{"id":237910,"date":"2026-05-20T12:19:18","date_gmt":"2026-05-20T12:19:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/237910\/"},"modified":"2026-05-20T12:19:18","modified_gmt":"2026-05-20T12:19:18","slug":"love-thy-neighbor-is-bringing-wasabi-gin-and-tonics-and-wagyu-cocktails-to-nyc","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/237910\/","title":{"rendered":"Love Thy Neighbor is Bringing Wasabi Gin and Tonics and Wagyu Cocktails to NYC"},"content":{"rendered":"

Chef Elias Popa has held onto a single brick for three years.<\/p>\n

He\u2019s moved it around a few times, keeping it first at his now-closed Lower East Side Romanian restaurant, Oti, and later in the confines of his car. But this isn\u2019t just any brick.<\/p>\n

Popa has spent the last several years transforming 55 Christopher Street, the basement-level bar space that once housed the legendary 55 Bar jazz club before it shuttered in 2022. After sitting vacant for years and suffering damage from a fire in the building, the venue had fallen into serious disrepair. When Popa first toured it, the floor was little more than exposed beams.<\/p>\n

During demolition, he came across a loose brick from the exposed wall of the neighboring building: none other than The Stonewall Inn.<\/p>\n

He kept it, waiting for the right moment.<\/p>\n

Now, the brick has found a permanent home, proudly illuminated inside a new gathering space dedicated to community, connection and exceptionally crafted cocktails.<\/p>\n

Tonight, the West Village welcomes Love Thy Neighbor<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"A
\nPhotography courtesy of Aichan Mama| G&T for Neighbors <\/p>\n

Taking inspiration from the queer-friendly neighborhood it calls home, the bar and all-day dining concept follows a simple design philosophy: \u201cno straight lines.\u201d The result is a futuristic, almost spaceship-like interior, with soft tan curves framing booths and tucked-away alcoves in the back. Hidden toward the rear is an especially stunning bathroom that feels as though it\u2019s been carved from a geode.<\/p>\n

Making its intentions clear from the outset, a quote from Marsha P. Johnson is stamped in gold near the entrance: \u201cNo Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All Of Us.\u201d<\/p>\n

As for what\u2019s happening behind the bar, that comes courtesy of cocktail veterans Shigefumi Kabashima and Atsushi Suzuki.<\/p>\n

Kabashima\u2019s r\u00e9sum\u00e9 includes NR and the now-closed ROKC\u2014though much of that menu lives on at NR\u2014while Suzuki previously worked at Angel\u2019s Share<\/a> and helped open Tokyo\u2019s The SG Club<\/a>. He\u2019s also the founder of Tokyo\u2019s The Bellwood<\/a>, the stylish cocktail den that ranked\u00a0number 48<\/a>\u00a0on the World\u2019s 50 Best Bars list in 2025.<\/p>\n

Together, the pair developed a lineup of experimental cocktails rooted in Japanese bartending techniques.<\/p>\n

Highlights include the Tokyo Banana, made with banana-infused whisky and vermouth layered with milk-brew coffee and the savory depth of shio koji, a fermented rice malt seasoning. There\u2019s also the unexpectedly light Wagyu Coke, combining Wagyu fat-washed bourbon, house cola syrup and clarified black cherry pur\u00e9e.<\/p>\n

But the standout may be the G&T for Neighbors.<\/p>\n

Built around a gin gently infused with enough wasabi to create a subtle sinus tingle, the drink balances elderflower, lychee juice, clarified celery and tonic. Not a gin and tonic person? It can also be prepared martini-style.<\/p>\n

Food comes from chef Takanori Akiyama, previously of Tsukimi, who leans into Japanese-inspired tapas, sandos and share plates. Opening dishes include karaage with br\u00fbl\u00e9ed lemon and a pastrami tartare that nods to Popa\u2019s Romanian roots.<\/p>\n

Soon, Love Thy Neighbor plans to expand with sushi developed in collaboration with Tokyo\u2019s Bellwood, alongside a daytime caf\u00e9 and brunch program.<\/p>\n

For now, though, guests can stop by in the evenings, settle in and share a little love\u2014and a few cocktails\u2014with their neighbors.<\/p>\n

Love Thy Neighbor will operate Tuesday through Sunday from 5pm to close.<\/p>\n