Hey you, can you keep a secret? Word on the street is that there’s a new chicken restaurant opening up on second avenue. But that’s not all, the word on the block is that if you know how to get in, there’s a secret bar in the back. You didn’t hear it from me, though!
That’s right folks, there’s another speakeasy making its way to the East Village, and this time it’s hiding behind a delicious new chicken restaurant. Sincerely, Ophelia is the latest project from Best Speakeasies NYC, a restaurant group founded by Jake Yont, Giovanni Chavarria, and Evan Hawkins.
While NY Speakeasies tend to attract a certain…pomp, Sincerely, Ophelia hopes to marry the exclusivity of a speakeasy with the casual and relaxing environment of a neighborhood bar. Their primary intention is to “bring both creativity and cocktail approachability to establish an unpretentious bar where you can get a great cocktail.” The team behind Ophelia’s wants to put an emphasis on mixology and creativity and veer away from the elitism that sometimes haunts New York.
Like any good underground enterprise though, the team needs a front. And what better front could you ask for than a brand new chicken restaurant? As part of the grander speakeasy concept, Jake and his team will also be opening Chicken & The Egg as a partner restaurant concept to Ophelia’s. The new restaurant will serve crispy chicken sandwiches, fries, and salads all day long, while Ophelia’s will open up at 5pm.
Sincerely, Ophelia/Chicken & The Egg will be replacing Finnerty’s Irish Pub, a popular Irish Pub that catered to San Francisco expats (Shoutout to What Now San Francisco for any Bay Area readers). Moving in to the vacant spot at 221 Second Avenue, the new Speakeasy should be able to fit up to 40 seats, notwithstanding the bar and dance floor. You’ll have to remain patient though as Ophelia’s is still quite a ways away from opening. They’re currently in the process of awaiting further approval of their licenses, and once they get approval they’ll be able to move forward with the project.
