By James Oliver Cury
Hotel bars have a few things going for them: They have an instant crowd thanks to the influx of travelers, they can piggyback on the reputation of a famous proprietor (like Ian Schrager and André Balazs), and they can work in almost any context -- whether it's a swimming pool, a rooftop or an old windowless room. Finding America's 10 best hotel bars, however, is tough because it depends on what you're looking for: a hot date, a good drink, a dancefloor, a view, or a scene? We've identified the 10 most distinctive and happening right now (in alphabetical order) with a mix of all of the above. The drink prices may be higher than at your local watering hole, but you're paying for an amazing setting -- and if you get lucky, there's always a room to rent nearby.