Host Spotlight: Albert’s Bar, Midtown - Q&A with General Manager, Abby ✨

Leah sat down with Abby, Manager of NYC institution-in-the-making - Albert’s Bar, to talk corner seats, dirty martinis and remote working.

→ Read the full Q&A with manager Abby below.

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Leah: For anyone who hasn’t stumbled across you yet, what’s Albert’s all about?

Abby: Albert’s is our love letter to New York nightlife, with a bit of upstairs-downstairs drama. The ground floor is all velvet booths, moody lights, and perfect cocktails. But there’s a whole other world upstairs in the Gallery Bar - bright, calm, with big windows and a quieter energy. That’s where we host our fluxo crowd during the day. It’s kind of the best of both worlds.

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Leah: Was the second floor Gallery Bar always part of the plan?

Abby: It was, but we didn’t really know what for. We thought maybe private events, extra seating. But honestly, weekdays were pretty sleepy until the post work crowd showed up. Then we partnered with fluxo, and suddenly it clicked - this space was made for a slower, more intentional kind of buzz. The 11:30AM - 5:00PM window became our little daytime secret.

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Leah: Be honest - how do you feel about people pulling out laptops in your bar?

Abby: It’s not what you’d expect, right? But I actually love it. We didn’t want to be just another cocktail spot. We’ve always been about community. If that means people working upstairs with a coffee or spritz and decompressing downstairs later with friends, that’s a win. It’s still social - just in a quieter key.

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Leah: Any unexpected moments from your Workpass crowd?

Abby: Honestly, the vibe. You expect a mix of laptops and headphones, people on calls, but it’s warmer than that. People chat. They recommend places. A few regulars have introduced us to their teams. One person even booked their birthday here after discovering us during the workday. There’s a real sense of “Oh, I found something.” That’s cool to witness.

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Leah: What’s your own ideal setup when you sneak upstairs to get stuff done?

Abby: Big iced tea, corner seat, feet up (don’t tell the staff) and a playlist I should probably never make public. The upstairs light makes everything feel more doable, even my inbox…

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Leah: If Albert’s were a person, how would you describe them?

Abby: Ooh, dangerous question. They’d be effortlessly cool but genuinely welcoming. Someone who reads, throws great dinner parties and somehow knows your favorite drink before you’ve even asked. Basically, your aspirational New York friend.

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Leah: What would you say to another venue wondering if this kind of setup might work for them?

Abby: If you’ve got an unused corner, a good WiFi connection, and a few hours to spare during the week, it’s one hundred percent worth trying. You don’t need to turn your bar into a WeWork. You just need to open the door a little earlier and maybe meet some brilliant people you wouldn’t otherwise.

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Leah: And finally - favorite post-shift cocktail right now?

Abby: Easy. Dirty martini with a twist. Classic, a little salty, and doesn’t mess around. Kind of like this place.

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Albert’s Bar is open to fluxo members Monday - Friday, 11:30AM - 5:00PM

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