After a prolonged and unexpected closure, one of Chelsea’s favorite restaurants is finally getting ready to reopen later this year.
The Ainsworth is a sophisticated, all-American sports bar, restaurant, and private event experience space that has been steadily operating out of Hoboken, Chelsea, and Nashville, Tennessee. Offering a variety of multi-purpose spaces, The Ainsworth simultaneously offers guests an exclusive fine dining experience, live sports and a robust beer and cocktail menu, weekend brunches, and late-night parties with bar snacks.
While The Ainsworth’s Chelsea outpost was a neighborhood staple for years, it sadly closed down during the pandemic and has remained dormant since. Locals have been anxiously awaiting news about the space, but thankfully owner Matthew Shendell has confirmed that his team will be reviving the Ainsworth at its original location at 122 West 26th Street, between Sixth and Seventh Avenue.
While the temporary loss of The Ainsworth was sad news for the neighborhood, its closure has given Matt and his team the time they need to renovate the space and unlock its true potential. The location is rather spacious, and once The Ainsworth has opened it will be able to seat about 200 guests at one time. For the menu, guests can expect the same traditional American fare that they have come to love so much from The Ainsworth. Samples from the menu include a mac and cheese burger, a pulled pork grilled cheese, fish and mushroom tacos, wings, oysters, and many other fine dishes.
While the Ainsworth was previously licensed to serve liquor at the location, Matthew and his team must once again apply for a new license now that they are reopening the space. He is currently getting ready to meet with the community board for approval and is proposing closing hours of Midnight on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday, 1:00 AM on Thursday, 2:00 AM on Friday and Saturday, and 11:00 AM on Sunday. While you wait, you can hop on the PATH and take a visit to Hoboken to check out their nearest location, and you can follow The Ainsworth on Instagram for regular updates on their new space. According to Matt, he is hoping to have the space operational by the end of October.
