There’s another reason that the Flatiron is the place to be. The Experimental Cocktail Club has reopened at the lower level of its sister wine bar, La Compagnie. Since it closed its doors at the original Chinatown location, Experimental’s parent company has achieved a bit of world domination. The group has hotels, restaurants, cocktail lounges and wine bars in at least 10 locations, and counting. Experimental has a foothold in spots from the OG in Paris, to London, Verbier, Venice and even the Cotswolds. So it’s only befitting that they would return to NYC, and now they’re in the new Flatiron location. This is a first look.
Atmosphere
Of all of the highlights of Experimental Cocktail Club, its greatest virtue is the atmosphere. Located downstairs from the casual wine bar of La Compagnie, Experimental gives off illicit bordello vibes. Decorated with rich red fabrics that speak art deco meets the 70s, it’s made for a date night. That is until the piano music stops then the DJ kicks in, and then it’s made for the crowd. No matter how you cut it though, Experimental brings an elegant, sexy and slightly edgy option back for nightlife.
Food & Beverage
Experimental shares a similar menu as its upstairs sister wine bar, La Compagnie. There’s a Waygu Bologna sandwich, skewers of prawn, Waygu again, and maitake. There are also French fries should the munchies hit. We will have a full separate review on La Compagnie, which is more of a format conducive to food. For Experimental Cocktail Club, the focus, as well as the strength, is their beverage. This is the kind of spot that you come to after dinner or for a date for drinks. The Experimental team clearly gets the assignment, and their bartenders perform an array of achelmy on ingredients like elderflower and egg whites to elevate classics. The former are the key components of the signature St. Germaine des Pres, and there are also cocktails like the Old Cuban.
What is notable about the cocktails at Experimental is that they’re not overly sweet. I would say that they err on more subtle and refined, than sugary drinks. I had a drink that was a riff off a Pisco sour. Normally my max is one cocktail before I switch to wine, but the drink was balanced and refreshing enough to have a second.
Service
Yes, there’s a bouncer and no, you’re not guaranteed entry without a reservation at Experimental. However there’s an unpretentious and welcoming atmosphere from the check-in at La Compagnie to the bartenders downstairs. The bar gets busy but everyone works hard to look after you. The vibe is good with the music, decor and atmosphere, that the service naturally aligns.
Overall: 7.7/10
Experimental Cocktail Club is a solid grown up nightlife spot in the Flatiron.
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FAQs
Q: Where is Experimental Cocktail Club located?
A: Experimental Cocktail Club is located at the lower level of 6 W 24th St, New York, NY 10010.
Q: What are the hours of operation of Experimental Cocktail Club?
A: The hours of operation of Experimental Cocktail Club are as follows:
Monday | 6 PM–1 AM |
Tuesday | 6 PM–1 AM |
Wednesday | 6 PM–1 AM |
Thursday | 6 PM–2 AM |
Friday | 6 PM–2 AM |
Saturday | 6 PM–2 AM |
Sunday | 6 PM–12 AM |