New Yorkers are riding high: the Knicks have won, we’re in the midst of Pride month, and World Cup fever is sweeping the city, so both the bars and the streets are packed with sports fans in search of a screen showing the game du jour. Not to mention, the weather has remained perfect.
There truly isn’t a better time to be dining out or drinking alfresco in any of the five boroughs, especially with some pretty good $26 food and drink specials across the city too. This week, a new batch of bars and restaurants are popping up around town including a Midtown sports bar, a wagyu omakase dining experience near Union Square, and a massive Seoul-inspired waterfront destination in Williamsburg.
The Addison
Just in time for all the big sports moments, and designed for everything from after-work cocktails to late-night dinners, The Addison opened on June 10 in Midtown. The 2,300 square-foot space hosts up to 120, and is offset by deep cobalt blue lacquered walls, red and navy blue velvet seating, marble surfaces, and ambient lighting—not to mention plenty of large TV screens.
“We built and created The Addison for New Yorkers to feel at home in the heart of Midtown, and for out-of-town visitors to get a taste of the city in the heart of the city,” said Addison co-owner Ian Magid. “We’ve used our years of hosting—figuring out what works and what we thought was missing— and wanted to bring to life here. We’re ready to welcome guests coming from near and far as New York becomes the sports capital of the world in the next few weeks and beyond.”
The bar program offers a lineup of specialty cocktails, priced between $18 and $20, including The Addison Martini with orange bitters and a lemon twist, along with beer, wine, and nonalcoholic drinks. The menu extends to food with shareable starters including oysters and wings, as well as a stacked burger, tacos, and chocolate lava cake. 214 W. 39 St., Midtown, theaddisonny.com
Bar Rouge
Opening Tuesday, June 16, and located in the cellar level below The Mayfair Hotel’s Pattin’, Bar Rouge is the newest speakeasy in town. It’s perfect for pre- or post-show drinks, live jazz, DJs, and even burlesque, all depending on the night. While the menu upstairs at Pattin’ is full-service, Bar Rouge is just for beverages, featuring a playful cocktail list that should appeal to all kinds of drinkers.
The menu is divided into three acts: to start the night, to keep the night going, or drinks to wind down the night (aka nightcaps). The team also serves wine, beer, and bubbles. With plans to operate Thursday through Saturday, from 9 p.m. to 4 a.m., Bar Rouge is one of the few rooms in the city where midnight is still early. 242 W. 49th St., Midtown, pattinnyc.com
lalaon
Opening Wednesday, June 17 on the Williamsburg waterfront just steps away from the Music Hall of Williamsburg and Smorgasburg, is lalaon, a sprawling Seoul-inspired destination. The restaurant brings the gathering culture of Seoul’s Han River to Brooklyn by way of Korean barbecue, fire-driven cooking, shareable dishes, Korean-inspired cocktails, and East River views.
Complementing the barbecue program are raw bar and seafood offerings, Korean-Chinese comfort dishes, and traditional Korean favorites.The expansive 300-seat-plus venue reimagines the Korean tradition of riverside dining through authentic cuisine, fire-driven cooking, and communal experiences designed to bring people together.
“Hospitality in Korea is deeply rooted in togetherness: meals that last for hours, tables filled with shared dishes and an energy that makes everyone feel welcome,” said founder Ju Young Oh. “With lalaon, we wanted to create a space where people can slow down, celebrate, and experience that same spirit of togetherness on the Williamsburg waterfront.” 22 N. 6th St., Williamsburg, Brooklyn, lalaonnyc.com
Yakiniku Great
With eight locations across Asia, Yakiniku Great is opening its first U.S. location near Union Square on June 18. The crux for the new restaurant is an omakase-style experience where Japanese black wagyu beef cuts are selected daily, prepared in front of guests, and served one course at a time.
Guests can choose from two options: The 5 ($130) and The 7 ($170) and the restaurant will operate with a rotating team of chefs from other Yakiniku Great locations. Owner Shoji Tsugawa, founder of the restaurant group, is actively involved and plans to participate as part of the team. The dining room centers around a 14-seat counter designed to highlight the direct interaction between guests and the service team. Four additional tables, each seating up to four guests, offer the same experience, with dedicated staff preparing and cooking each course tableside on the grill.
For now, dinner will be offered in two nightly seatings at 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. The restaurant is open six days a week and closed on Mondays.12 W. 17th St., Flatiron, yakiniku-great.us.com
The Gyro Project
The Gyro Project, a fast-casual Greek concept across Manhattan, is opening its ninth location this week. To celebrate, the eatery is offering $5 gyros to the first 100 in-store guests beginning at 5 p.m. on Thursday, June 18.
“We’re excited to bring The Gyro Project to the Upper East Side and continue expanding throughout New York City,” said George Tenedios, co-owner of The Gyro Project. “The neighborhood has such a strong sense of community, and we’re looking forward to introducing residents to our authentic Greek flavors while also debuting our popular rotisserie chicken in the city for the very first time.”
The new location will also introduce The Gyro Project’s rotisserie chicken to NYC for the first time, in addition to the offerings that made the chainlet a favorite, including pita wraps, mezzes like tzatziki and hummus, loaded Greek fries, and its signature Greek frozen yogurt. Inside, there’s seating for 30 guests, along with takeout and delivery service. 1260 Lexington Ave., Upper East Side, thegyroproject.com
