Inside the new Rocco’s Sports & Recreation in NoHo

Photos: Andrew Sokolow                                                                            

This is not your ordinary sports bar. Rocco's Sports & Recreation (1 West 3^rd Street, NYC) is turning the run-of-the-mill ‘sports bar’ concept on its head with cheeky, vintage-inspired decor and clever takes on nostalgic game day eats and drinks. The key to the kitchen is a state-of-the-art oak, hickory and maple hardwood smoker, which can smoke up to 250 pounds at once.  

Some of those smoked options include Smoked Rack of Ribs salsa verde; Vegetarian Philly Cheesesteak with smoked mushrooms; and the RSR Brisket Burger with smoked brisket, white cheddar, house-made horseradish sauce, and bibb lettuce on a Japanese milk bun. Other options include Chargrilled BBQ Oysters; Beer Can Half Chicken with praline honey butter; and a Winners Circle Porterhouse for Two, garlic-crusted with lemon nori brown butter. Dessert brings a Football Helmet Ice Cream Sundae with salted caramel, strawberry jam, coconut, pralines, and black lime syrup.

Playful cocktails include the Get Ya Old Fashioned Here! with Cracker Jack-infused whiskey, salted honey, and bitters; Champions Cup with rum, tequila, passion fruit, pineapple, ginger, and lime, served in a trophy for four guests; and Broadway Joe with tequila, honeydew, pistachio, coconut cream and lime, served in a glass football.

Rocco’s, the latest offering from the Garrett Group, features quintessential sports decor, from a custom jumbotron to pop-a-shot basketball. The walls are lined with vintage sport memorabilia (think Wheaties boxes, trophies, Sports Illustrated Magazines, and more) for a nostalgic feel, and an atrium and skylight lets in plenty of light.

A portion of Rocco’s Sports & Recreation’s proceeds will be donated to SEED Project, ensuring youth access to quality education, high performance sports training and DREAM charter schools.

For more information, visit https://www.gotoroccos.com/