Hello Hello opened July 9 in New York City’s Chelsea neighborhood, blending a cocktail program with a daytime café menu.
Luis Hernandez, Brendan Bartley, and Robert Nieves are the tema behind the concept.
Hernandez led programs at Seamstress NYC and Ume Plum Liqueur; Bartley is the longtime beverage director at Bathtub Gin and co-owners of Bonne Vie Armagnac; and Nieves is a partner at Record Room in LIC and has worked with brands like Bacardi and Ten to One Rum.
“We didn’t want to overcomplicate it,” Hernandez said in a statement. “This is the kind of place we’d actually want to drink at. No gimmicks. Just good music, great drinks, and the right energy from day to night.”
The trio is joined by master distiller Sammer Aboelela and operations consultant Dave Oz, founder of Bathtub Gin.
Hello Hello operates as a café during the day, offering coffee before transitioning into a full bar at night. The café serves a rotating selection of coffee drinks, including a Guava & Olive Oil Latte, and pastries from Colson Patisserie.
Coffee cocktails figure prominently in the nighttime menu, powered by Hello Hello’s own small-batch distillery.
“Coffee runs through everything we’re doing,” Bartley said. “The Espresso Martini will be available all day, and we’re using our own coffee liqueur in drinks like the Irish Tiramisu and French Carajillo. We wanted to create cocktails that feel fun and familiar, but with a lot of intention behind them.”
Cocktails are price at $18 and under, and the menu favors minimal garnishes and efficient service.
“If it’s in the glass, it’s there for a reason,” Nieves said. “It’s about getting things right without overcomplicating them.”
The space was designed by West Chin Architects & Interior Designers. It drew inspiration from 1970s bars with refined, custom details. Sapele wood paneling, a sculptural Verde Lapponia stone bar top, and red-orange shelving.
The Hello Hello team invested in a custom-designed DJ booth and high-end audio system to support both guest sets and curated playlists. DJs initially will play Thursday through Saturday, with plans to expand to daily programming in the future.
“This bar was built for the people on the other side of it,” Nieves said. “It’s not about showing off or making a statement — it’s about whoever’s sitting at the bar and giving them a great night.”
Hello Hello, located at 151 W 26th St., takes limited reservations for large parties. Bar hours are Monday through Wednesday, 5 p.m. to 1 a.m. EDT, and Thursday through Saturday, 5 p.m. to 2 a.m. EDT. Café hours are Monday through Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. EDT.
Contact Ron Ruggless at [email protected]
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