Because I work from home (right now I'm watching my shih tzu sleep, worn out from a draining walk in the rain...), I tend to have a lot of meetings where "coffee" or "drinks" are invovled. Now, I don't drink coffee (I'm a tea girl) and I'm kind of cooked after two glasses of champagne (I'm also a very little girl!). So for me, it's always all about the ambiance of a place...and whether I think I'll feel comfortable enough to have a great meeting. I also live in Tribeca, so most of my world is below Houston Street (not even 14th!). So if I'm going to head all the way uptown to meet someone, it better be at a fun, fabulous, and maybe a little bit "fancy" of a spot...
So what are some of my favorite haunts? Ones that aren't too busy, that will let you linger for two hours over two glasses of iced tea, and that have food available in case your meeting runs long (and you've lingered over a few martinis!). Often that means hotel lobby bars, but certain types of restaurants also do the trick. Downtown by me, the Tribeca Grand Hotel is my favorite, hands down. In fact, I have a meeting there tomorrow evening. A little further uptown in Soho? Like it's sister hotel in Tribeca, the Soho Grand Hotel provides the same level of sophistication and that European, stay-as-long-as-you-like feeling (and they are both dog friendly!).
If you're going to be in Chelsea, I have always liked The Park (its "scene" long over, the multiple choices of atmosphere are great for meeting new clients). Want to be super casual? The Chelsea Market and all its quirky little spots is a quick walk from two popular spots for events - The Altman Building and Metropolitan Pavilion.
Further uptown? During Fashion Week I stopped at the Bryant Park Hotel and The Morgan's Hotel much too often...! But seriously, both have fantastic lounges central to so much happening in midtown. And if you find yourself even further uptown on the west side of the city, the Lobby Lounge (really on the 35th floor) of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel is just adjacent to Columbus Circle. On the east side? Why not suggest something a little different and hold court in the upstairs lounge at famed Vietnamese restaurant Le Colonial? You 
can't beat the Saigon-meets-Paris feeling and the little appetizers are phenomenal.
No matter what part of the city you're in, please stop meeting everyone at Starbucks. Coffee is probably more expensive there than at a fab hotel bar, and no one is impressed with having to fight for a table and use those less-than-appealing restrooms. However, if you are going somewhere on the swankier side, don't forget to call and reserve a table because having to wait can kill a deal faster than you can say "great to meet you"...
~ Alison
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