too fancy? It also might be a little far from where you want but it might also wow your interviewee!

Excellent idea! But yes, too fancy.

Mr. K's (http://mrksny.com/index2.htm) has a great bar. Excellent appetizers as well. And the location couldn't be closer to your office.

Mr. K's (http://mrksny.com/index2.htm) has a great bar. Excellent appetizers as well. And the location couldn't be closer to your office.

Cool. Is it quiet after work, with a table to take notes on?

Thanks!

I wouldn't say it's quiet (where is it quiet in NYC?), but it's not noisy. I used to go there almost every evening when I worked at 53rd and Lex, but I have to admit I haven't been there in about 5 years. So hopefully it hasn't changed much!

Wound up going to the W. It was fine. The music wasn't too loud; instead, it kept each conversation private. Not too crowded either.

But my glass of over-oxidized pinot noir was $18. Ah, NYC hotel bars...

Wound up going to the W. It was fine. The music wasn't too loud; instead, it kept each conversation private. Not too crowded either.

But my glass of over-oxidized pinot noir was $18. Ah, NYC hotel bars...

You're welcome; I think. :D