Thyme Bar is a bar experience like no other. First of all, you enter through a tiny, tiny door. Unless you have googled and checked their social media accounts, you don't really know what to expect. Once inside, there's a small stairway that takes you underground to an intimate and unique cocktail lounge.
The details
The design here is worth the visit itself. The tile floors, wall decor, the lighting. Every single detail is thought of in this bar. The interior incorporates living elements into the city's urban space, blending an appreciation of culture as well as architecture. In the 1920s, this space was actually a secret gambling hall.
Then you get the menu. Created by Jeremy Le Blanche, a French native with global bartending experience. And he's extremely talented. Before Thyme Bar, he was the Head Mixologist at Queensyard NYC, where he showcased his creativity by combining the cocktails with fine bites on the summer menu The Gastrology. Before moving to America, he's worked at several top restaurants and cocktail bars, including Anne Sophie Pic in Switzerland. Inspired by his multi-cultural experience and passion for the arts, Jeremy has focused on elements of floriography, which is beautifully shown visually at Thyme Bar.
The drinks
Thyme Bar crafts the most gorgeous and delicious drinks. They make every single drink into a piece of art. I had no idea flowers and cocktails were such a good fit.
My husband ordered HWYL, I ordered Laojiao Mule, both pictured below.
The food couldn't have been better, either. We got truffle fries, forest aranchini, and Berkshire pork belly sliders. It was good and filling comfort food with an elegant twist to it.
Intimate
For us, coming here was a spontaneous choice as we were in the area and wanted a drink. We didn't book reservations and were lucky to get a table at Thyme Bar. We had to wait upstairs for a few minutes before getting seated. If you plan on going here during the weekend, make sure to book in advance. This is a small cocktail lounge and there's not a lot of seating. It's intimate, and that's part of what makes it so charming.
Local or tourist, if you find yourself in the Flatiron district of Manhattan, Thyme Bar is for sure worth a visit. Cocktails will never be the same after a visit here.
Address: Cellar Cellar, 20 W 23rd St, New York, NY 10010