The lobby at Duane Street Hotel in NYC’s Tribeca neighborhood has all the trappings of exclusivity - a narrow space dappled with earthy, yet modern, decor, a breakout space for small meetings, and a sultry color palette of neutrals. During the daytime, the lobby’s floor-to-ceiling windows fill every corner with warmth; during the evening, it’s strictly candlelight. Despite a drastic change in mood, this transition is not at all jarring - thanks in part to the lobby-level bar.

This gradient from morning to night time ambiance is perhaps the best metaphor for Duane Street’s bar offerings. The menu ranges from high-end cocktails to IPAs from breweries just a stone’s throw away. Though the spectrum in the menu might feel as though the bar is trying to please everyone, it feels more like an invitation to explore.