Tillman’s Bar & Lounge
165 W. 26th St.; (212) 627-832
It’s 1970s Harlem in the Flatiron District where this upscale lounge combines the popularity of classic cocktail spots like Milk & Honey with a soulful flavor generally reserved for 125th Street. Tunes played include Little Stevie, The Godfather of Soul and Lady Day. Here’s your VIP tour of Tillman’s.
When Tillman’s hosted an April “SNL” after-party just weeks after opening, Amy Poehler and Kenan Thompson camped out here.
When the stage area in back isn’t being used for Monday night jazz showcases, these tables are set up as centerpieces for a 15-person private party area heated by a gas fireplace.
Rihanna and pals belted out some Al Green songs from this table. Last Monday night, Diddy hung out here, in the front left corner of the room, before turning himself in on assault charges stemming from a weekend party. With him was Jay Z, who not even two weeks earlier swung by with two pals who helped down nine grilled cheese sandwiches ($8), a Tillman’s favorite.
Tucked into the barroom area/front room just past the building’s entrance is where Scarlett Johansson and Wilmer Valderrama also noshed on grilled cheese sandwiches. The bar/snack menu mostly features sandwiches and small plates.
Wyclef Jean hangs here and orders the French onion soup ($12).
Offering perfect site lines from a semicircular corner booth, this table is where owner Lesly Bernard – former co-owner of Clementine and Taj, and partner in Pravda – holds court. Bernard recently spent three hours showing off his music player to Babyface. When Q-Tip isn’t in the DJ booth he also seats his tribe here.