2 days ago
Legendary celeb hotspot Drai's is finally coming to New York City
Usually it's the other way around: New York restaurants getting cloned in Las Vegas. But now, Vegas is sending one of its own to the Big Apple: Drai's Supper Club, an offshoot of the celeb-loved brand with a three-decade legacy, is making its East Coast debut in Manhattan's Meatpacking District on Wednesday, June 11.
And if you're thinking this is just a flashy outpost, you'll stand corrected: It's a full-on reinvention.
Founded in L.A. in 1993 by nightlife impresario Victor Drai and frequented by everyone from Julia Roberts to The Weeknd, Drai's built its rep as a see-and-be-seen spot for high-end dining and entertainment. Now, Victor's 31-year-old son, Dustin Drai, president of Drai's Management Group, is bringing the brand full circle with a glamorous New York City location that honors its glitzy West Coast roots while going all in on food, flair and jazz.
'Bringing Drai's to New York City with this supper club concept is incredibly meaningful for me,' Drai told Time Out. 'It's an homage to where our brand began, a return to the sophisticated dining experience that laid our foundation. We're trying to get back to what we were, but with a more modern feel for today.'
Set at 244 W. 14th Street, in the former home of iconic club Nell's, the space has undergone a full gut renovation: walls have been opened, ceilings have been raised and the kitchen was rebuilt from scratch. Upstairs, guests will find an elegant dining room with floral-accented chairs, live jazz five nights a week and a menu of French-American classics from Executive Chef Yoo Hyun Suk. Downstairs is a moody lounge with clubby vibes and an evolving cocktail program, with a menu of vintage martinis and espresso flights.
'Food is the biggest component,' Drai said. 'In somewhere like New York, how do you stand out? We wanted the venue to speak for itself with amazing food that's colorful and simple.'
Expect elevated takes on Caesar salad, foie gras and a burrata-tomato tart, but Drai is particularly proud of the steak: 'We have the best steak au poivre in the city. It's a big statement, but I stand by that.'
Don't let the black-and-gold facade fool you—this isn't a Vegas-style nightclub transplant. It's a primetime date night destination, with blues and jazz floating through the room, big portions, a retro-luxe atmosphere and a vibe that encourages conversation, not bottle service.
Or as Drai puts it: 'Come for dinner, then go downstairs to the lounge—one stop.'
