Stepping out of the 7 train, walking along to the very end of a dead end street in Long Island City, pushing a button on a vintage 1980s boombox, and stepping directly into an expansive subterranean lounge is a series of events we did not expect to take.
But once we accomplished it all, we were met with a cocktail bar we would die to come back to. Meet Rewind, the latest opening from the co-founder of AYS Hospitality (the team behind The Office of Mr. Moto and TabeTomo).
At a special preview last Wednesday, the venue celebrated its arrival with full fanfare. At this special preview, guests were able to witness this sprawling cocktail bar space all for themselves. Along with taking in the incredible decor and design, guests sampled a variety of craft cocktails and bites featured on the menu.
The entire beverage menu was thoughtfully created by Beverage Director Min-He “Ken” Chen (formerly of Taipei’s renowned Indulge Experimental Bistro). Ken’s focus during this event was to bring an interactive framework to the menu rooted in Chinese philosophy: the Five Elements. Guests were invited to use their Chinese element to guide their drink order, with each element corresponding to a core flavor profile: Metal brings spice, Wood leans tangy, Water delivers savory notes, Fire introduces bitterness, and Earth offers sweetness.
Photo Courtesy of Rewind
We had a chance to sample a few of the drinks on the menu and each and every drink we had brought something so distinct and delicious that it was hard not to try them all. We started off with The Round Table. Featured on the Metal element section, this drink features Casa Dragones Blanco tequila with sweet melon, bright citrus, and a kick of Szechuan peppercorn and chili. The gentle tongue-numbing sensation from the peppercorns wakes up the palate right away, and invites the natural sweetness of the melon without flattening it.
The standout of the evening was Midnight Broth, a drink that evokes the essence of a Taiwanese beef noodle soup. Built on wagyu fat-washed Michter’s bourbon, A Li Bang black tea vermouth, and chili bean sauce oil, the drink arrives garnished with beef jerky and pickled mustard greens. The fat-washing gives the bourbon a silky, rounded mouthfeel packed with umami. The balance is perfect, where it bounces from savory to sweet throughout each sip..
For something with pronounced heat, the Infernal Ape delivers. Built with Yola Mezcal, amaro, sweet vermouth, and Chinese five-spice, it carries a smoky, warming kick that lingers on the palate. A side of pickled bamboo shoots accompanies the glass, offering an acidic crunch to reset your taste buds between sips if the spice builds up.
Beyond the cocktail lounge, Rewind keeps the energy going with eight custom karaoke suites tucked deeper into the venue. Outfitted with plush velvet seating, crisp sound systems, and massive screens, the rooms feel slick and upscale rather than like an afterthought. They are built for groups of practically any size, including a massive private event room that can comfortably host 30-plus people for a full night out.
Photo Courtesy of Rewind
After our special preview, we are extremely excited to see Rewind succeed. With an incredibly ambitious venture such as Rewind, it will surely be met with high praise and acclaim. What Rewind brings is a fresh and grand take on Queens nightlife.
