Discover The Campbell Apartment
Ah, Grand Central Terminal—the kind of place where New Yorkers rush for trains and tourists stop to gawk at the ceiling. But tucked away in its southwest corner lies a little secret that doesn’t involve public transport at all: The Campbell Apartment. Except… it's not really an apartment. And it’s not exactly a secret. But it is outrageously stylish, deeply historic, and just the kind of place that makes you feel like you’ve accidentally stepped into a Gatsby party.
If you’ve ever wanted to sip a cocktail while pretending you’re a 1920s tycoon, this is the place for you.
Speakeasies in New York
First, a quick side-note: speakeasies are kind of a big deal in New York City.
Once upon a Prohibition-era, speakeasies were hush-hush, password-protected dens where flapper fashion met jazz and bathtub gin. Today, the whole concept has been revived—with far better cocktails and way less risk of arrest. From bars hidden behind phone booths to basements lit only by candlelight, New York has embraced the art of the not-so-secret speakeasy.
The Campbell Apartment is one of the finest examples of this trend, with a bonus: it’s hiding in plain sight inside one of the busiest buildings in the city. While you don’t need a secret knock or password to get in, most people still walk by without ever knowing it’s there. And that’s part of the magic.
The Creator of The Campbell Apartment
The year is 1923—allow me to introduce John W. Campbell: financier, railroad board member, and all-around Jazz Age eccentric. Back in the Roaring Twenties, Campbell leased a cavernous 3,500-square-foot room from none other than the Vanderbilts (yes, those Vanderbilts), and decided to turn it into his personal office and reception hall.
Imagine wood-paneled walls, a 25-foot hand-painted ceiling, an enormous stone fireplace, and a leaded glass window the size of a small apartment. Then throw in a massive steel safe hidden within the fireplace, and a carpet so expensive it would make your eyes water (rumor has it, $300,000 back then—which is a casual $4 million today). Oh, and of course, a custom-built pipe organ and a grand piano. Because you simply must have both.
Campbell didn't use the place just for work, either. By day, it was all business—but by night, the whole setup transformed into a swanky private recital hall. Up to 60 of New York's social elite would gather for intimate concerts. All this was overseen by his butler, Stackhouse, who surely had one of the most unusual jobs in the city.
And Campbell? Legend says he liked to keep his trousers perfectly pressed, so he’d strip down to his underwear at his desk while his pants hung in a humidifier. He was 100 years ahead of us attending our 2020 pandemic zoom meetings wearing PJs from the waist down, that’s for sure.
The Forgotten Years
After Campbell passed away in 1957, his lavish office went from Gatsby to grungy real quick. The priceless rug vanished, the piano was long gone, and the space started a slow descent into obscurity. Over the next few decades, it served as a jail cell, a gun storage room for transit police, and even a signalman’s office. You can imagine the ghosts of those pipe organ recitals wailing in horror.
Water damage crept in. Paint peeled. The space, once a hub for music and martinis, became more like a sad time capsule of forgotten decadence.
The Revival of The Campbell Apartment: Hospitality Holdings to the Rescue
Enter Mark Grossich and his team at Hospitality Holdings, cocktail bar royalty in NYC. In 1999, they took one look at this dusty, forgotten gem and saw potential. Sure, it was mostly piles of sawdust and sorrow, but they weren’t afraid of a little restoration magic.
They poured $2.5 million into bringing The Campbell Apartment back to life. Walls were revived, ceilings restored, and that original steel safe—once tucked behind a false wall—was proudly placed in the fireplace like a historical centerpiece. The new bar was built in the same rich mahogany style as the original balcony, with a design nod to the old-world charm Campbell loved so much.
Suddenly, this forgotten room was the place to sip “cocktails from another era”—but only if you dressed the part. The revived Campbell Apartment enforced a strict dress code that turned heads: no sneakers, baseball caps, hoodies, or torn jeans allowed. If you weren’t dressed to impress, you weren’t getting in. And New Yorkers loved it.
A Lease War in Grand Central Station
For 17 years, Grossich and crew ran The Campbell Apartment with flair, serving up history-laced cocktails and serious old-school glamor. But in 2016, the fairytale hit a corporate snag. The lease, which Grossich had been renewing year by year, went up for grabs. The MTA, in all its budget-stretched wisdom, decided to go with the highest bidder.
Grossich offered to pay $800,000 a year for the next 10 years. But nightlife heavyweight the Gerber Group swooped in with a $1.1 million offer—and suddenly, it was game over for Hospitality Holdings.
Grossich tried to negotiate, even offering 2.5% above the top bid. But no dice. He sued. He pleaded. But in the end, he was given 30 days to pack up and leave the palace he helped revive.
The Campbell Apartment Reimagined
The latest revamp of The Campbell Apartment comes courtesy of Gerber Group, the hospitality gurus behind hotspots like Mr. Purple and 12 Stories. When they took over the lease in 2016, and reopened in mid-2017, eyebrows were raised. Would the space lose its vintage charm? Would the vibe become too modern?
