Pegu Club was one of the most popular cocktail lounges in Greenwich Village. Established in 2005, Audrey Saunders’ Pegu Club was one of the earliest New York bars to join the craft cocktail movement, significantly transforming the face of New York night life throughout the next decade. The legendary cocktail bar sadly closed in 2020 due to complications from the global pandemic, but thankfully the space will not remain vacant for much longer.
Travis Odegard and Nazar Hrab have recently filed for a liquor license for a brand new bar concept at the former Pegu Club at 77 West Houston Street. Currently the owners of the popular Pineapple Club, Travis and Nazar will be opening up a new bar called Babushka at the spot.
Described by Travis as a “restaurant and craft cocktail bar specializing in authentic Russian cuisine and infused vodka cocktails,” Babushka is a tribute to the many Russian communities that have helped make New York what it is today. Beyond food and cocktails, Babushka will be beautifully decorated with traditional Russian art and décor in honor of the country’s long and rich artistic history.
With approximately 2,400 square feet of space available, Babushka will be an appropriately spacious tribute to the Motherland. Capable of seating up 125 guests at one time, the space is already vented and equipped with a proper kitchen, which should make the transition much easier for Travis and the team.
As mentioned above, Babushka will be replacing Pegu Club at 77 West Houston Street. While the closing of such an iconic bar is always sad news, What Now New York previously reported last week that one of the partners at Pegu Club, Susan Fedroff, will be reopening the legendary Milady’s Bar at 160 Prince Street. So regardless of your taste in cocktails, 2022 is bound to give you whatever it is you’ve been looking for.
