The new upscale lounge space is in partnership with Tao Group Hospitality.

Bar CC wants to get the party started — and keep it going.

The new cocktail lounge, located in West Chelsea, is an extension of restaurant and membership-based Crane Club. For Bar CC, co-owners Jeff Katz and chef Melissa Rodriguez, who teamed up with Tao Group Hospitality to open Crane Club in 2024, brought Harrison Ginsberg onboard as a partner to oversee the beverage program. Ginsberg previously worked at downtown restaurants Crown Shy, Saga and Overstory, all cofounded by Katz at 70 Pine Street.

“ We originally were going to do a much more cut-and-dry extension of the Crane restaurant spaces,” says Katz of their approach to Bar CC, which takes over the space previously occupied by the team’s pizzeria Mel’s, which closed in early 2025. “What we’ve decided makes much more sense and is something that can support the Crane Club experience in a different way,” he adds. “ Crane was: we’re gonna crush this amazing food, service, quality, and we’re going to do it in a high-energy space alongside the Tao team. Can we apply the same logic to the cocktail space?”

After serving as the founding beverage director at Overstory, which ranks on “The World’s 50 Best Bars” list, Ginsberg has come onboard to lead the bar menu at Bar CC. His approach to cocktails veers “lighter and brighter,” with a focus on unique flavors and ingredients presented in familiar, approachable formats.

“The cocktail landscape has gotten savory and very experimental, and while I use all those things, I also love strawberries, and I also love simple flavors,” he says.

Source link