If things have been feeling dreary lately, we’ve got the spot to bring back your spark. Lucky Tiger, which just opened at 66 Pearl St., is a fun, bold space with drinks to match. Candy-colored paper lanterns and umbrellas cover the ceilings, filling the room with a warm, cheerful glow. Pro tip: As much as you may want to, don’t just grab the first seats you see at the bar. Take a stroll through the dining room, which is every bit as eye-catching with enormous art pieces, greenery and floor-to-ceiling windows which will transport you to another world, the likes of a Japanese izakaya or a night market in Bangkok. At the other end of the dining room, there’s a hallway that leads to a second bar, which — you guessed it — is just as vibrant as the rest of the place. Lucky Tiger is a feast for your eyes as well as your taste buds.
Once you’ve staked out your spot, it’s time to order a beverage. The cocktails here range from creative — like the Improved Carrot Drink, made with mezcal, frothy carrot juice and Thai chili — to classics like the Liquid Swords, a freezer-cold dirty martini made with gin or vodka. On a recent visit, we taste-tested the Ralph Mattchia, which is made with refreshing cucumber vodka, ginger, pineapple, lemon and matcha. On a hot day, it hits the spot. The drink menu also includes an assortment of sake, beer, wine and mocktails.
But Lucky Tiger isn’t just all about the drinks, and getting some bites to go with your bevs is a must. The menu draws inspiration from a variety of cultures (mostly Asian), with items like kara’age chicken bao buns, Kashmiri turmeric curry, lemongrass chicken satay skewers, shrimp dumplings and more. It also has a selection of tacos, including Korean short rib tacos, Peking duck tacos and shiso tomatillo mahi mahi tacos.
With a sexy, fun atmosphere, delicious food and fantastic drinks, there aren’t many occasions where Lucky Tiger wouldn’t be a great choice. It’s an ideal early-date spot since you can always chat about the interesting decor if you hit a lull in the conversation, but it’s also a great spot to go with your coworkers when you need to be a little dazzled, or to take out-of-towners for a memorable NYC experience. Of course, you can also stop by solo to treat yourself just because.
photos: courtesy Lucky Tiger
