You neednt be traveling on your companys expense account to enjoy the luxuries of the posh W Hotel. Inside is the W Bar, a intimate lounge with dim lighting and velvet drapes, where hotel visitors (predominantly businessmen and silver foxes) and local drinkers gather in equal number. The regular daily happy hour (4-7 p.m. & 10 p.m.-12 a.m.) is slightly on the expensive side, but you certainly get your moneys worthespecially on Wednesdays, when happy hour runs all day. Within moments of your arrival, a server will bring out a bowl of complimentary wasabi peas for you to nosh on while you peruse the menu. Signature cocktails ($8) are fanciful concoctions made with fresh squeezed fruit juices and housemade acai and hibiscus-infused syrups. Satiating appetizers ($6) include smoked eggplant salad and chicken kebobs with almond yogurt. If you want 25-cent wings, this isnt the place for you. But you will have a lovely evening and possibly score a number from a George Clooney lookalike. Better still, hell be staying just upstairs. ERIKA HOBART
Wed., Sept. 28, noon-2 a.m., 2011
