
Elephant Bar
Hell's Kitchen, New York City
Bar in New York City, United States
The Read
Southeast Sophistication
Why go
Yugnes Susela's award-winning Southeast Asian cocktail artistry arrives in Manhattan's Gramercy at Elephant Bar, where bold, umami-rich drinks tell cultural stories through premium spirits and authentic spices. This luxury extension of Singapore's acclaimed The Elephant Room offers discerning New Yorkers an immersive journey through innovative mixology paired with seasonal Southeast Asian cuisine.
About Elephant Bar
Elephant Bar is a New York City bar at 690 9th Ave, ranked No. 14 on The World's 50 Best Bars 2023. It brings Southeast Asian cocktail artistry to Manhattan. The vision of Yugnes Susela, co-founder of the original Elephant Room (ranked No. 64 on Asia's Best Bars 2023), comes alive through his collaboration with Salil Mehta of Fungi Hospitality Group. Named for the elephant, a symbol of strength and memory across the Indian subcontinent, this New York City cocktail bar honors the vibrant heritage of Little India while embracing Manhattan's cosmopolitan energy. The December 2023 opening marked the concept's first international expansion. Elephant Bar's mixology program showcases bold, umami-rich cocktails that challenge conventional Western palates with savory, spicy, aromatic Southeast Asian ingredients. Each signature drink tells a story rooted in South Asian heritage, incorporating traditional spices, exotic fruits, culinary techniques that transform familiar spirits into extraordinary experiences. The cocktail menu reflects the same innovative approach that earned recognition across Asia's best bars, with cocktails designed to pair with seasonal Southeast Asian cuisine from the integrated Singapura restaurant team. Located at 31 East 20th Street within the Singapura restaurant space, this luxury bar New York City offers an immersive cultural experience that extends beyond exceptional drinks. The atmosphere blends contemporary Manhattan sophistication with Southeast Asian design elements. Guests experience cocktails alongside attentive service, with bartenders sharing the cultural significance behind each drink. Reservations are strongly recommended for this exclusive cocktail lounge, where limited seating ensures personalized attention and an unhurried exploration of Southeast Asian flavors. The integrated dining experience pairs drinks with complementary tastes. It offers a distinctive cocktail experience in Manhattan.
Planning details
- Location
- 690 9th Ave, New York, NY 10036
- Website
- elephantear.com
- Phone
- +1 646-478-8661
The take
The Take
The Vibe
Elephant Bar presents a contemporary, elegant take on cocktail culture, marrying Manhattan polish with Southeast Asian design cues. The space reads as modern and sophisticated while feeling intentionally intimate, which lets the storytelling behind each drink take center stage. Lighting and materials lean toward luxury without being ostentatious, and the bar’s focus on crafted, premium cocktails reinforces a refined but approachable energy. The overall impression is of a thoughtful city bar that values heritage-driven ingredients and deliberate design, making it feel like a carefully curated destination rather than a generic nightspot.
Best For
This is a bar built for discerning evening occasions: quiet date nights, celebratory outings, and stylish after-work drinks. Founded as an extension of an award-winning Southeast Asian cocktail program, Elephant Bar pairs its premium cocktails with seasonal dishes from the integrated Singapura team, making it a natural stop before or during dinner. Its intimate scale and sophisticated presentation make it a good choice for small groups of cocktail-savvy guests or two-person evenings where the focus is on flavor, craft and cultural storytelling rather than rowdy nightlife.
Ordering Tips
Prioritize the bar's signature Southeast Asian–inspired cocktails, which emphasize umami, spice and aromatic ingredients uncommon on typical Western menus. Look for drinks that highlight traditional spices, exotic fruits and savory techniques—these are the items that showcase the concept’s strengths. Because the cocktail program is designed to pair with the Singapura menu, consider ordering a few small plates or seasonal dishes alongside drinks to experience complementary flavor matches. Ask the staff about the stories behind each signature pour if you want guidance toward bolder, savory or spicy profiles.
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