White Rabbit

Critics' Pick

145 E. Houston St., New York, NY 10002
nr. Eldridge St. See Map | Subway Directions Hopstop Popup
212-477-5005 Send to Phone

Reader Rating:
8.0 out of 10
|
1 Reviews | Write a Review
Scene: WiFi, Latin, After Work, Bar Food, DJ, Lounge, Romantic, Singles Scene

Photo by Gavin Thomas

Map Rate & Review

Official Website

whiterabbitnyc.com

Hours

Tue-Thu, 6pm-2am; Fri-Sat, 6pm-4am; Sun, closed

Happy Hour

Daily, 6pm-9pm; $4 beers, well drinks, frozen margaritas, and daiquiris

Nearby Subway Stops

F, V at Lower East Side-Second Ave.

Payment Methods

American Express, MasterCard, Visa

Profile

Whereas other sleek lounges reek of Polo Sport, White Rabbit looks and smells like a spa, with aromatic eucalyptus and fresh flower arrangements daintily wedged between bottles behind the bar. This kind of attention to detail is characteristic of owner Jim Chu, who opened White Rabbit out of a desire to give his childhood neighborhood a classy but comfortable nightspot with treats inspired by the area’s diverse heritage. He succeeds admirably with signature Latin and Asian-inspired snacks and cocktails: Floral-tasting lychee martinis find their perfect complement in the crispy Filipino egg rolls called lumpia, and a mango-rum cocktail called the Paradise lives up to its name. Though the room is insistently white, the crowd is colorful, ranging from corporate types to NYU-aged kids relaxing after a show at the Sunshine next door. DJs sometimes spin, but there isn't much dancing: The crowd seems mostly content to sit back and breathe in the atmosphere. — Emily Gould

Trademark Drink

Paradise Martini (rum, mango-coconut puree)

I have gone to this place after being invited by a friend - I did a double take, because I have actually walked by a hundred times and not even noticed it. The room is really simple, long and narrow like many places in the neighborhood. I wouldn't say it smelled like a spa, but it's definitely cleaner than most places in the les. The thing that is most different about the place is the staff. They were, dare I say, friendly. The crowd in general seemed pretty laid back (a mix of hipsters and off-duty professional types) and the drinks stiff if a little pricey. To my surprise, a dj came on at 10pm, and by 11pm is was packed - a little too busy for my taste, but a good spot for a weekend party. I have gone back since, and found that it is nowhere that busy during the week.

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