The Dead Rabbit, the celebrated mid-19th century style Irish drinking tavern based in New York, voted No 1 on the World’s Best Bars 2016, will be making its first appearance in London this summer with an exclusive week long pop-up at Claridge’s in Mayfair.
The brainchild of Irishmen Sean Muldoon and Jack McGarry, who describe it as ‘an Irish bar for the 21st Century’, The Dead Rabbit has also scooped the ‘World’s Best Bar’ and ‘World’s Best Cocktail Menu’ at the prestigious bartenders festival the ‘Tales of the Cocktail’ in 2015, making its landmark three floor building dating back to 1828 in Lower Manhattan, a place of pilgrimage for cocktails lovers from around the world. The bar is named after a notorious Irish street gang that controlled much of Lower Manhattan during the mid-19th century, with the story of gang leader John Morrissey told through its graphic comic style cocktail menu.
The Dead Rabbit pop-up at Claridge’s Bar, from 15th – 22nd August 2017, will recreate the second floor ‘Parlor’ (cocktail cathedral), serving many of their innovative signature cocktails including their renowned Irish Coffee and the contemporary classic Psycho Killer plus specialities from their food menu such as Lobster devilled eggs, Cumberland sausage rolls and The Irish lamb stew. Essential atmospheric elements of The Dead Rabbit from the ragtime piano playing, the welcome drink, comic book cocktail menu and New York style service from Beverage Director Jillian Vose will all work to create a little bit of Manhattan in Mayfair.
Commenting on their upcoming venture in London McGarry said ‘We both used to work at The Merchants hotel in Belfast, so hotel life is in our blood. We’re looking forward to taking up residence in London and bringing some Dead Rabbit magic to such a prestigious address as Claridge’s.’
Denis Broci, Director of Bars at Claridge’s said ‘We are honoured to be welcoming Sean and Jack and the Dead Rabbit team for their first pop up in London. We are sure they will create their own distinct level of excitement and New York edginess not often seen here in Mayfair!’
About the Dead Rabbit
The Dead Rabbit is a tri-level mid-19th century style Irish/New York drinking saloon located at 30 Water Street in Lower Manhattan. The Dead Rabbit won “World’s Best Bar” and “World’s Best Cocktail Menu” Spirited Awards at 2015 Tales of the Cocktail, representing the highest industry accolades, and World’s Best Bar at World’s 50 Best Bars 2016. This follows wins of “Best American Cocktail Bar” and “World’s Best Drinks Selection” in 2014, as well as “World’s Best Cocktail Menu” and “International Bartender of the Year” in 2013.
Housed in a landmarked building dating back to 1828, The Dead Rabbit combines a first-story neighbourhood taproom serving craft beer, bottled punch and Irish whiskey, with a refined second-story cocktail parlor that offers 30 original cocktails. The third-floor’s Occasional Room is available for private events, business meetings and parties. Taking its name from an infamous street gang of the era, The Dead Rabbit is the brainchild of Sean Muldoon with Jack McGarry, both formerly of The Merchant Hotel, which earned the title of “World’s Best Cocktail Bar” at 2010 Tales of the Cocktail. For dining, The Dead Rabbit has an extensive raw bar and dishes inspired by the British Isles, the locality and the era.
