Hey, put your records on.
Chat 'n Chew becomes Another Country, a place for cocktails and vinyl, inspired by Prince.
Before I was married and moved to Brooklyn, I lived in Union Square, on 17th Street between 3rd and Irving; a wonderful little neighborhood (before it essentially became part of the NYU campus). I lived down the street from the best farmer’s market in the city, a few doors from Bar Jamon and Casa Mono, steps from Yama, a couple of blocks from 71 Irving, and close to the Coffee Shop (now sadly a Chase Bank), and the Chat n Chew diner. Now that storied spot for hearty hangover breakfasts has become Another Country, a lovely new bar doing craft cocktails and cool snacks, with a stellar collection of vinyl.
Another Country is named for the James Baldwin novel, a favorite book of owners Mark Connell and Timothy Jenkins (pictured below), longtime friends and industry veterans. Mark was a founding partner in Estela and is a current partner in Oma Grassa, Nowadays, and more, in addition to Botanica. Timothy, who recently moved back to NYC after nearly a decade in LA, has worked in NYC at Double Happiness and The Box, in addition to holding DJ residencies at the Ace Hotel in downtown LA and Pravda in NYC. Another Country is their first hospitality venture together. So yeah, you could say they’ve got some relevant experience.
On the cocktail menu overseen by Katie Wiskoski you’ll find fun references to the music like, “The Plural of Vinyl is Vinyl,” with mezcal, rum, calamansi, pineapple and banana, and Rufus (rye, vanilla liqueur, Cynar, bitters). The beer selection is mostly local (Threes, Talea) alongside a small list of wines and ciders by the glass as well as spirit-free options.
Consulting chef Daniel Newburg, formerly of Estela, created the menu which is overseen by Andres de la Fé (formerly of Heavy Woods). They’re shopping at the Union Square Farmers’ Market right down the block for dishes like a radicchio Caesar salad, a mortadella sandwich, cauliflower with chiles and capers, crunchy buttermilk fried chicken, and more. There are also serving Church peanuts (yay!) and tinned fish (naturally).
All the vinyl displayed and played is from Timothy’s personal collection, ranging from Prince, who is an ersatz patron saint, spiritual guide for the bar, to Ravel. “Whether it’s Aretha’s Amazing Grace or Bach’s Sacred Cantatas or the funky grooves of the Universal Togetherness Band, music provokes thought and movement,” Timothy said in the press release. “If we’re lucky, one’s mind, booty, and spirit is touched. At Another Country, we hope to reach your spirit. Be it the music, the food, the drink, our kind staff, or a combination of all, we hope you’ll leave a little lifted.”
Another Country is located at 10 East 16th Street (between Fifth Ave and Union Square West) walk-ins welcome; Resy coming soon.
Monday through Wednesday 5:00 pm - midnight
Thursday 5:00 pm - 1:00 am
Friday & Saturday 5:00 pm - 2:00 am
www.anothercountry.nyc
IG: @anothercountrynyc
*adds to list*