Bar of the Week: Socialista

When recently anointed nightlife impresario Armin Amiri (a former doorman at Bungalow 8) arrived in New York 20 years ago, so the story goes, he was dropped off at the Riverview Hotel, a flophouse on the West Side Highway that still charges $55 a night. In true capitalista style, Amiri now owns a bi-level space right in the hotel. Open since May, Amiri’s gorgeous lounge is decked in the style of 1940s: Havana spinning fans, wooden shutters, mahogany bar and no shortage of rum. A peasant café in the lower level serves Spanish-influenced cuisine to all comers, and upstairs, ace bartender Cyrus Kehyari has created a fresh, simple cocktail list. We recommend the Hemingway (rum, lime, sugar, grapefruit and maraschino, with slivers of ice in a martini glass, $16). Like at Bungalow, the clientele is finely curated: High-ponytailed fashion waifs who might be Gossip Girl extras and bombshell Padma Lakshmi look-alikes get preferential treatment. We may not be entirely convinced that Cuba was this fun back in the 1940s, but we’ll dance anyway. 505 West St., (212) 929-4303.

Photo from eater.com