The Sunken Lounge (TWA Hotel)
Perched in the iconic 1962 Eero Saarinen-designed TWA Flight Center at JFK Airport, The Sunken Lounge is both a nostalgia trip and a sleek cocktail escape. It occupies the hotel’s lobby / former waiting-area space where red upholstery, plush benches, original white penny tile flooring, the signature Chili Pepper Red carpet, and restored architectural details reign supreme. Through its restored large windows one can glimpse the “Connie” plane, one of the hotel’s standout historical installations, while a working split-flap departures board adds motion and mirage to the scene. The drink menu harks back to 1960s aviation glamour: classic cocktails with names like Vodka Is My Co-Pilot, Whiskey Charlie, Jet Fuel, alongside house inventions like Airplane Mode and Quickie Vacation. Cocktails are priced around US$19 each. There’s also a good selection of wines, beers, and non-alcoholic drinks, plus elevated bar fare: shareables, sliders, flatbreads and plates meant to linger over. Ambience is nostalgic but lively—walk-in friendly, with retro touches everywhere. The Sunken Lounge is open daily (with extended hours on weekends), and reservations are accepted, especially for larger parties. The hotel allows public access to its common areas, so even non-guests can drop in. It feels like you’re in a luxury airline lounge from the golden era—but with better cocktails and no flight boarding.
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