Late Night Relaxation at Ava Lounge

Dream New York, a boutique hotel, boasts one of the nicer penthouse lounges found in New York City.  With southern and western views that are quite aesthetically pleasing despite being able to see Times Square, Ava Lounge provides for a nice time with good friends.

The female bartenders know how to mix a drink and make you forget the higher than preferred price of it by utilizing their "charm".  A friend's order of a vodka tonic prompted one bartender to lean in closer offering more than a glimpse of cleavage, while my order of water caused the bartender to not only cease her expose, but to provide me with a partial smile that was indicative of her knowing I would not be leaving a tip for tap water.

Main area of Ava Lounge

After leaving the main section of the lounge for a table at the "library area", we were attended to by a rather gracious and attractive waitress.  Of course, as one who no longer drinks alcohol, I decided to test out her reaction to my ordering a Shirley Temple.  The surprisingly unfazed waitress quickly asked if I would like the drink to be spiked, to which I informed her that were I to imbibe alcohol, my heart would most likely stop.  Her sympathy registered to the point that she not only comped my multiple Shirley Temples, but ignored my four friends and flirted quite profusely to the point where I almost laid out what most likely would occur between us: dating to engagement to marriage to alimony payments.

While the music the DJ spun was at times a bit too loud, it was typical lounge music and helped set the laid back and fun atmosphere that Ava Lounge aims to achieve.  The decor also aided to create the relaxed, but hip setting.

Final verdict: Ava Lounge is a great spot in midtown NYC for a fun time with friends.  While the coat check that one has to pay for to use is a negative, it does not detract from the actual enjoyment of the place.  Word of warning: Ava Lounge induced a conversation and multiple quotes of Brett Easton Ellis's classic book American Psycho.