Cultured cocktails in the city

Man - or for that matter, woman - can't live on culture alone. After a day of traipsing through the city's museums, you're looking to kick back with a cold one. These museums offer drinks and sustenance on a par with their collections, which makes them a terrific resource even if you haven't been near a painting in years.

1. NEUE GALERIE

WHAT Café Sabarsky's menu stretches from breakfast to dinner, spiked with a selection of German and Austrian wines and beers in the early evening (a glass of Champagne is $13.) This is a romantic place for a drink: wood-paneled walls, soaring ceilings and a grand piano. The Thursday night cabaret series starts Sept. 30; tickets ($110 for dinner and performance) go on sale Monday.

WHEN | WHERE 1048 Fifth Ave.; open Monday and Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Thursday through Sunday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.

INFO 212-628-6200, neuegalerie.org

2. METROPOLITAN MUSEUM

WHAT Looking for a place to relax with, say, an apple martini and a little classical music? The Balcony Bar, overlooking the Great Hall, is tucked away beneath an arched ceiling. House cocktails are $8-$12; on the menu, you'll find nibbles like Spanish tapas, artisanal cheeses and olives. The Met's roof bar serves light fare and drinks, all with a panoramic view of Manhattan - and this year's evolving Big Bambú sculpture - included in the price.

WHERE | WHEN 1000 Fifth Ave.; Balcony Bar open Friday and Saturday, 4 to 8:30 p.m. Rooftop Martini Bar open Friday and Saturday, 5:30 to 8 p.m.; Sunday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

INFO 212-535-7710, metmuseum.org

3. MUSEUM OF MODERN ART

WHAT Sleek, chic and, well, modern, the Bar Room at The Modern pulls in an eclectic mix of after-work drinkers, whether they're looking for a quick cocktail ($14) or a leisurely night of drinks and tasty small plates like foie gras with duck prosciutto; beer-braised pork belly; and wild-mushroom soup. There's also an international list of artisanal beers.

WHERE | WHEN 9 W. 53rd St.; open Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday, 11:30 a.m. to 9:30 p.m.; Monday through Thursday, 11:30 a.m. to 10:30 p.m.

INFO 212-333-1220, themodernnyc.com

4. MUSEUM OF ARTS AND DESIGN

WHAT Robert is the name of the restaurant tucked away on the museum's top floor. Take a seat in the glam lounge area and relax with a classic sidecar ($12); the view is sublime. Dinner service kicks in at 5:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday nights, there's live piano music.

WHERE | WHEN 2 Columbus Circle; open daily, 11:30 a.m. to midnight

INFO 212-299-7730, robertnyc.com

5. THE GUGGENHEIM

WHAT The Wright, the minimalist space at the refurbished Guggenheim, pays homage to Frank Lloyd Wright, who designed the building. The bar serves small plates and panini as well as classic cocktails and signature drinks like Limoncello mojitos and High Tais, made with pineapple and ginger (all cocktails $12).

WHERE | WHEN 1071 Fifth Ave.; open Friday and Saturday, 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Sunday to Wednesday, 11:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m.; Thursday, 5:30 to 11 p.m.

INFO 212-427-5690, www.thewrightrestaurant.com