NEW YORK CITY – Waldorf Astoria New York announced today a partnership with award-winning mixology authority Jeff Bell, managing partner of globally renowned speakeasy Please Don’t Tell (PDT) and partner with Apres Cru Hospitality. Bell will develop and conceptualize the cocktail program at the hotel’s iconic Peacock Alley Bar, as well as the hotel’s signature restaurant Lex Yard.
With decades of experience in the cocktail and hospitality industries, Bell is credited with curating some of the most distinguished mixology programs around the world. His legendary speakeasies PDT in New York City and Hong Kong have received numerous accolades including The World’s Best Bar from World’s 50 Best and Tales of the Cocktail, and he was the recipient of the James Beard Award’s first ever Outstanding Bar Program.
Bell will work alongside Waldorf Astoria New York’s and Hilton’s food and beverage team to launch the beverage program at the property, developing original offerings that build on classic New York cocktail culture and redefine the hotel bar, layering on modern service styles and interactive experiences. The hotel will offer an innovative all-day beverage program throughout Peacock Alley and Lex Yard, encompassing brunch-style cocktails, afternoon spritzes, pre-dinner drinks and evening cocktails, and more.
“Reopening the iconic Waldorf Astoria New York is not just the rebirth of a hotel, it’s the revival of a cultural landmark. Since opening on Park Avenue in 1931, Waldorf Astoria New York has been a staple of the city's society scene — countless memories have been made here, often with a glass raised in celebration,” said Bell. “Throughout its history, the hotel has been admired as a pioneer of the global mixology scene and I am incredibly proud to be part of the hotel’s next chapter and introduce Peacock Alley to a new generation of New Yorkers and guests.”
Peacock Alley
Waldorf Astoria New York’s iconic Peacock Alley bar, the city’s premier cocktail destination for nearly a century, is being restored to its original grandeur, and will once again reclaim its place as a destination for New Yorkers and visitors alike. The famed bar, an extension of the hotel’s reception areas, reimagines timelessness incorporating landmarked design elements with modern touches that will be enjoyed for generations to come. Honoring the bar’s legacy and cultural significance, the menu will feature original creations invented at Peacock Alley including Dr. Cook and Bishop Poker, as well as quintessential Prohibition-style cocktails and modernized versions of the classics. Menu items will include signature drinks such as the Waldorf Cocktail composed of Rye Whiskey, Sweet Vermouth, Dash of Absinthe, and Angostura Bitters.
“The reopening of Peacock Alley at Waldorf Astoria New York is a historic moment for both the hotel and the city,” said Tom Walters, senior vice president, Food & Beverage, Americas, Hilton. “A symbol of elegance and hospitality for nearly a century, Peacock Alley has long been a social hub for New Yorkers, celebrities, and travelers alike. In its new iteration, we are committed to honoring the bar’s storied past while embracing an exciting future—one that blends Hilton’s legacy of excellence with modern experiences and world-class cocktail service, for new generations to enjoy.”
Lex Yard
Inspired by the market-driven menu of the hotel’s signature restaurant, Lex Yard, led by Chef Michael Anthony, the cocktail menu will feature classics such as the Rob Roy, which was originally created at the property, a Rye Old Fashioned, as well as beverages made with seasonal ingredients sourced in partnership with the hotel’s culinary team. The wine list will feature a dynamic selection of bottles from top producers around the globe with rotating specials and themes. Lex Yard will also offer a selection of non-alcoholic and low alcohol by volume (ABV) libations, such as the no ABV Gin & Tonic made with Amas Riverine NA Spirit, lime juice, celery, cucumber and tonic water, and the low ABV Americano, made with Luxardo Bitter Bianco, Dolin Blanc Vermouth, Lemon Verbena and club soda.
"We are excited to welcome guests back to Waldorf Astoria New York and continue our legacy as a place where both New Yorkers and travelers make lifelong memories — many of them with a drink in hand,” said Luigi Romaniello, managing director, Waldorf Astoria New York. “Working alongside Jeff Bell, we’ve aligned ourselves with a team that embodies the vibrant energy and spirit of New York and the next chapter of the hotel, where entertainment and connection come together in perfect harmony."
