One of the city’s long-hidden gems for craft cocktails and unique ambiance has found a new, temporary, hiding place.
Angels Share — the East Village speakeasy that has wowed New Yorkers with its intoxicating menu of precision-made libations for three decades — re-emerged on Wednesday behind another nondescript portal near Madison Square Garden.
The iconic bar first opened in 1993 as the brainchild of restaurateur Tadao “Tony” Yoshida above his popular noodle shop, Village Yokocho, on East Eighth Street—long before the concept spoke through the East Village.
Those who stumbled through its unmarked wooden doors were transported to a Japanese-inspired fairyland where soft jazz and hard wine flowed in equal measure. The romantic setting features large windows overlooking the Stuyvesant Triangle and a hand-painted Italian Renaissance-style mural of cherubs above the 12-seat bar.
Elevating cocktails also came with house rules—such as no stands and no parties of more than four people at the 60-seat hot spot. Long lines will soon prompt newcomers to angel’s stock—a reference to a wine that evaporates when aged in casks.
However, Closed Paradise was closed in March after its 30-year lease expired. Now, Yoshida’s daughter, Arena, will try to recapture the magic at Hotel Eventy by Penn Station at US 851 Ave. on 30th St., as Angel’s Shares pop up again in the summer.
“My father’s main goal was to spread the craft of cocktails through Japanese techniques and skills,” said Arena Yoshida, who continues her search for a new space city.
“When I step inside it has to feel like home, and clients will feel the same way,” she said of finding a permanent home. “I’m looking for a classic, New York spirit. A place that’s quirky, not rowdy. And it should also have that discreet spirit that was on Engel’s part—as well as the hospitality aspect, the style of service, our rules, so that People can really enjoy their time and interact with the people they came with.”
Coming to Yoshida’s immediate rescue, LTH’s senior director of operations Chris Lauber — from top chef Laurent Tourondale — who heard through friends that Angel Share was looking for a temporary home.
LTH just created its own speakeasy space, hidden behind an unmarked door at the Vine at Hotel Eventi. The Pop Up has 30 elevated lounge seats with bar views.
“If you’re going to enjoy a delicious and expensive cocktail, you don’t necessarily want to be in a big, noisy bar,” Lauber said. “Low seats allow bartenders to focus on the finesse and details of a cocktail in a small space.”
After Angel’s share lease expired, Arena Yoshida said, “The most important thing was to keep the pace and integrity of the place alive and to be a temporary home for the employees – this was important to me during the transition time.” It was great, and we are thrilled to partner and collaborate with Hotel Eventi.”
Strict house rules would continue to be enforced, she said, adding that the unique “techniques and skills” that Angel was known to share would also continue – using a softer three-piece shaker instead of a noisy one on his own. of making ice. Boston Shaker – Along with making your own fresh juices, syrups and infusions from scratch.
“Now it is becoming a norm to highlight fresh ingredients – it was very different in 1993,” she said.
Even a version of the famous mural will greet patrons and harken back to the glory days of Angel’s Share. It is photographed and divided into sections framed for pop ups.
Vine, which plans to open its own speakeasy in the space in the fall, will also offer a limited menu at Angel’s Share’s Pop Up.
At Hotel Eventi, LTH also operates skirt steak – the popular one-course menu of steak with field greens and unlimited fries launched during the pandemic – and L’Amico, an Italian-inspired American restaurant.
Lober said it’s hard to explain the impact Angel’s stock had on the city’s craft cocktail movement.
“They’ve actually been a thing in New York City for decades,” he said. “What happened to his last place was unfortunate and speaks to the larger narrative, that all great things come to an end.”
