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Bull and Bear

Located in Midtown East in Upper Manhattan, the Bull and Bear, like its name hints, serves up bossy steaks and bold drinks. When it comes to steaks, there may not be a more fitting and better place to eat one in North America. The burgers are darn tasty too.

Classy, old-school, impressive, and downright lively, the Bull and Bear is one of New York’s most famous bars. Think of what you get here. Sophisticated New York dining, inventive cocktails, top-notch wines, and elegant ambiance combine to provide a pleasing experience. And, like other New York nightlife venues, it is not tame come late hours.

History and Atmosphere

The original bar was located on the present day sight of the Empire State Building. During the nineteenth century in New York, the original bar at the Waldorf-Astoria was the place where financial gurus, kings of real estate, and energetic entrepreneurs met, negotiated, and signed deals. Indeed, many important moments in the business history of New York occurred. To pay tribute to this heritage of the bar, the owners placed two bronze displays of a bull and a bear in the bar.

The current location is on Park Avenue was opened in 1931. In early 20^th century New York and in modern Big Apple times, Wall Street execs and the businessmen of Manhattan met to discuss financial happenings and industry trends. The Men’s Bar, as it was and is known, became a business club of sorts.

In 1960, the Bull and Bear Steakhouse started doing business and quickly gained fame among the business patrons and regular guests for its ample portions, gamey meat, succulent steaks, and tasty seafood.

The bar and restaurant possess a refined ambiance that reminds one of a 1920’s setting. Whiskey on the rocks seems like a fitting drink to order as soon as you walk in. The furniture is the finest Italian handwork and the seats alone make dinner a cozy experience.

The establishment entertains and serves a healthy mix of local professionals, tourists visiting New York, and average Joes. With entrees starting at around $25, the restaurant and bar is open to many different types of guests. For those visiting New York with a family, coming here for dinner is a great idea. The bar and the dining area are separated.

Dress is elegant casual, so be sure to wear a nice collared shirt and slacks. A nice dress or blouse works well for a woman. Polo shirts and jeans are okay, but you may feel out of place.

In general, dinner hours here are done with class. While it’s common to see fellow patrons putting down scotch or martinis, dinner is made for dining and conversation here. And Head Chef William J. Lustberg grills up some incomparable Prime Angus Steaks. So there’s no need to be loud. Just eat!

By around eight or nine, though, expect the beer taps, wine bottles, and liquor to be flowing out. The place gets pretty loud come nightfall.

The venue has private dining salons and can be booked for parties.

Prices

If you are eating dinner, expect to spend nearly $200 if you don’t get drinks. If you are just going for a drink, budget anywhere from $40 to $100, depending on how you drink.

For six of the delectable North America’s Finest Oysters, you pay $24. A Caesar’s Salad is $16. A thick, juicy 14 ounce New York Strip Streak is $52. The mammoth 36 ounce Prime Porterhouse sells for $94. The fresh Atlantic Salmon Steak is $34. The House Burger is $29.

The wine list features an eclectic mix of imports and domestics and ranges in price from around $15 to $30 per glass. A variety of white, sparkling, and red wines are in stock. Cocktails are a bit lower in price but comparable to the wines. Try the Chocolate Martini if you want something unique. Beers hover around $10 to $12.

Opening Hours

The restaurant is open from five in the afternoon to eleven in the evening every night. The bar opens at the same time, but stays open until midnight every night.

Getting There

Located near many Fortune 500 firms, Central Park south, popular New York shopping spots, and in the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, one of the finest hotels in New York, the Bull and Bear is in one of the most vibrant areas of New York. And getting here via New York transportation is simple. For those taking a train into the city, just get off at Grand Central Terminal. Bus lines M1 through M4, M3, M4, M42, M101, M103, and M102 all go into the general area. Green subway lines 4, 5, and 6, the S Line, and Purple lines 6 and 7 all service the area as well.

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Bull and Bear