A First Look at Dandelion, the West Village’s Latest Cocktail Destination

A new cocktail bar has arrived in the West Village. Dandelion, opening December 16 on Christopher Street, is the latest project from hospitality veterans Eytan Sugarman and Will Makris. Known for shaping some of New York’s most culturally influential venues, including Zero Bond, White Horse Tavern, and Made in New York Pizza, the duo brings that sensibility to an intimate, art driven bar with a strong focus on atmosphere and design.

Photo Credit: Kelsey Cherry

Photo Credit: Kelsey Cherry

At the heart of Dandelion is a cocktail program led by industry mainstay Keith Larry alongside hospitality consultant John Garda. The beverage menu is organized into distinct sections, beginning with Easy Drinking. This category focuses on light, effervescent cocktails such as highballs and chuhais, including Toji, a slightly carbonated mix of yuzu, bergamot, shochu, tonka, and cardamom, and the Fox, a bright kiwi honey citrus highball finished with a touch of Greek yogurt.

Photo Credit: Kelsey Cherry

Fun and Fresh follows with playful reworks of familiar drinks. Standouts include Cuffing Season, a rye sour layered with brown butter, maple, blackberry, ginger, sage, and mandarin foam, alongside Dandelion’s martini service, which features freezer martinis like the Classic, 50/50, Vesper, and Vodka Dirty. Each is served with elevated garnishes ranging from prosciutto di parma to caviar stuffed olives and parmesan ribbons. More unexpected martini variations include a Greek Martini with mastiha, bay leaves, and shiitake mushroom, as well as a tomato martini made with salted tomato and feta brine.

The Slow Sippers section rounds out the menu with spirit forward selections designed with depth and balance in mind. Highlights include Shades of Green, which blends nori and apple with sherry and Irish whiskey, and G.G., a bittersweet Manhattan combining high proof rye, Spanish brandy, vermouth, and sherry, finished with a gold foil fig garnish.

The food program, created by Chef Franco Sampogna of Michelin starred Frevo, elevates late night bar dining with refined small plates. Highlights include bluefin tuna toast topped with uni and osetra caviar, a wagyu hot dog finished with truffle mayo, and a classic cheesesteak reimagined with prime rib eye and red chimichurri.

Photo Credit: Kelsey Cherry

Photo Credit: Kelsey Cherry

Designed by Emily Pires and Elena Hristu of E&E Creative, the interior is defined by rich materials and low lighting. A softly illuminated 17 seat bar runs the length of the room, finished with fluted paneling and topped in deep green marble with pronounced white veining. Overhead fixtures cast a warm glow across a palette of greens, golds, and amber tones.

Photo Credit: Kelsey Cherry

Photo Credit: Kelsey Cherry

An adjoining lounge introduces curved banquettes, olive and cream velvet armchairs, and marble topped tables, layered with hand painted gold leaf mirrors and vintage inspired wallpaper. Preserved dandelions and an original edition of Great Expectations appear throughout the space, while a full wall of large scale mixed media works by Mexican artist Leopoldo Goút anchors the room. A McIntosh sound system completes the setting.

Dandelion is located at 115 Christopher Street, New York, NY 10014.