In the dining room of Monkey Bar, the Jazz Age is a living presence. A wraparound mural by the artist Ed Sorel gathers icons of the era—Dorothy Parker, Frank Sinatra, Langston Hughes, and dozens more—who defined New York City’s cultural landscape and, in many cases, warmed these same seats. This artwork is not just decoration; it is the animating spirit of a place that feels less like a theme and more like a direct inheritance. Since its beginning in 1936, this establishment has been a fixture of Midtown, a timeless room steeped in the city’s history. The atmosphere is old-world New York, with dim lighting, a palette of reds, and polished wood that seems to hold generations of conversation. While the setting is rooted in the past, the energy is entirely of the moment. The room buzzes with a crowd of New Yorkers drawn to one of the city’s essential scenes. The restaurant balances this classic glamour with a bill of fare offering elevated American comfort. The kitchen, under the same direction as some of the city’s most sought-after steak-centric restaurants, shows its pedigree in its treatment of classics. The house has become known for a stunning double cheeseburger and a perfectly rendered prime rib French dip. Beyond the headliners, the cooking displays a commitment to perfecting the familiar. Dishes that have created a following include an impeccable version of king crab rangoon, crafted with high-quality ingredients and a light wonton wrapper. It is this juxtaposition of a grand, historic New York setting with precise, destination-worthy food that defines the Monkey Bar. It offers an immersion into the city’s past while serving some of its most compelling contemporary dishes.