Set the Scene.
Manhattan is no stranger to cocktail bars opening seemingly every second—but none have landed with quite the same energy as Schmuck. The East Village newcomer at the corner of First Ave and E 6th is the brainchild of renowned hospitality duo Moe Aljaff and Juliette Larrouy. It's a spirited spin-off of their former Barcelona bar, Two Schmucks, a World's 50 Best Bars darling.
Inside, two spaces unfold before you: the main lounge, affectionately dubbed The Living Room, and a smaller, semi-private hideaway known as The Kitchen Table. Designed to reflect Moe and Juliette's lives, the layout balances personality and play.
In The Living Room, guests can post up at the central cocktail bar, settle in at a dining table, or sneak off to the lounge-y corner where low couches and coffee tables set the tone for a more laid-back hang. Vintage furniture and funky decor—like a ceramic greyhound guarding a corner or a glass table brimming with fortune cookies—set the tone. Picture yourself at an antique collector friend's effortlessly stylish apartment—if that friend also happened to know how to throw a killer cocktail party.
A few design themes are at play here, all adding to the suave, anything-goes energy of the establishment. Mid-century modern furnishings mingle with Space Age-inspired bathrooms—think chrome finishes and trippy neon lights—while Brutalist touches, like exposed concrete walls, ground the space in a cool, industrial edge. It all works together, creating a curated and effortlessly stylish vibe.
Tucked behind the central area, with its own separate entrance, is The Kitchen Table—which acts as the after-party hangout. It perfectly captures that late-night swirl of conversation you'd find around a friend's kitchen counter. The room pulses with that elusive feeling you've landed somewhere special.
Let's Start With the Drinks.
First of all, this isn't your typical bar experience. Let's put it this way: you won't order the usual gin and tonic or spicy margarita here. Instead, prepare to dive into inventive flavors that harmonize the drinks and the food. The menu offers two options depending on the room, but first-timers will likely encounter The Living Room menu. So, let's start there.
There are 12 signature cocktails, each inspired by favorite ingredients or dishes, with a few key players that are sure to steal the spotlight. If you're a martini fan like me, your eyes will dart to the Schmuck Martini. It's a Fords Gin concoction with Shochu, Blanche Normandie, and a French blend of blanc and dry vermouth, all topped with a few drops of Frankie's olive oil tincture. Note that this isn't a salty olive brine martini—it's smooth with earthy flavors and subtle floral notes.
For something truly unique, try the Larb Gai, a mix of Remy Martin, peanuts, rice, herbs, and chili oil—reminiscent of a Thai meal—or the Blanka, which combines Cazadores Tequila with granny smith apple, celery, mustard vinaigrette, and ginger, evoking the flavors of a French winter salad with raw fennel and orange vinaigrette.
On the presentation front, your drink arrives on a rectangular metal tray, accompanied by round-scalloped doilies. Beside the cocktail, a glass of filtered water sits in a delicate, thin drinking cup from Kinto. And speaking of martinis, halfway through, the staff swaps your drink into a freshly chilled glass. That’s the kind of detail Schmuck is all about.
For a quick mention of The Kitchen Table, their 10 cocktails focus on bold flavors with minimal ingredients. Rumor has it that the Le Banané, Apple Colada, and Strawberry & Cheese are big hits. (I'm envisioning the Ratatouille scene when Remy bites into a strawberry and then a block of cheese—the flavors just make sense, right?)
Quick Food Recap.
What's a dinner party without tasty snacks? Created in collaboration with LOBB Berlin's Arash Ghassemi, the menu blends Persian and Western European techniques with bold flavors that surprise at first glance—until they land on your table and excitement sets in.
The White Bean Cacio e Pepe, with smoked breadcrumbs, tarragon oil, and black pepper, is a must-try, as is the Puff Pastry Pizza: a fluffy, donut-like dough fried with parsley-tarragon-dill pesto and topped with parmesan (grated tableside). After that, add a third plate—either the Smoked Labneh with fresh and pickled veg, chili oil, and flatbread or the Shrimp in Harissa Butter.
For dessert, don't skip Chocolate & Olive Oil—a rich, airy dark chocolate mousse with Fat Gold olive oil and a dash of salt flakes. (They're serious about their olive oil here—Fat Gold is no joke.)
Final Thoughts?
Foodies and cocktail lovers alike will feel right at home at Schmuck. The intimate atmosphere makes it feel like you're at a friend's place—perfect for sipping drinks, spilling secrets, and enjoying a playlist that captures the energy of a night out in New York City. What more could you want?
Top Takeaways
Location: East Village, New York City
Address: 97 1st Ave., New York, NY 10003
Cuisine: Cocktail Bar
The vibe: A quirky East Village cocktail bar that captures the youthful, vibrant spirit of the neighborhood.
Pricing: $$
Takes reservations? Yes – Resy
Our favorite dish on the menu: When it comes to drinks, I'm a sucker for the Schmuck Martini, but I was pleasantly surprised by the Larb Gai (I'm not usually a peanut person, but the flavors here totally jive). As for food, the White Bean Cacio e Pepe is so delicious that I'm seriously considering learning how to make it at home.
The attire: Casual (But, of course, New York-style—think trendier, the better).
Hours: Open Wednesday to Sunday from 4 p.m. until close. (Pro tip: They mostly take all walk-ins and will start a waitlist or have people wait outside, but the Kitchen Table is walk-in only.)
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