Sunday, July 28, 2013

Now, a really exclusive club-- Macanudo on the Upper East Side

This should satisfy a lot of people looking for more glamor but they fact they still somehow have a smoking section means there is also a kind of OTHER old time exclusive atmosphere that will really turn some people off!

Let us go to Yelp again--HA! Some of the complainants get pretty sarcastic here, but it is mostly rave type responses...I guess you don't even enter a place like this if you are a certain kind of person 


Club Macanudo

4.0 star rating
64 reviews Rating Details
26 E 63rd St
(between Madison Ave & Park Ave)
New York, NY 10021
Neighborhood: Upper East Side
(212) 752-8200
Nearest Transit Station:
Lexington Av/63 St (F)
5 Av/59 St (N, Q, R)
59 St (4, 5, 6, 6X)
Hours:
Mon-Tue 12 pm - 1 am
Wed-Fri 12 pm - 2 am
Sat 12 pm - 10 pm
Parking:
Street
Accepts Credit Cards:
Yes
Price Range:
$$$
Good for Groups:
Yes
Outdoor Seating:
No
Music:
Live
Best Nights:
Wed, Thu, Fri
Happy Hour:
No
Alcohol:
Full Bar
Smoking:
Yes
Coat Check:
Yes
Noise Level:
Quiet
Good For Dancing:
No
Ambience:
Upscale
Has TV:
Yes
Wheelchair Accessible:
Yes

Review Highlights   What's this?

  • "Huge cigar selction, great drinks and surpisingly good food." In 32 reviews
  • "Drinks selections, including single malt scotch are excellent." In 13 reviews
  • "Whether you smoke or not, it is a great place to kick back and relax..." In 22 reviews
Rating Distribution | Trend
  • A Yelpy Insight: 40-somethings think this is a nifty spot. See more places they like.
Sort by: Yelp Sort | Date | Rating | Useful | Funny | Cool | Total Votes | Friends' | Elites'

64 reviews in English

  • Review from

    5/22/2013
    I love this place.  Yes the drinks and cigars are expensive, but it is worth it to sit in such a nice setting, watch some TV, have a beer and smoke a cigar indoors in an extremely well ventilated room in a comfortable chair!

    If you are a cigar smoker this is a must stop for at least 1 cigar and a beer.
  • Review from

    4/19/2013 1 check-in here
    This is my first time at a Cigar Bar and it was a pretty decent experience.  Sure its pricey, but that adds to the exclusiveness.  We had no reservations but the hostess was able to accomodate our party and gave us the most desirable location of what was available.  My friend checked in her jacket and I, my umbrella (they wrapped my umbrella in plastic, is that normal?).

    We ordered some scotch and asked for cigar recommendations, as a couple of us were beginners.  We also ordred some snacks (fruit and cheese and a turkey club to share amongst 4).  The sandwich was ok, nothing special, but the treatment was second to none.  They kept checking up on us and made sure we were ok.  The crowd?  Obviously you wouldn't come here to pick up women, its more of a  place to unwind, smoke a cigar and talk amongst friends.

    Can't wait to get more familiar with cigars!
  • Review from

    • 14 friends
    • 61 reviews
    3/22/2013 1 check-in here
    This cigar bar is the only place in the city that you can get a meal and a smoke. That's not a big deal for me but I know for regular smokers, this is a big deal. They're cigar list is enormous and to be honest, a little too much. Prices are typical cigar bar prices.

    But the difference here is the crowd. That is to say if you've ever been to Hudson Bar and Books where it's kind of hipster in terms of cigar bars, this place is the exact opposite. There are a lot of high rollers and there is a good deal of white hair among the patrons. But mixed in with the white-haired money men, there are some younger people that seem to congregate near the bar, presumably to watch the Miami Heat continue their winning streak on the projection screen. The point is if you go here, probably don't wear jeans. In fact, throw on some cuff links and you'll fit right in, regardless of age.
  • Review from

    6/20/2013
    Pros:  Great place to hang out and smoke cigars in a refined environment.  I'm not much of a smoker, but if I feel the urge to smoke every now and then, this is my favorite place.

    Cons:  I made the mistake once of wearing shoes that did not fit their dress code.  The staff claimed that my shoes were sneakers but they were actually pricey casual shoes from Hogan.  I thought they would fit the environment but I was apparently wrong.   I was therefore turned away and had to meet my friends later.
  • Review from

    • 23 friends
    • 53 reviews
    1/28/2013
    Aside from the fact that several men assumed I was a hooker while I waited for my male friend to arrive, this place is lovely!

