Podcast Summary: "A Musical Journey Through One of New York's Most Storied Rooms"

Podcast: takin' a walk
Host: Buzz Knight
Date: November 21, 2025
Subject: Bemelmans Bar at the Carlyle Hotel, Manhattan

Overview

This episode of "takin' a walk" is a love letter to Bemelmans Bar, the iconic lounge within the Carlyle Hotel on Manhattan’s Upper East Side. Host Buzz Knight explores the timeless allure of Bemelmans through conversations with its general manager, musicians, longtime patrons, and performers. The discussion delves into the bar's rich legacy, its status as a cultural landmark, and the magical atmosphere that enchants everyone from celebrities to neighborhood regulars.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Bemelmans Bar’s Unique Magic and Legacy

• Setting the Scene
  • Buzz describes Bemelmans as a place “where time doesn't march forward, it saunters elegantly... every corner whispers a story” (00:00).
• Hospitality & Philosophy
  • Demetrios Michalopoulos, General Manager (since 2021), emphasizes how Bemelmans has shaped him:

    "Bemelmans has a way of teaching you patience and elegance and presence... hospitality isn't just about serving drinks, it's about creating a memory, a sense of belonging." (05:30)

  • The staff strives for perfection for celebrities, regulars, and international travelers alike.
• Consistency & Standards
  • The secret, says Demetrios, is “discipline combined with passion... Every cocktail feels like a performance. We balance traditional with innovation, making sure drinks remain timeless while still finding ways to surprise guests." (06:30)

2. Stories from Behind the Bar

• Celebrity Encounters Mingle with Regulars
  • Demetrios recounts a favorite moment: a famous actor and a regular “ended up talking for hours, completely immersed in the magic of the room, forgetting who they were outside.” (07:49)

    “That’s the spirit of Bemelmans... you’re part of the same story.” (08:39)

3. The Murals: Bemelmans’ Heartbeat

• The murals by Ludwig Bemelmans are described as “more than decoration. They are our heartbeat, our identity... It sets the tone. You are not just in a bar, you are in a living piece of art.” (09:27)

4. First Impressions & Emotional Impact

• Demetrios describes his first real moment inside Bemelmans:

  “It was like I was walking into a different world... I literally got hooked with this place. And I said, wow, this place is magical.” (10:20)

• For staff and guests alike, the bar acts as a mood-transformer:

  “The moment I step into Bemelmans... I start performing. So I try to empty my brain and just focus... At Bemelmans, I feel that joy from the guest, and that transfers to me... It's like therapy, unofficial therapy. That's what I believe." (12:13)

5. The Music: Heart of the Atmosphere

• Earl Rose, Resident Pianist:
  • On why the Great American Songbook matters:

    “These songs are timeless. Each generation... will probably do an album or pay tribute to some of these songwriters, because these songwriters... are classic.” (14:31)

  • "It just always feels good to know that live music is touching people and they respond to classic American Songbook... Got to do your best all the time.” (15:09)
• Hamilton Leithauser, Musician and Patron:
  • Recalls first childhood visit, seeing celebrities like Ross Perot (34:14); describes “another world, being in there... It’s surreal. It’s like I’m living in a spaceship... cozy and dark.” (34:39)
  • On atmosphere:

    “Frescoes all the way around... drawn by Ludwig Bemelmans, who also drew Madeline... Beautiful... a big grand piano right in the middle where a jazz band performs... dimly lit tables... insanely good drinks.” (35:52)

6. The Regular’s Perspective

• Charlie Kaplan, Native New Yorker and Lawyer:
  • Shares how Bemelmans became his after-work sanctuary:

    “It's been part of the fabric of the city my entire life... a nice crowd of people, very eclectic. The staff... were just terrific.” (21:07)

  • On ambiance:

    “It’s just pleasant... the music... a rotating group of performers, trios, quartets, with a pianist... just terrific. A real ambiance. You can see why it’s become a unique New York experience.” (23:31)

