New York Jews looking to celebrate the holiday season with fellow Hanukkah devotees are in luck: Maccabee Bar, the Hanukkah-themed drinking den that first debuted in New York in 2022, is officially re-opening on December 23. The pop-up will take over Saint Tuesday at 77 Walker Street inside the Walker Hotel Tribeca through January 4, 2025.
As is the case every year, patrons will get to sip on themed cocktails while indulging in holiday favorites—from latkes to jelly donuts and other types of snacks like hummus, nuts and olives—in a festive environment adorned with unique decor.
“I’ve always loved the energy and excitement around the holiday season but also couldn’t help but feel a bit left out this time of year,” Naomi Levy, a Boston bartender and Maccabee Bar’s founder, says to Pretty Kosher. “I wanted to create a space that represented a different side of the season, one where everyone could enjoy celebrating in a different way no matter what you grew up with.”
Levy first launched her project in Boston in 2018 and, following its success, decided to expand to New York.
“Frankly, I can’t believe something like this hadn’t existed in New York before,” she says. “I hope to be able to continue to bring Maccabee Bar to other cities in future years as well!”
This year, the drink menu will feature old favorites like the Latke Sour (apple brandy, potato, lemon, Havana and hyde bitters) and the Ocho Kandelikah (olive oil gin, honey, apricot, almond and lemon) alongside newer concoctions, including the Kosher Nostra, a play on the classic Negroni, prepared with gin, Manischewitz wine and amaro.
Happy (early) Hanukkah, folks!
