The Empire Room has opened, on the hallowed grounds that were once home to Jeremiah Tower's Stars and Trader Vic's. The new concept is a combination bar, nightclub and "bespoke cocktail parlor," from managing partners Jeff Whitmore (Oddjob, SRO, Pier 70), Sebastien (Sebastien Entertainment) Jordan Langer (Oddjob, Big, Pier 70), Pete Glikshtern (Oddjob, Jones, Pier 70) and Christine Becerra.
The space is a multi-purpose entertainment venue, offering a bar and dance lounge (complete with bottle service), that will host special events, fashion shows, art installations, DJ shows, weekly parties and more. Guests with less of an itch to hit the dance floor can head to the cocktail parlor, where mixologists will create custom artisan cocktails like the Little Bag of Bones, made with bourbon, black peppercorn-infused vermouth and Scotch. Fine and Rare, the seafood-focused concept from The Hall proprietors Scott Peterson and Ted Wilson, is on food duty.
Patrons familiar with the venue (which was most recently home to the short-lived Maestro) will notice that most of the changes to the space are merely cosmetic, since the team only signed a three-year lease on the building. Eventually, the Empire will be bulldozed to become condos, but for now, it's time to party.
Hours for The Empire Room are Thursday and Friday from 5 p.m.-2 a.m., with happy hour from 5 p.m.- 9 p.m., and Saturday from 10 p.m.- 2 a.m.