• Guarantees mood improvement:

  “When you go to Bemelmans, you’re guaranteed to leave in a good mood.” (23:09)

7. Connections & Celebrity Encounters

• Charlie recalls meeting comedian David Steinberg and Ben Gazzara’s widow, who shared intimate stories—testimony to Bemelmans as a hub not just for stars, but for serendipitous, meaningful encounters. (25:05–30:09)

8. Changing Demographics and Popularity Surge

• Both Hamilton and Charlie note a recent boom in younger crowds and lines out the door:

  “In the last five years, maybe after Covid... a line of people, young people much younger than me... through the tearoom, all the way on the hall, out onto Madison Avenue, waiting patiently..."
  "I don't know why it's suddenly so much more popular. I only think it's because I started playing there." (37:50, humorously)

• Charlie attributes the surge to “the Internet and social media... younger people follow have gone there and have sometimes played there or can be seen there." (30:56)

9. The Atmosphere and Emotional Resonance

• Everyone agrees on Bemelmans’s restorative effect:

  “If you’re in a bad mood... hang out... the good mood suddenly replaces the bad mood.” (36:48)

  • Rita Wilson adds her perspective:

    “Music in general puts you in a fantastic mood... The audience is as much a part of the show as the performer is.” (39:26–41:09)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• Buzz Knight:
  "There are places in this city, New York City, hidden like jewels, where time doesn't march forward, it saunters elegantly..." (00:00)

• Demetrios Michalopoulos:
  “Hospitality isn't just about serving drinks, it's about creating a memory, a sense of belonging.” (05:30)
  “No matter who you are, when you visit here with a drink in hand, you’re part of the same story.” (08:39)
  "The murals are more than decoration. They are our heartbeat, our identity." (09:27)

• Earl Rose:
  “These songs are timeless… Audiences know it, too.” (14:31)
  “Got to do your best all the time.” (15:08)

• Charlie Kaplan:
  “It’s been part of the fabric of the city my entire life.” (21:07)
  “You meet all kinds of different people. People in business, people in the arts... It's really a terrific place." (29:50)

• Hamilton Leithauser:
  “It’s like I’m living in a spaceship... cozy and dark.” (34:39)
  On favorites: "I was requesting some Fats Waller songs... Very New York. Old New York song. Great melodies." (37:14)

• Rita Wilson:
  "Music... will transport you to a better state of mind." (39:26)
  "The audience is as much a part of the show as the performer is." (41:09)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• [00:00] – Buzz Knight’s atmospheric introduction to Bemelmans
• [05:01] – Demetrios Michalopoulos on hospitality philosophy
• [07:49] – Celebrity and regular interactions at the bar
• [09:27] – The role of Bemelmans murals
• [12:13] – The bar as emotional therapy
• [14:31] – Earl Rose on live music and Bemelmans’s musical history
• [19:43] – Charlie Kaplan’s story as a longtime customer
• [21:07] – On Bemelmans’s place in New York City’s fabric
• [25:05] – Celebrity encounters: David Steinberg and Ben Gazzara’s widow
• [30:56] – The post-pandemic surge in popularity
• [33:43] – Hamilton Leithauser’s first memory and performance reflections
• [39:26] – Rita Wilson on the atmospheric effect of music and history

Tone and Language

The episode is warm, nostalgic, and affectionate—woven with personal memories, reverence for tradition, and the convivial spirit of Bemelmans. The speakers’ perspectives are intimate and candid, inviting listeners to experience the historic bar’s magic even if they’ve never set foot inside.

Summary

This episode of "takin' a walk" offers a richly textured portrait of Bemelmans Bar, capturing its mystique through firsthand stories and musical memories. The result is a compelling testament to why Bemelmans remains a beloved fixture and a must-visit destination, renowned for its artistry, music, and the sense of connection it fosters—an unofficial therapy for all who enter.