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Operated by the Spotted Pig’s April Bloomfield and Ken Friedman and located in the back lobby of the rock ‘n roll-themed Ace Hotel, the Lobby Bar is an inviting spot for hotel guests and the Flatiron after-work crowd alike. The high-ceilinged space has a vibe that’s equal parts retro cocktail den and mad scientist’s library. Taxidermy and antique medical books serve as decorations amid wood-paneled walls, leather club chairs, and softly glowing hanging lights. Larger groups can settle on one of the oversized U-shaped red suede couches. The overall effect is cool rather than stuffy, with a graffiti-inspired mural along one wall adding a splash of modernity. The cocktail list, created by beverage director Dennis O’Connor, includes twists on classics, as well as original concoctions. The beer list is short, but well-selected, with offerings ranging from local Brooklyn Pilsner to Goose Island's Sofie. A small bar menu offers up housemade snacks, like salt and vinegar chips and caramel popcorn, but the focus here is more on pre- and post-dinner drinks, as evidenced by the thorough selection of aperitifs and digestifs. — Kaitlin Jessing-Butz