Another Country – a new bar offering cocktails, food, a collection of vinyl – is now open in Union Square at 10 East 16th Street (formerly the longtime home of Chat n’ Chew).
The cozy boîte aims to be greater than the sum of its parts: special attention is paid to cocktails, but it doesn’t take ten minutes to get a drink. They will play music, but won’t ask guests to talk quietly. The food menu is thoughtfully curated and well-executed. The interior design is snug while spacious, with a variety of tables and seating styles available in several sections and rooms.
The proprietors of the bar, Mark Connell and Timothy Jenkins, are longtime friends with extensive hospitality industry experience. They met at Botanica Bar (which Mark now owns) in 1996 and in the years following, have played key roles in founding and operating notable restaurants, bars, and nightlife destinations in both NYC and LA. Mark was a founding partner in Estela and a current partner in Oma Grassa, Nowadays, and more, in addition to Botanica. Timothy recently moved back to NYC after nearly a decade in LA, and has worked in NYC at Double Happiness and The Box, in addition to holding DJ residencies at the Ace Hotel in downtown LA and Pravda in NYC. Another Country is their first hospitality venture together.
There are eight cocktails on the opening menu, with the beverage program overseen by Katie Wiskoski, who was formerly bar manager at Xixa for the past several years. Signature drinks include the tropical (and cheekily-named) “The Plural of Vinyl is Vinyl,” with mezcal, rum, calamansi, pineapple and banana, and Rufus (rye, vanilla liqueur, Cynar, bitters). The beer selection is mostly local (Threes, Talea) alongside a small list of wines and ciders by the glass as well as spirit-free options.
The food menu features small dishes designed to be complementary to the beverages – easily shared, picked up and eaten. Daniel Newburg, formerly of Estela, consulted on the creation of the menu, and the kitchen is overseen by Andres de la Fé, who was most recently at Heavy Woods and has done work with Nuestra Mesa, a pop-up supporting mutual aid efforts. With the Union Square farmers’ market right down the block, they will be sourcing as many ingredients as possible from local purveyors. Highlights include a radicchio Caesar salad, a mortadella sandwich, and tender, crunchy fried chicken.
Musically, all of the vinyl displayed and played is from Timothy’s personal collection, ranging from Prince (an ersatz patron saint / spiritual guide for the bar) to Ravel. Timothy aims for the energy of the music to imbue the space with love and joy. “Growing up in the Southern Baptist tradition, I was always mesmerized when folks were moved by the Holy Ghost and would break into dancing. It’s no coincidence the Holy Ghost typically arrived when the choir was hitting on all cylinders – that’s the power of music,” he said in a statement. “Whether it’s Aretha’s Amazing Grace or Bach’s Sacred Cantatas or the funky grooves of the Universal Togetherness Band, music provokes thought and movement. If we’re lucky, one’s mind, booty, and spirit is touched. At Another Country, we hope to reach your spirit. Be it the music, the food, the drink, our kind staff, or a combination of all, we hope you’ll leave a little lifted.”
Design-wise, the inviting 77-seat space is bold and joyful, with hints of mid-century inspiration. Low ceilings are embraced through the use of a moody, dark palette and minimal, low-profile lighting. Various patterns and textures throughout lend warmth, such as cork, white oak, repurposed original pine flooring (from the Chat n’ Chew space!), soft upholstery, travertine countertops, and textured plaster walls – all materials meant to patina over time. The design was overseen by Lisa Ekle of e.g. projects, and custom millwork was done by Big Bear Custom Design.
The bar acts as the soul of the space, glowing within the darker room via its gold plaster ceilings, indirect lighting, an illuminated glass-and-mirror oak shelf custom designed for the vinyl collection, and a light travertine bar top with mirrored backsplash – all brought to life by Timothy’s colorful albums, and the liquor and glassware in place. Past the bar and the front seating area, an extra-wide corridor features more seating, and leads to the back room, a larger space for events and gatherings. The room – dubbed “Private Joy,” another nod to Prince – is wrapped in vibrant floral wallpaper (sourced from the UK) that lends whimsy and color to the hideaway.
Another Country is named for the James Baldwin novel, a favorite book of both Timothy and Mark. While the meaning of the novel’s title is up for interpretation, they hope that Another Country will be a spot for everyone.
Another Country is located at 10 East 16th Street (between Fifth Ave and Union Square West). Walk-ins are welcome; Resy coming soon.
Operating hours are Monday through Wednesday 5:00 pm – midnight, Thursday 5:00 pm – 1:00 am and Friday & Saturday 5:00 pm – 2:00 am.
