Winter Debuts and Re-Openings in NYC: Bomberino, Petite Disco, King Cole Bar, Time Again, Rash
Whether you’re looking for an uptown affair, a subdued sunset cocktail, or you simply need to dance until there is sweat on the walls, NYC certainly has something for you. From Brooklyn’s new Bomberino to Midtown’s lavishly renovated King Cole Bar, here are a few interesting new and re-opened spots to try this season.
Bomberino
Bomberino. Image: Bomberino (Via Instagram).
What Is It: Bomberino, the newest creation by the team behind Brooklyn DOP and Caffè De Martini, brings the uniquely Italian phenomenon of the aperitivo bar to the Prospect Lefferts Gardens in Brooklyn. Following a cherished format found all over Italy, Bomberino serves classic Italian pastries with flavorful espresso in the morning, before transitioning to small bites and a carefully-curated selection of wines and beer for the aperitivo at the end of the day. A pause in the afternoon allows for relaxation and recovery.
The Vibe: A physically narrow space, the interior design of Bomberino is dominated by a series of unexpected contrasts, from the exposed brick and sanded plaster walls paired with surgically-precise recessed lighting and miniature lamps, to the matte-black plates and glossy dark stone countertops against gilt-framed mirrors and neon lettering. There is a northern Italian sophistication that interacts with the familial warmth of the staff— an inclusive and friendly arrangement. Time slows down.
What to Order: It depends on when you go. If morning: a cappuccino with no sugar and a cornetto. If its aperitivo time? A glass of Grignolino and the selection of cheeses.
Bomberino Location: 392 Rogers Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11225
Bomberino Hours:
Cafe
8am-5pm, Sunday — Wednesday.
8am-4pm, Thursday — Saturday.
Aperitivo
6am-10pm, Thursday — Saturday.
Petite Disco
Petit Disco. Image: BFA.
What Is It: Coming from the team behind Maison Close, Bounce Beach, and Talya Montauk, Petite Disco carefully steps through the archives of New York City nightlife to revisit a specific moment: one where the white-glove service of the 1960s dinner club began to intersect with the rambunctious freedom of the disco era. Having only opened earlier this year, Petite Disco is a comfortable escape into this rare era, with an equal focus on great sounds and great service.
The Vibe: Certainly come to dance. Streaks of red neon zoom around the darkened room while dusty mirrors hang behind crushed velvet sofas with art curated by Domingo Zapata. Cheetah print walls bring a whisper of sleaze. Striped awnings outside brings a dose of whimsy that would not be unfamiliar to Jacques Demy. Tuxedo-wearing staff take orders at the bar and table-side.
While the tone of the space is parked in a groovy past, the music and programming is throughly modern. Already a favorite of low-key, downtown celebrities, the opening night featured Mia Moretti spinning an edgy disco-inspired deep house set while Jemima Kirke and others grooved along.
What to Order: Opt for a drink of the era, like an Amaretto Sour or White Russian.
Petite Disco Location: 161 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10011.
Petite Disco Hours: 11pm-4am, Thursday — Saturday. Reservations recommended.
King Cole Bar at The St. Regis New York
King Cole Bar at The St. Regis New York. Image: St. Regis Hotels & Resorts.
What Is It: Named so for the Maxfield Parrish work that anchors the room, the King Cole Bar at The St. Regis New York has long been an anchor in the social fabric of the city. Positioned in the crosshairs of Midtown Manhattan, the bar has long been a meeting place for business people, creatives, celebrities, and the generally curious.
The Vibe: Just ahead of The St. Regis New York’s 120th anniversary, the King Cole Bar emerges from a renovation a decade in the making. Led by Champalimaud Design, the bar— already dark and small— has only gotten darker and smaller, shifting the space from being the incidentally moody sister of a networking hub to something much more mysterious, discreet, and arguably cosmic. If the King Cole Bar is too sapphire for you, The St. Regis has added a new dining option, La Maisonette, which serves breakfast, lunch and afternoon tea in a pavilion-like atmosphere.
What to Order: The classic Bloody Mary, a signature of The St. Regis.
King Cole Bar Location: 2 E 55th St, New York, NY 10022.
King Cole Bar Hours: 4pm—11pm, daily.
https://www.marriott.com/en-us/hotels/nycxr-the-st-regis-new-york/dining/
Time Again
Time Again on October 5th, 2024. Image: Benjamin Schmidt.
What Is It: Situated on a curious Chinatown corner, suspended between the monumental Manhattan Bridge Collonade and Arches and a bus station, a shopfront owned by Nick Poe and Alec Reinstein has gone through a series of dramatic evolutions, going from a bright, daytime cafe to a surrealist sushi spot. After a brief quiet period, the place has once more emerged as Time Again, an aperitif bar. Be sure to follow the bar’s Instagram because the place often hosts one-off events— from BBQs to concerts— at a moment’s notice. Recently, the bar hosted a pop-up in collaboration with @tomsjuicenyc.
The Vibe: Time Again serves cocktails, natural wine, and small plates, but tone is exceedingly social. The atmosphere is a lot looser and more casual than past iterations. On popular nights (which is basically any night), the crowd spills into the street and nearby parking area, where low stools and cafe chairs litter the pavement. Here, there is equal parts see-what-happens and make-something-happen. Come with a strong wingman. The crowd is deeply downtown, but also curiously international. Maybe Time Again already made it into the newest German-language edition of Lonely Planet…?
What to Order: Orange wine or a classic cocktail. Almost nothing on the menu is over $15.00.
Time Again Location: 105 Canal St, New York, NY 10002
Time Again Hours: 5pm-2am, daily.
https://www.instagram.com/timeagainbar/
Rash
Rash. Image: Dice.
What Is It: With its hypercore red “R” logo hanging off a nondescript Bushwick building, Rash quickly grew to be one of Brooklyn’s essential club spots after it opened in 2021. Less than a year later, the club fell victim to arson which forced the queer-friendly space to close for two years. After radio silence and uncertainty of its fate, Rash announced its reopening in early 2024. Now, a few months in, the anything-goes club is back and stronger than ever with an all-new structure and an enhanced sound system.
The Vibe: One way or another, the party comes to Rash. According to Rash creators Jen Sillen and Claire Bendiner, inclusivity and fostering talent is the aim: “We want our dancefloor to be the place where up-and-coming DJs are given the opportunity to prove themselves” they told Paper Magazine. Dark, red, loud, you come to dance. Follow the official Instagram to keep up with the impressive roster of new and returning DJs.
What to Order: Vodka soda.
Rash Location: 941 Willoughby Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11221.
Rash Hours: 7pm-2am, Sunday—Wednesday (closed on Monday). 7pm-4am, Thursday- Saturday.
