NYC News

Brooklyn Bar Thief Expands to the Lower East Side
April 17, 2023, 7:56.17 pm ET

Print


Photos: Ashley Sears Photography

Thief is moving into a second location at 161 Ludlow St in Manhattan. Thief LES is the second bar from industry heavyweight John McNulty (Swine, Cocktail King Hospitality Group) described as a modern take on the neighborhood bar.

The menu features ten shaken and stirred cocktails plus two frozen creations centered around tequila and mezcal, ranging from $14-$16. They include The Magnificent Seven (Mezcal, Midori, pineapple, lemon and egg white), Intergalactic (Tequila, pandan, pineapple, ginger, lime), and Dillinger’s Downfall (rum, papaya, banana, honey, lemon). Guests will also discover their signature friesling (frozen riesling) on tap, a popular choice for summer months.

The food menu includes some standout bar bites ranging from grilled pork ribs with a kiwi-soy glaze; a fried chicken sandwich with banana peppers, sour honey and peri peri ranch; and fried brie with Peppadew peppers and chives. The soon-to-be released brunch menu will offer favorites like french toast served with apple mezcal caramel and mezcal maple butter.

McNulty collaborated with Jason Volenec of Volenec Studio (Katana Kitten, Swine) to design the bar inspired by the thriving NYC art and music scene of the early '80s. Aside from a top-notch sound system, Thief LES will showcase iconic scenes of Debbie Harry, The Beastie Boys and Run DMC captured by Mariopl and Lynne Goldsmith. The space also boasts a large graffiti mural by Bisco Smith opposite the bar. Even the bathrooms do not escape the design treatment, wallpapered with imagery of cassette tapes and vintage speakers from floor to ceiling.


^Top