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TRIBECA, NEW YORK CITY: New York is the type of city where you really need to see it twice to experience it once. Indeed, visiting the extraordinary metropolis multiple times won’t even crack its surface. With this in mind, you need a good spot to stay—a place that is central to soaking in the city’s energy and culture, even when you’re not out at a bar or a restaurant or a museum.
Enter The Roxy Hotel New York. Located in downtown Manhattan’s most creative nook—Tribeca—this cool, dim-lit boutique hotel is the brainchild of president of GrandLife Hotels, Tony Fant. Stepping inside the cast iron revolving front doors is almost like skipping back to New York’s music scene in the 80s and 90s, somewhere between Bowie, Lou Reed and Madonna. In fact, given such celebrities were spotted in the early 80s partying at the Mudd Club just a few doors down—the famed nightclub with the Keith Haring gallery on level four—The Roxy would have sure been a place for those Studio 54-types had it existed in that era.
The Scene:
On the lobby floor, you’ll find the Roxy Bar, a bustling scene for downtown denizens with an all-day menu of great American fare (and even better oysters. Check the bar for the daily showcase.) The stage comes alive with a rotating roster of NYC jazz performers, too, and resident pianist named Michael Garin performs every night.
But if you really want to immerse yourself in the NYC jazz scene, trust us when we tell you, The Django downstairs is your go-to. With its exposed brick and red velvet curtains, this dark and moody subterranean jazz club has two cocktail bars, an open dining space and a live jazz line-up every night from 7pm until late. It’s the perfect way to unwind after a day of exploring, or a romantic date spot. Note: You must book via Resy, and it’s USD$25 (AUD$38) entry on Sunday, Monday, Wednesday and Thursday, and USD$35 (AUD$53) on Tuesday, Friday and Saturday nights.
Perhaps the most unique asset to this property, however, is its cinema. A nod to the old-world movie theatres of the 1920s, this art-deco inspired cinema is a popular destination for films premiering at the famous Tribeca Film Festival. Off schedule, the Roxy Cinema specialises in first-run independent films, rare archival prints and 35mm cult classics, a way of keeping the area’s history alive, and supporting the new crop of creatives.
The Green Room is actually one of The Roxy’s latest additions, a space for New York’s entertainment industry to hold fancy soirees. With a private entrance located at 298 Church Street, this 600-square-foot space caters to talent, filmmakers, creatives, musicians, cast, and crew. Green Room provides a private lounge or gathering space for pre or post-screening cocktails, intimate dinners, panels, interviews, pop-up showcases, creative meet-ups, and more.
The Rooms:
This GRAZIA editor stayed in the Deluxe One Bedroom Suite, a spacious guest room with separate living and sleeping spaces—a room well equipped for a short or longer stay. With hardwood floors and intricate light fittings, it’s a cosy vibe with mid-century accents: the cow hide rug, the leather lounge, the wooden credenza housing a box of 80s and 90s records. Yes, it was the record player that really set the mood. Stumbling home after a long day at work—I was interviewing a myriad of names about town that day—I was so happy to settle into a glass of wine in the Roxy Bar, and then another few glasses of wine while listening to Bowie.
And if you’re worried about the noisiness of the hotel, don’t be. When you enter the room, there’s a switch next to the light switch labelled “Sound Masking System”. Yes, each guest room is equipped with this special switch that, when turned on, emits a “soothing, background sound that masks unwanted exterior noises”. You can control the level of masking, too. It wasn’t loud on the evening I came home, but I turned on the masking system anyway. It was very calming. Like white noise as I slept soundly.
With nine-foot ceilings and views that look out over the streets below, you’ll wake up well slept and a part of the city. Like I said, at The Roxy, the New York experience begins when you wake up, and ends when you fall asleep.
If this data from Open Table is to believed, it would take 22.7 years to eat at every New York City restaurant. (That’s a different spot once a day, and never the same place twice.) We’re all on borrowed time, so if you want to immerse yourself within the culture, both past and present, of one of the greatest cities in the world during every waking hour you’re in town, this one is for you.
Stay at The Roxy, New York City
