lounge area with a firepit and wooden accents on the wall

Rare SpiritsIn Manhattan’s Most Refined Setting

A Gilded AgeOasis For Connoisseurs

Featuring an exclusive collection of extremely rare spirits, Rarities pays homage to the spirit of Henry Villard. An intimate, invitation-only hideaway discreetly hidden within The Palace, Rarities conjures the gracious entertaining style of the 19th century railroad tycoon, whose network of contemporaries regularly visited his palatial Madison Avenue home and were welcomed with warm hospitality and good conversation.

Today, New York City’s elite entertain associates and friends in much the same way, enjoying rare and pre-prohibition spirits, exceptional Champagnes, and a connoisseur’s wine cellar in what Condé Nast Traveler editors have dubbed “the world’s most exclusive hotel bar.”

Hours of Operation

Monday - Friday

5:00 pm - 11:00 pm

What Sets Rarities Apart

Rich History

Rarities celebrates the legacy of railroad tycoon Henry Villard, who commissioned the Villard Houses in the late 19th century.

What Sets Rarities Apart

Curated Experiences

On occasion, Rarities hosts curated exclusive experiences with celebrated winemakers and master distillers.

What Sets Rarities Apart

Flights of Fancy

Savor a flight of single malt whiskeys curated by connoisseurs who know the subtle difference of a sherry-seasoned European oak cask.

What Sets Rarities Apart

Justin Lorenz

An expert in his field, Justin Lorenz curates our singular collection, regularly scouring the world for the rarest and most unique wines and spirits.

View Bio

Justin Lorenz

Justin Lorenz found himself on a trip to the Piemonte region of Italy when he realized his passion and true calling for wine. Perhaps it was the timing of the trip during the famed White Truffle Fair as well as the Barbaresco Wine Festival that roped him in. Immediately upon his return home, he started studying with the American Sommelier Association and took on the sommelier role with Chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten’s restaurant group in NYC.

Lorenz spent eight years with the Jean-Georges organization, serving as Sommelier for V and Spice Market, as well as for the three-star Michelin, four-star New York Times, Jean-Georges Restaurant. He left to spearhead the wine program at Charlie Palmer’s award-winning Aureole for the next seven years. Aureole’s wine list had always been one of the top programs in the country and Justin enjoyed fortifying and enhancing that list, bringing it to a new level.

Arriving at The Palace in 2013, Justin has taken command of a Grand Award winning wine cellar of over 3,000 selections. He has assembled one of the premier rare spirits collections in the country in the form of Rarities, featuring exceptional Champagnes, pre-prohibition spirits, and a connoisseur’s wine cellar.

A long-time recipient of the Wine Spectator’s Best of Award of Excellence, Lorenz is recognized as an expert in his field and is a regular sommelier for the James Beard Foundation, Wine Spectator, La Paulee, Fete du Champagne and Burdigala. He has sold and served some of the finest wines in the world. He continues to augment his oenology on regular trips to far-reaching wine regions including Bordeaux, Burgundy, Spain, Australia, New Zealand, California and Oregon. And while he still has a long list of wine regions to visit on his check list, he couldn’t be more thankful that he took that trip to Northern Italy so many years ago.