Just another pretty face

The Cabanas at the Maritime Hotel
Meatpacking District
363 West 16th Street (at 9th Avenue)
New York, NY 10011
212-243-3888

If you manage to avoid the door and guest list drama and make it into The Cabanas, expect to be initially seduced by the beautiful open-air atmosphere. And then like most seductions, be prepared to be let down as you continue to explore beneath the surface. The "roof-top bar" title that The Cabanas carries is only partially true, the hotel towers still surround the bar area on every side. And don't expect any actual cabanas, but rather a 3/4 roof-esque cover. The clientele at The "Cabanas" think they're too cool for school and refuse to socialize, when in reality most of them are just glorified B&T in skanky metallic dresses. The drink prices are high which is to be expected, but they don't even seem to carry any selections in the moderately priced range (a $22 glass of Veuve is their cheapest and I think only champagne option...what ever happened to good ole Prosecco?). Don't even get me started on the bathroom lines. In a 5000+ square foot bar, I would think one could expect more than two stalls in the women's room. They don't let massive crowds in so I suppose claustrophobia isn't an issue, but with mediocre music and lame people The Cabanas is simply another pretty face with no personality or life once you get to know it.
Rating: 2 stars