Hanukkah bar to open in New York in December

Every year in New York City there are many ways to celebrate Hanukkah. But never before has there been a Hanukkah-themed bar in the city… until now, reports timeout.

Award-winning bartender Naomi Levy opened Maccabee Bar in Boston back in 2018. And on December 13 in New York in Ollie West Village at 64 Downing Street by Varick Street, a pop-up with a good name will debut.

Let's start with the name of the bar. As fellow Jews know, the Maccabees led an uprising against Antiochus Epiphanes IV, ruler of the Syrian kingdom, who tried to suppress the practice of Judaism throughout his reign. The successful Maccabean rebellion is one of the many historical events celebrated during Hanukkah.

“I love Christmas and all the Christmas bars that pop up this time of year,” Levy said. “But I have always felt like a tourist. In fact, for someone like me, there has never been anything that has anything to do with Christmas.”

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As a result, Levy launched the Hanukkah Wonderland, which not only serves themed cocktails and traditional snacks, but also looks the part, with decor reminiscent of the Jewish holiday.

Standout drinks on the menu include Latke Saur (apple brandy with lemon and tobacco bitterness) and Jewish Hammer (vodka, “leavened” sugar, lemon and raspberry, reminiscent of sufganiot, jelly-filled donuts commonly eaten at this time of year). Yes, there will be latkes and other snacks.

Maccabee Bar will be open until December 31 from Tuesday to Saturday. During the week of Hanukkah, which this year falls on December 18-26, the bar plans to be open every night.