Introducing the Hudson Club New York, now officially open for business: an expansive alcove dripping with sophisticated glamor, perfect for all your social occasions. We stopped by the night before the lounge opened to sample the delicious bites, inventive cocktails, and the inspired atmosphere.
When you walk into The Hudson Club, you’ll see the grand venue opening up before you – an offshoot room at the front to wait for your friends and start sampling drinks, a beautiful bar room with brass finishes, where you can watch the bartenders grate fresh cinnamon sticks onto your drinks (the Practice Practice Practice drink), and finally, the main seating areas with plenty of booth seating and larger tables. Design Principal Julien Leagerd wanted to create a “playful yet refined atmosphere through the use of jewel-toned colors and luxurious materials… dark wood finishes, glossy tiles, and soft, ambient lighting.”
The Hudson Club’s midtown location makes it the perfect spot to grab drinks with a client or coworker after a day of work, or to meet family and friends touring the city from out of town – although I’d travel up from my home base in West Village any day for the curated, intimate atmosphere that The Hudson Club offers.
The cocktail we ordered, the Practice Practice Practice, was divine: it featured pear, apple shrub, citrus, and soda anchored by a jasmine and sage-infused Grey Goose, and topped with that freshly-grated cinnamon stick dust. Other cocktails in the preview night selection included the Yellow Pearl, a mezcal-based, thai chile-and-pineapple flavored drink, and a classic Cosmopolitan brightened with preserved lemon. Appetizers were passed around the room, including a plethora of crispy rice varieties: spicy crab, kimchi and veggie, tuna, truffle steak tartare, smoked salmon, and more. Shrimp with cocktail sauce was presented on a skewer, and secret-menu-item style thin cut fries kept appearing on tables throughout the night. My favorite appetizer was the oysters with a green, citrusy mignonette – I almost always prefer oysters with just a splash of lemon and no other dressing, and this is the first preparation to ever make me rethink that.
An all around lovely evening was emphasized by the incredible staff’s kindness and excitement about the launch. You can clearly tell that they are invested in the Hudson Club, which speaks to the vision and leadership of the owner, Eytan Sugarman, Executive Chef John DeLucie, Mixologist Brendan Woertz, and Hudson Street Hospitality partners Richie Romero, Matt Schendel, and Shaun Rose. We can’t wait to see how much New Yorkers love The Hudson Club, and will be back again as soon as possible! Read more and book your reservation here today.
Photo Courtsey: Rob Rich Photography