Turns out, they nailed it.
Working with top-tier design firm Ingrao Inc., Gerber Group balanced preservation with innovation. Historic features like the fireplace, millwork, and stained-glass windows were meticulously maintained. New touches—lighting, furniture, even air-conditioning—were added without sacrificing the grandeur.
The result? It’s still Old New York, just with better drinks and lighting.
Inside the Campbell Apartment
Let’s talk about ambiance. The Campbell Apartment, now known simply as The Campbell, has been split into three unique areas, each one offering a distinct experience:
1. The Campbell Bar
This is the main room—where you’ll really feel the echo of 1920s New York. Picture rich leather banquettes in moody greens and blues, glowing quartzite accents, and brass finishes that glint in the low light. This is where the legacy of John W. Campbell lives on. Whether you’re meeting friends or trying to impress a date, it’s impossible not to feel fancy here.
2. The Campbell Palm Court
This lush indoor lounge is flanked by soaring palm trees and opens up into views of Grand Central itself. Think colonial hotel vibes with a side of New York cool. It’s breezy, chic, and perfect for people-watching while you sip your Negroni.
3. The Campbell Terrace
Once a humble taxi rank, now a stylish veranda. This open-air spot is all about casual sophistication. With a full bar and plenty of seating, it’s ideal for a relaxed lunch break or happy hour on a sunny afternoon.
Each area serves from the same drink menu, which leans heavily on the classics—martinis, Manhattans, and (somewhat divisive) old-fashioneds.
Tip: stick to the stirred, not the shaken. The martini? Excellent. The old-fashioned? Might be a bit sweet for purists.
What’s on the Menu?
Cocktails here lean classic with a twist. Think:
- Campbell Dirty Martini: Belvedere vodka with olive brine. Sophisticated, salty, satisfying.
- Penicillin: A smoky, zingy mix of Glenmorangie Scotch, lemon, and ginger. Doctor’s orders (probably).
- Midtown Cosmo: Because why shouldn’t Grand Central have a signature drink?
And don’t sleep on the snacks—caviar, pretzel bites, even warm cookies if you’re craving something sweet with your gin.
Lights, Camera, Cocktails! The Campbell in Pop Culture
You might have seen The Campbell before and not even realized it. It made a cameo in Gossip Girl—first in the Season Five finale “Return of the Ring,” and again in Season Six’s “Monstrous Ball.” Basically, if it’s good enough for Manhattan’s most dramatic elite, it’s good enough for us.
P.S. It also pops up in literature, like Nell Zink’s Doxology, for all my fellow bookworms out there.
Visiting The Campbell Apartment in NYC
Despite its glitz, The Campbell Apartment remains one of New York’s best-kept open secrets. You don’t need to know someone to get in. You don’t need a reservation (though it helps). And you certainly don’t need to be a financier to afford a drink here—though dressing like one might earn you bonus points.
It’s also worth noting that while many people stumble into The Campbell looking for a pre-train tipple, it’s not just a commuter’s bar. This is a destination. Whether you're exploring Midtown, finishing a CityDays scavenger hunt around Grand Central, or just craving a cocktail that comes with a side of history, The Campbell is a must.
How to Find The Campbell Apartment
Despite being tucked inside Grand Central Terminal—one of the busiest transport hubs in the country—The Campbell is surprisingly easy to miss if you’re not looking for it.
If you’re coming from the street, head to 15 Vanderbilt Avenue (off 43rd Street) and look for the plaque and canopy that reads “The Campbell Apartment.” Feeling fancy already, right?
If you're already inside Grand Central, just head up the marble staircase near Vanderbilt Avenue, stroll through the exit, and look to your left for The Campbell Terrace. Voilà.
Opening Times
- Open daily from 12pm
- Kitchen serves until midnight
- Live Jazz? Yes, please—Friday & Saturday at 9pm, Sunday at 6pm
Dress Code
Shorts are a no-no after 7pm. Otherwise, feel free to show up in anything from business casual to date-night chic.
Family Friendly?
Yes! Kids under 21 are welcome until 9:00 pm, as long as they’re with a parent or guardian.
Explore Beyond The Campbell Apartment with CityDays
Once you’ve soaked in the speakeasy vibes and finished your last sip of an Espresso Martini, why not keep the adventure going?
Here at CityDays, we create interactive scavenger hunts and treasure trails that let you discover NYC’s secrets. Whether you’re a lifelong New Yorker or a first-time visitor, our team-building challenges are a fun, quirky, and totally unique way to experience the city. Plus, they’re perfect for groups, coworkers, or your next date.
And it doesn’t stop in NYC. We run treasure hunts and team-building experiences in cities around the world. So whether you're in London, Paris, Sydney, or San Francisco, there's a CityDays adventure waiting for you.
Pro tip: Start your day with a CityDays hunt, wrap it up with drinks at The Campbell, and call it the most stylish scavenger day ever.