Waldorf Astoria New York is located at 301 Park Avenue New York, New York 10022 and is expected to reopen in spring 2025. To make a reservation at Waldorf Astoria New York, please visit the hotel’s website. Follow along on Instagram at @waldorfnyc and on Facebook at @TheWaldorf.
Read more about Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts at stories.hilton.com.
Media Contact
About Hilton
Hilton (NYSE: HLT) is a leading global hospitality company with a portfolio of 24 world-class brands comprising more than 8,300 properties and over 1.25 million rooms, in 138 countries and territories. Dedicated to fulfilling its founding vision to fill the earth with the light and warmth of hospitality, Hilton has welcomed over 3 billion guests in its more than 100-year history, was named the No.1 World's Best Workplace by Great Place to Work and Fortune and has been recognized as a global leader on the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices for seven consecutive years. Hilton has introduced industry-leading technology enhancements to improve the guest experience, including Digital Key Share, automated complimentary room upgrades and the ability to book confirmed connecting rooms. Through the award-winning guest loyalty program Hilton Honors, the more than 200 million Hilton Honors members who book directly with Hilton can earn Points for hotel stays and experiences money can't buy. With the free Hilton Honors app, guests can book their stay, select their room, check in, unlock their door with a Digital Key and check out, all from their smartphone. Visit stories.hilton.com for more information, and connect with Hilton on Facebook, X, LinkedIn, Instagram and YouTube.
About Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts
Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts is an award-winning portfolio of 34 iconic properties that create a unique sense of place with a relentless commitment to sincerely elegant service, one-of-a-kind experiences and culinary mastery in landmark destinations around the world. Inspired by their timeless environments, Waldorf Astoria hotels deliver an effortless experience seamlessly, creating a true sense of place for guests through stunning architecture, the famous Peacock Alley, refined art collections, Michelin-starred dining and elevated in-room amenities. In addition to the brand’s world-class hotel offerings, Waldorf Astoria boasts a global residential portfolio that provides the comfort of a private home combined with unsurpassed amenities and high-touch service. Waldorf Astoria is part of Hilton, a leading global hospitality company. Experience an unforgettable stay at Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts by booking at waldorfastoria.com or through the industry-leading Hilton Honors app. Hilton Honors members who book directly through preferred Hilton channels have access to instant benefits. Learn more about Waldorf Astoria Hotels & Resorts at stories.hilton.com/waldorfastoria, and follow the brand on X and Instagram.
About Waldorf Astoria New York
For nearly a century, Waldorf Astoria New York has been a fixture of New York City society, earning its place as a beacon of radiance in the cultural capital of the world. Following a meticulously and thoughtfully-crafted restoration effort led by renowned architects from Skidmore, Owings & Merrill and interior design by Pierre-Yves Rochon, the property will retain the scale and beauty of the original Art Deco architecture reimagined with fresh contemporary furnishings that pay homage to the original Waldorf Astoria New York. The 375-room hotel will feature some of Manhattan’s largest rooms and suites that will embody the spirit of New York. Above the hotel will sit 375 private residences, ranging from studios to four bedrooms, with interiors designed by Jean-Louis Deniot. Residents will have access to 50,000 square feet of exclusive amenities and an art collection curated by Swiss collector and auctioneer Simon de Pury. Hotel guests, residents, and visitors will have access to a holistic wellness program, including a spa spanning over 30,000 square feet and a state-of-the-art fitness center, unmatched culinary offerings with Lex Yard, a standout signature restaurant helmed by acclaimed Chef Michael Anthony, and 43,000 square feet of modernized event space including a striking new opera-inspired Grand Ballroom set to be the crown jewel of New York City’s entertainment scene. Visit waldorfastorianewyork.com for more information or follow the hotel on Instagram at @waldorfnyc and on Facebook at @TheWaldorf.