The Aviary Makes Its NYC Debut Today

The Aviary, the experimental cocktail bar from Chicago’s Grant Achatz and Nick Kokonas, finally makes its New York debut today on the top floor of the Mandarin Oriental Hotel. The Office, the Aviary’s smaller speakeasy counterpart, opened in June, but the long-awaited Aviary, considered one of the best cocktail bars in America, is the duo’s larger, envelope-pushing showpiece.

Like the Chicago original, the Aviary NYC will serve fancy cocktails and progressive food to match, Eater NY reports. The cocktail list at the new Aviary includes the “Wake and Bake,” a blend of rye whiskey, coffee, and orange juice, served with an everything bagel-scented pillow, seemingly a nod to the new city. And because the Aviary is inside a hotel, daytime service, including drinks and food, is a must. The bar launches with a Japanese-inspired dinner menu from chef Dan Perretta, with eventual plans to add lunch and Australian-inspired breakfast.

Photo: Aviary NYC

This is the first time Alinea Group has expanded outside of Chicago, where, in addition to the Aviary and the Office, they have groundbreaking restaurants Alinea, Next, and others. But, it’s likely not the last. Kokonas told Eater in August that he and Achatz are interested in expanding the Aviary/Office combo globally, including to cities like Tokyo, London, Hong Kong, and Las Vegas.

Tickets for dinner and drinks are live on Tock, Kokonas’s own reservation-booking system, now.

• The Aviary Throws Open Its Penthouse Doors Tomorrow [ENY]
• The Aviary’s Cryptic Menu Points to Kitchen Wizardry [ENY]
• Nick Kokonas and Grant Achatz Want to Take the Aviary Global [E]