    Who am I kidding, I LOVED that men thought I could possible be a hooker!
  • Review from

    4/23/2013 1 check-in here
    Pretty cigar bar with many rooms. Almost felt like we went back in time to another age when we entered. The hostesses were super friendly and even without a reservation we got a great loungey area in the back. The ventilation is a bit stuffy and my clothes reeked when I left, but what else do you expect when you are in a cigar bar. Prices are steep but that is also to be expected. I would rate this place second to Carnegie Club in ambiance, but for a more lively crowd, this is the place to be.
  • Review from

    • 40 friends
    • 35 reviews
    11/26/2012
    I've been having fun times at this place for years - Until this Saturday.  I really didnt wan't to get involved in the shopping bullshit that the ladies were involved in so I popped over for a drink.  I had on Jeans, Grateful Dead tie-dye, Sambas - crappy free jacket from ING from the 2009 Marathon.  I love their Amber beer so ordered one - and a Basil Hayden.  It's 3pm on a Saturday - Madison Ave. was bustling - only 2 other poeple in the place.  Of course it's open to the Public you assholes - most of your client members are near dead or dying or don't come out in the cold.  So sure I knew they might not serve me because of my dress but low and behold - they do.

    My GF's friend joins me for a drink about 20 mins later - I re-order same order.  No issues.

    Then my GF comes in the door - and the bartender - who went missing for 20 minutes - I had to track the girl down to get another drink says to my GF - "sorry mam, we have a dress code, you cannot wear those sneakers in here.  Here is a bucket of dirty old man slippers for you to wear. "

    Thank god my GF needed the drink - but then we got the fuck outta dodge.

    Moral of the story - Look I live on the UES.  If you want to have a very overpriced daytime drink while shopping dont come here.  If you are a blowhard with some loot - do.

    Otherwise - walk a wee bit more and go to Donohuhes on 64 and Lex.  One of the best bars in NYC - sure they don't have $12 cigars marked up to $40, and yes they dont have old horny men with high priced fake-titted hookers falling over them- but they do serve a stiff drink in a nice atmosphere.

    And you can wear sneakers - and yes - THEY ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC AS WELL!

    Club Macanudo is a perfect name for this place - ahh to be the namesake one of the worst cigars on the planet - I mean seriously - why not call it Club Backwoods, or Club Te-Amo - but that would be giving Te-Amo a bad name.
  • Review from

    • 11 friends
    • 56 reviews
    3/9/2013 1 photo 1 check-in here
    Some people might be turned off by the price, but Club Macanudo isn't a place for just anyone to walk in. It's meant for people who want to dwell in an aristocratic atmosphere and enjoy a fine cigar paired with a robust scotch.
    I am not a member of high society, so, walking in with my red wing boots, gray jeans, and navy blue button-up shirt, I thought I would be turned away. However, I was given a nice area to myself to enjoy a cigar.
    This made me think twice about my assumption that it was only for the highest members of society. They won't let you stroll in with some dad jeans and k-swiss' on, but clearly, they do consider your appearance upon arrival. While I was in there, someone was turned away because his attire was considered to be much too casual.
    Either way, the service was attentive and kind, and I was able to sit back for 2 hours or so to enjoy my cigar and read a book for a little while without being rushed out. The bill was a little high, but it was very worth it.
    A great stop for any gentleman or woman looking for a place to relax and bask in the glory of a cigar.
  • Review from

    • 8 friends
    • 124 reviews
    3/29/2013
    Great place to kickback and unwind with friends.  Top-notch libations, music, and tobacco / liquor menu.  Happy people with responsible leisures.  Ambiance is best suited for relaxful conversation and new memories.
  • Review from

    • 34 friends
    • 213 reviews
    3/9/2013 1 check-in here
    Nice place nice bar menu
  • Review from

    4/1/2013
    Tired bar, pathetic service.  I arrived after my two buddies were finishing burgers.  I literally sat there looking around for 15 minutes before our space cadet waitress had to be hailed.  When I asked her about the wine on the list, none of which I recognized, she told me they had a chardonnay.  Gee thanks. She seemed equally baffled when I asked about cigars.  They had more service staff than customers, so why did I take 10 minutes to bring a cigar?

    In summary, this place is stuffy and over-priced.  The decor is old and the big projection tv stinks.  Don't waste your time here...unless you're a rich old dude trying to impress your high priced hooker.

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