NEW YORK—Don’t call it E-V-R, warns operating owner Alex Likhtenstein; the sexy, sleek, and glittering lounge located a few blocks south of Bryant Park is pronounced “ever.”
“It’s for everyone and it’s ever-changing,” he said.
It’s aptly named and is a venue of many faces; the sprawling space hosts pulsing live entertainment, chic corporate events—even fashion shows. The food, while delicious and sensational, changes and is constantly one-upped from season to season, as with the drinks. Like a living organism, the venue morphs; even the layout of the furniture and decor transforms from day to day according to each week’s happenings.
“For two months, no week passed without a fashion show here,” Likhtenstein said. “In this neighborhood, it’s either pubs or the lobby of the Waldorf, which is a completely different feel. We offer downtown artistry, uptown sophistication.”
Afterwork and Late Night
Tucked among the quaint lunchtime restaurants frequented by Midtown office workers, EVR brings a cool, magnetic persona to the area—the first of its kind in the neighborhood. The scene that greets you when you cross the bouncer-guarded threshold is an eclectic, spacious, and atmospheric balconied lounge replete with metallic counters and walls hung with spicy contemporary local artwork. A gorgeously decorated bar, loaded with goodie upon goodie, will occupy plenty of your time before you make your way to the back, where an inviting space unfolds. One thing is for sure: at EVR, there is true lounging to be done.
After perusing the downstairs, you are led to another large, second floor balcony. Yet another expansive, moody space is revealed, which houses many a rocking private party, packing in up to 80 people. EVR’s entire lounge, in all its impressive three floors, has a capacity of over 200, and fills just that on a regular basis.
The calm, cool, collected vibe of EVR’s daytime and after-work surroundings gradually shifts into a late night party where the volume pumps up and a different crowd comes out. A live DJ, perched above and commanding the night crowd, hosts every night except Monday. Light shows are a regular and don’t be surprised to see a dancing, blue robot making an appearance. On Wednesdays, expect savvy cocktails and soothing jazz with specials on the mixology menu.
Dynamic Drinks, Delectable Food
EVR has every right to brag about its talent. Making his occasional appearance at the bar is Venezuelan-born mixologist Orson Salicetti, formerly of Apothéke, who helped craft EVR’s incredibly unique cocktail menu. Celebrity chef and “culinary bad boy” Chris Nirschel of Food Network fame is EVR’s executive chef.
Nirschel goes above and beyond with an attractive mix of reinterpreted bar food and entrees.
EVR’s sliders can only be described as meaty ambrosia. Tender, 12-hour braised short ribs au jus sit between soft and fluffy buns. Pomegranate-pickled red onions and manchego cheese inside only heighten the savory flavors. (An order comes with three, so parties of two beware—I guarantee you there will be fighting for the last one.)
If you get the sliders, also get the truffle fries. They are to die for. Crispy and light, they are seasoned lightly with bleu cheese, truffle oil, and a light sprinkling of scallions for a punch of flavor.
Other highlights from the food menu include incredibly tasty flatbread pizzettes, a large selection of creative hors d’oeuvres (called “bites”), and salads each as inventive as the next.
Try the Ahi Tuna Seaweed Salad or the EVR, which features Merlot braised pear, Gorgonzola filled dates, crispy pancetta, and frisee with a strawberry balsamic.
EVR’s cocktails are ever-changing, season to season, and use a delightful blend of fresh seasonal fruits and herbs.
For summer, mixologist Carlos De Vazquez recommends the refreshing watermelon martini, which uses strawberry, lavender, and chamomile-infused vodka—“A good aroma for summer,” he said.
De Vazquez, who has worked as a mixologist for six years in the city, pairs the bar with the kitchen, and uses a large range of seasonal ingredients that supplement and nourish.
For the candy lover, there’s Ciao Bella, a cocktail that tastes like sweet nectar. The adventurous should try The Smoky—tequila, mezcal, caramelized pineapple, Royal Combier, Aleppo pepper with agave and lime.
The after-work, cocktail crowd can expect a host of networking parties this summer. Likhtenstein is set to expand EVR’s events offerings, welcoming groups from all sectors, from fashion to finance.
EVR
54 W. 39th St.
New York, NY 10018
212-997-3900
www.EVRnyc.com
Mon–Wed 5 p.m.–11 p.m.
Thu–Fri 5 p.m.–4 a.m.
Sat 10 pm.–4 a.m.
Afterwork Events
Monday: Movie night with drinking games and specials. Starts at 5 p.m.
Wednesday: Live jazz from 7 to 10 p.m. A portion of proceeds go to a different charity every week.
Thursday: Financial networking happy hour. Starts at 5 p.m.
Thursday, Friday, Saturday: Late-night movies and drink specials and late-night parties with DJ.
Sunday: Full moon brunch with glow-in-the-dark body painting. Starts at 2 p.m.
