If you’ve been hanging around the Lower East Side recently, chances are you’ve caught a glimpse of a brand new, geometric symbol that marks the door of Pinky Swear, one of the neighborhood’s newest additions. But what exactly is Pinky Swear? That’s a question with many, many answers.
Photo by Noah Fecks
Pinky Swear describes itself as “an immersive social experience for artists, creatives, gourmands, & creatures of the night,” “a home for invention and innovation,” “a redefinition of how we interact with art, food, drink, & space,” and “a submission of one’s senses.” Simply put, the stunning space is a first of its kind.
The technicolor dream of a restaurant had its grand opening on April 24th, and it was a dreamlike night in the best way possible.
Photo by Noah Fecks
Set inside a surrealist dreamscape envisioned by Jeanette Didon (Hospitality designer), Nathan Roth (artist and interaction designer), and Sebastian Quinn (architect), Pinky Swear invites guests to step into a kaleidoscope of sensory wonder. With every corner engineered to provoke curiosity and creativity, the space feels much less like a restaurant and much more like a living, breathing artwork, which seems to be exactly the intended purpose. “For me as a designer, [it was] such a great opportunity to really get very expressive, and go all in and not hold back on anything,” Didon said. “And pretty instantly, I had all these crazy ideas in my mind, and then just kept going.”
Every corner of the space is an experience. It features five distinct spaces, each themed with different art installations. Guests explored a dynamic, virtual reality work of art that interacted and reacted to their movements. Vintage telephones whispered secrets when lifted. A moving, immersive photo booth captured moments in motion, bending light and sound into memory. If guests needed a break from what Eater New York described as “pure chaos,” a lovely back garden area complimented the space where guests could enjoy their drinks and chat about everything they had just witnessed.
Photo by Noah Fecks
Pinky Swear features innovative and non-traditional hyper-interactive artwork that rarely reaches wide audiences. The space is alive with thought-provoking sculptures, fixtures, furniture, and installations that respond to touch, sound, and proximity, ensuring no two visits are ever the same. The exhibits rotate regularly, making each trip through the venue a new discovery.
And how exactly do these art installations interact with visitors? One of the coolest parts about Pinky Swear is its immersive nature, and this aspect is no exception. All of the interactive experiences are unlocked using Pinky Swear tokens, which are included with each drink purchase, transforming cocktails into keys and guests into participants in an unfolding artistic narrative.
Grooves spun by Jackson Walker Lewis, along with surprise sets from legendary DJs Stretch Armstrong and Chromeo, elevated the atmosphere into full sensory overload. From the pulsating lights to the impromptu dance moments, the night felt like stepping into a parallel universe where fun, art, and rebellion held court.
Photo by Noah Fecks
We highly recommend a trip to Pinky Swear for anyone looking to add a little more whimsy, interactivity, and of course, positive chaos into their lives. Hear more about it here!
