The Polo Bar Scene Report

Ralph remains the King of New York

The bar when you walk in

On Monday, my girlfriend Martha and I had dinner at The Polo Bar in New York City. Getting in the doors is no easy task, as it has become one of the hardest reservations to get in town. They release reservations one month in advance, and to obtain one, you have to call and speak with one of their representatives over the phone. No online reservations are allowed, a rule I love and respect despite making it incredibly hard to get a reservation.

My previous visit to The Polo Bar was in 2018, and I had been longing to return. Despite numerous attempts, even months in advance, I had been unsuccessful in securing a reservation. However, on this particular Monday, I decided to try my luck and called at 3 p.m. to inquire about any last-minute openings for that evening. To my sheer delight, they had a spot available. By 6 p.m., we were on our way uptown, and by 6:45 p.m., we were sipping on our martinis—a pleasantly unexpected turn of events.

One of the most delightful things about The Polo Bar is the layout. The entrance is off East Fifty-Fifth Street, across from the legendary St. Regis, directly beside a nicely appointed Crockett & Jones store, should you need new loafers before dining with Ralph. It's one of New York City's finest blocks, no doubt. Once you walk in, it's one of the most cozy bar setups I've ever been in (pictured above). Considering the bar is only available for those with dinner reservations below, it's always the perfect level of busyness.

As we walked in, seeing it humming was refreshing, yet we didn't have to cram in for seats, as we were seated comfortably at the end of the bar. We arrived about thirty minutes before our scheduled reservation time, 7:30 p.m., and the bar was perfect. As that time approached, the bar area filled up, and no empty seat was available. I had a Martini, Martha had a Last Word, and we were greeted with the best bar snacks I've ever had. As our drinks neared completion, I was tapped on the shoulder by the maitre d' who addressed me by name, even though we hadn't met yet, and told us our table was ready.

One of my favorite parts about The Polo Bar is the progression. Guests start upstairs at the bar and can have a drink. The din from downstairs echos up the wooden stairwell and creeps into the bar ever so faintly, hinting at what you can expect as the evening progresses. As we were escorted down, the stairs made way for a beautifully appointed dining room. It's much more prominent than the bar upstairs—a fun surprise.

Unsurprisingly, I wore a suit and tie for dinner, as I feel appropriate when dining at one of the buzziest spots in town. The dress code, per the RL website, is—

The Polo Bar has a dress code of smart and elegant attire. Entrance will not be permitted if guests are wearing athleticwear, beachwear, T-shirts, hoodies, ripped jeans, or hats. Jackets are not required for men, but much appreciated.

Let the record state that I do love a clear dress code, especially one like this, but it's a sad state of affairs in today’s fashion climate if we have to tell guests not to wear swim trunks and flip-flops to The Polo Bar.

The maitre d' gave us a corner seat (see below) at one of the best tables in the restaurant. He complimented me on my tie and thanked me for wearing one. I firmly think that because we dressed up for the occasion, we were rewarded with one of the better tables in the house.

Upon seating, I did a quick scan of the room. I'm sad to report that the men dining there did the minimum required to be let through the door that night. Most were wearing blazers—sadly, because it was 'strongly encouraged' by the dress code, not necessarily by choice. Collared shirts accompanied these blazers, buttoned down one button, too low, and no ties. Would I have liked all men to be in ties? Yes, always. However, I'll take what I can get during these casual times, and a room full of blazers is certainly a start.

Speaking of attire, I loved the staff clothing—perfectly tailored suits and dresses—all servers in an RL polo and a striped tie. Everyone looked very well-appointed, as one could probably assume. I think the striped ties add fun and personality and inject just the right level of informality into the otherwise very formal proceedings.

Ralph’s Burger

There's something about being in a place where you feel cared for. The Polo Bar is fancy, sure, but I wouldn't call it stuffy, which is sometimes the feeling I get when I enter the white-tableclothed, historic eateries above Fortieth Street in Manhattan. The food there was quite good, as were the drinks, but at The Polo Bar, the food and drink play second fiddle to the ambiance, the people-watching, and the mise en place of it all.

It's truly a beautifully designed room, with no detail left unnoticed. Everyone there is welcome—celebrities always seem to be around and seated next to regulars who go there every week and live down the street and tourists; it runs the gamut. Everyone there, whether you're George Clooney or a local who goes there every Tuesday night, has one thing in common though—they are happy to be there, and that's a room I want to be in.