Of all the bars in New York

The Bryant Park Hotel’s Cellar Bar in New York has won the prestigious Citysearch.com Audience Award for ‘Best Hotel Bar 2008'. As part of Citysearch.com’s annual contest to determine the “best of the best”, New Yorkers and visitors alike were asked to select their favourite hotel bar. With contributors praising the Cellar Bar’s superb atmosphere, exemplary service and great music, the city’s hippest hang out proved the runaway winner.

The Cellar Bar is a 3,000-square-foot, ultra-seductive lounge located beneath the glorious Art Deco building that houses The Bryant Park. Here the chicest New Yorkers, the fashion elite and numerous ‘A’ listers come to sip signature cocktails under the dramatic vaulted ceiling and candelabra chandeliers.

Just last month, FEARnet.com hosted a soirée here, with Samantha Ronson as guest DJ and the likes of Lindsay Lohan and Mena Suvari in attendance. Now, in the run up to Christmas, anyone who is anyone in New York City flocks to this subterranean haunt, with the party starting after work and carrying on until the early hours.

Like the city itself, The Bryant Park Hotel really comes into its own at Christmas time. Located between Fifth and Sixth Avenues, a stone’s throw from legendary emporiums Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Bergdorf Goodman and Saks Fifth Avenue, it is ideally suited for a pre Christmas shopping break.

For those who really can’t tear themselves away from the hotel’s vicinity, Bryant Park itself will again be transforming itself into one of the City’s most popular haunts. Gone are the tents from New York’s bi-annual Fashion Weeks and in their place is a vast ice rink where skaters can glide against a backdrop of the Manhattan skyline. Adding to the excitement are over 120 stalls offering stylish, one-of-a-kind items from around the world.

Towering majestically above this fairytale setting meanwhile is Bryant Park’s famous Christmas tree. Bedecked with over 30,000 white lights and 3,100 designer ornaments, it is a breathtaking sight.

For more information, log on to Bryantparkhotel.com.