Royal Highness

A legendary lounge in Manhattan is celebrated for both its artwork and cocktails

- STORY BY TERRY ZARIKIAN

THE ST. REGIS' King Cole Bar is famously named after Maxfield Parrish's impressive mural that graces one of its walls. Old King Cole was commissioned by John Jacob Astor IV in 1906 for another of his hotels but was moved to its most prestigious address in 1932. The artwork, which cheekily features Astor himself as the fictional monarch, conceals a humorous secret. We won't reveal it here, but ask your bartender and you'll have a fun laugh.