Fernando's Hideaway NYC

A Night at Fernando’s Hideaway: Truffle Fries, Cocktails, and Downtown Vibes

If you're looking for your next go-to downtown NYC spot, Fernando’s Hideaway might be on your radar. It's tucked away, upstairs at Bartley Dunne's, with that perfect "if you know, you know" vibe. It's a place that promises moody lighting, drinks, and a crowd that's equal parts effortlessly cool and low-key glamorous. I went to check it out — and here’s how it went.

Taken on IPHONE

The Vibe

Walking into Bartley Dunne's your greeted with a traditional looking NYC bar. However, when you head upstairs it feels like stepping into a scene from HBO's Sex and the City, exactly what any girl would want. With moody, dim lighting, tons of seats, and the perfect playlist playing overhead, it leans into that girly, slightly nostalgic downtown vibe without trying too hard. The crowd was a mix of stylish twenty-somethings, but to be fair there was only a few people in their when I went. In my opinion, it was perfect for sitting down and catching up with a friend without a loud, busy crowd. Think lit up signs, crafted drinks, and a touch of mystery. A bonus was the lounge area, which sadly I didn't explore but it looked very comfortable. My favorite aspect of the place had to be the photobooth, which was only $6 for two photo strips -- and if you know anything about NYC, you know that that is a STEAL! It's very much the kind of place you’d want to accidentally spend three hours in without realizing it.

Taken on IPHONE

Taken on IPHONE

Of course, I had to try a few cocktails. First up was the Aperol Spritz (my favorite drink anywhere), which hit exactly the way you'd want it to — crisp, sweet, perfectly balanced, and not over-iced (thankfully). It was refreshing without feeling watered down, and honestly, it's a pretty safe bet here if you want something classic and crowd-pleasing.

The Cosmopolitan, however, was a different story. I was hoping for something a little sweet and vibrant — Sex and the City nostalgia, naturally — but it ended up being seriously bitter. Not in a cool, nonchalant way either; it just felt a little off-balance, and I've had great cosmos elsewhere so I knew it wasn't just the drink. Maybe an off night, but still would not get again.

Taken on IPHONE

Taken on IPHONE 

The Truffle Fries

First thing’s first: if you go to Fernando’s and don’t order the truffle fries, you're doing it wrong. They're perfectly crispy and generously coated with truffle without being overwhelming. They were the perfect snack to have with a few drinks, not too heavy. We definitely left no crumbs there. 

Rating: 9/10 — I’d come back just for these.

Of course, naturally, we had to take an intermission to take some seriously fabulous pictures at this place. I've included a few. All pictures were taken on a Canon IXUS 285 HS or the Kodak EasyShare Z760 (2005). 

Canon IXUS HS

KODAK EASYSHARE Z760

Canon IXUS HS