Carver Road Hospitality opens The Blue Vault, a new bourbon speakeasy-style bar, in Midtown [305 W 48th St 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10036], joining the group’s existing establishments Starchild Rooftop Bar, Rosevale Cocktail Room, and The Forty Eight (opening this fall).
In collaboration with Remus Bourbon by Ross & Squibb Distillery, The Blue Vault is a curated, immersive experience inspired by the Roaring 20s and the legacy of George Remus, the infamous Prohibition-era bootlegger once dubbed the “King of the Bootleggers.” The space is an intimate lounge and bar offering a one-of-a-kind experience with a floor-to-ceiling exhibit of world-famous theater memorabilia (red boots from Kinky Boots, Elphaba’s hat from Wicked, and more) and inventive, bourbon-based cocktails inspired by Remus Bourbon’s storied history.
The Team
The beverage program is curated by Alec Kass, Beverage Director at Carver Road Hospitality, in collaboration with the bar team at Rosevale Cocktail Room. Carver Road Hospitality was founded in 2020 by award-winning hospitality executive Sean Christie and real estate, media, and marketing executive Nelson Famadas. Their world-class dining, bespoke nightlife, and lounge concepts include Carversteak at Resorts World Las Vegas; Flanker Kitchen + Sporting Club in downtown Salt Lake City; Rosevale Kitchen + Cocktail Room and Starchild Rooftop in New York City; and Seamark Seafood & Cocktails at Encore Boston Harbor.
The award-winning Remus Bourbon is expertly crafted by Master Distiller Ian Stirsman at the historic Ross & Squibb Distillery in Lawrenceburg, Indiana – also known as Whiskey City. Renowned for its high-rye bourbons, the distillery reflects generations of expertise in distilling, aging, and blending American whiskey.
The Cocktails
The Blue Vault experience features a curated list of classic bourbons and innovative, bourbon-based cocktails inspired by the Prohibition era. Guests can choose cocktails like the West Egg Cocktail with bourbon, amaro, peach, cacao, and coconut; the Armed and Dangerous with bourbon, bruleed banana, walnut, and egg white; the Spice Runner with high rye bourbon, rum, mango, lime, and white lotus. Other cocktails include the Silver Screen Sinner with bowling & burch gin, elderflower, lemon, and prosecco; Sangreal Omerta with tequila exotico, pineapple, red chili, red wine; Pink Pony Masquerade with bourbon, espresso, and dark fruit; Ticking Timebomb with tequila exotico, coconut, cucumber, lime, and absinthe-yogurt; Freezer Door Martini with gin, dry vermouth, orange bitters, fixings —or vodka, olive brine, blue cheese olive. Guests may also opt for Minor Offenses: $10 half-sized renditions of classic cocktails, including the Gold Rush, Sazerac, Boulevardier, and Manhattan. An ideal option for those who want to explore the classics without a full-sized commitment, offered from 9pm-11pm.
For the straight-up bourbon drinkers, guests can try the Flight Risk bourbon flight, which includes: Remus Straight Bourbon, Remus Highest Rye Bourbon, Rossville Union Rye, and Remus 9 Year Experimental.
The Food
The Blue Vault’s food menu from chef Daniel Ontiveros features plays on classic American dishes that pair perfectly with Remus Bourbon’s expansive collection. Dishes include Salmon Tartare Cones with avocado mousse, tobiko, rice pearls, and spicy soy; Steak Tartare with cornichons, dijon, frico, and truffle; Crispy Artichokes with green goddess sauce; Arancini with truffle dipping sauce; Deviled Eggs with calabrian chile, crunchy prosciutto; and the team’s signature, The R.V.C. K.F.C., with korean fried chicken sandwich, black sesame aioli, pickled vegetables, salt & vinegar fries; Togarashi Spiced Potato Chips with caviar-chive dip; and a French Fry Trio with truffle aioli, black garlic chili aioli, cilantro green curry sauce.
Design
Designed by Rockwell Group (Coqodaq, Nobu, The EDITION), The Blue Vault pays homage to its home in the heart of the Theater District. The 18-seat tasting room and storytelling space boasts never-before-seen set models of Broadway Shows, rare vintage photos of theater productions, and more. Hidden behind a concealed entrance, the Vault features a collection of rare whiskeys and eclectic artifacts gathered from Remus Bourbon’s storied past — including vintage items sourced from old Broadway backrooms and dressing rooms.
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