It’s a schmear campaign.
Santa Claus may be coming to town, but the city’s first Hanukkah pop-up pub, Maccabee Bar, arrives at Ollie’s in the West Village beginning Tuesday.
The breezy Downing Street cantina will be transformed into a festive nosh pit, with “special decor, themed cocktails and traditional bites.”
The Hanukkah haven is the brainchild of award-winning mixologist Naomi Levy, 36, who introduced the concept to Boston in 2018.
The Beantown bartender felt there was room for a gelt-y pleasure.
“I love Christmas and all of the Christmas bars that pop up this time of year,” said Levy. “But I always felt like a tourist. There was never really anything for someone like me that wasn’t raised with Christmas.”
Maccabee Bar, arrives at Ollie’s in the West Village beginning Tuesday. EZRA POLLARD
Ollie’s will be transformed into a festive nosh pit, with “special decor, themed cocktails and traditional bites.” EZRA POLLARDPatrons can sample the Latke Sour, featuring apple brandy, potato, lemon and tobacco bitters; along with the Hebrew Hammer, which spotlights vodka, “leavened” sugar, lemon and raspberry — which takes its flavor from sufganiyot, the jelly-filled doughnuts traditionally eaten for Hanukkah. Overall, there will be nine themed cocktails and three spirit-free options.
“The latke sour is a lot of fun. It’s not often people see potatoes in a cocktail,” Levy noted.
Maccabee Bar will be hosted by Ollie’s through Dec. 31. The watering hole’s regular hours are Tuesday-Saturday but they will be open for the eight nights of Hanukkah, which begins on Dec. 18.
The pop-up is the brainchild of award-winning mixologist Naomi Levy. EZRA POLLARD
Award-winning bartender Levy felt there was room in NYC for a gelt-y pleasure. EZRA POLLARDOllie’s co-owner Sara Dowling is kvelling over the pop-up.
“When we first learned about the Maccabee bar concept, we immediately knew we wanted to be involved. Although we are not Jewish, we have many Jewish friends, family, and staff members and loved the idea of creating a more inclusive holiday bar scene in New York City,” she said.
“We have been to some of the Christmas themed bars in the past, and always loved how over-the-top, festive, and fun they are. We are incredibly excited to bring that holiday spirit to Hanukkah this year, and hopefully in years to come.”
Said Levy of the holiday schmooze fest: “Come on out. Come grab a drink and play some dreidel.” EZRA POLLARDSaid Levy of the holiday schmooze fest: “Come on out. Come grab a drink and play some dreidel.”
