June Baby has opened its doors in New York City. The bar celebrates Filipino culture and brings a new experience to the East Village. It aims to provide a welcoming space for the community.
June Baby Opens in New York’s East Village
June Baby opened on October 28 at 197 Second Avenue in the East Village. Founded by Roxanne Diaz Bangalan, Darwin Pornel, and Ben Rojo, the bar combines Filipino-inspired cocktails and food with artwork by Filipino artists. The bar’s name refers to the Philippines’ Independence Day, which is celebrated on June 12 by Filipino communities worldwide.
June Baby’s East Village location was selected for its history as a neighborhood shaped by immigrant communities. The three founders have experience working at established bars and restaurants in New York and Los Angeles.
Darwin Pornel previously worked with Paradise Projects, the hospitality group behind bars including Mister Paradise. Ben Rojo has worked at several New York and Los Angeles bars and previously operated Black Emperor at the same location. Roxanne Diaz Bangalan’s previous hospitality experience includes work at Faith & Flower and New York’s Union Square Cafe.
Interior and Dining Experience
June Baby was designed to encourage mingling, with its bar seating, standing cocktail tables, banquettes, and a larger seating area. It does not accept reservations, allowing guests to drop in for drinks and food.
The interior features work by Filipino artists from the United States and abroad. The back bar takes inspiration from the rice terraces of the Philippine Cordilleras.
The founders collaborated with Camille Esquivel de la Fé and Adela Locsin of SQVL on the design. Designer Tatsuya Kurihara developed the bar’s logo and visual identity.
Food and Beverage Highlights
June Baby’s cocktail menu combines familiar drinks with Filipino ingredients and flavors. Some of the drinks available include:
- Calamansi Hi-Ball: A vodka soda made with calamansi, a citrus fruit popular in the Philippines. A non-alcoholic version is also available.
- Ube Colada: The bar’s take on a piña colada, featuring ube, a purple yam commonly used in Filipino desserts.
- Turon-Tado: A daiquiri inspired by turon, a Filipino snack made with banana and jackfruit.
Chef consultants Kevin Cardenas, Adrian Capellan, and Lem Soriano developed the menu with a focus on Filipino and American comfort food. It includes dishes, which are traditionally served as snacks with drinks.
Menu highlights include Lumpiang Shanghai, Salt & Pepper Kanta Fried Chicken Wings, and the June Baby Burger. The kitchen will remain open late, and the bar plans to offer a special off-menu item near closing time.
