Author: Site Adminstrator

A new cocktail and vinyl bar just opened in Long Island City, and the vibes are on point, particularly for nostalgic Millennials.

929, a cocktail bar channeling Chinese diasporic nostalgia aims to evoke childhood memories from first-generation guests, as well as introduce all imbibers to the flavors, sights and sounds of growing up Chinese American. The bar focuses on creative cocktails, plus a playlist of rare vinyl records spinning Canto- and Mando-pop tunes.  

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The project is founder Haoran Chen’s homage to the music scene of Mainland China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, and his upbringing as a first-gen Chinese American. The cocktails are inspired by treats and flavors often found in the Chinese diaspora. Menu highlights include Love is Like a Bad Cold, named after a hit song by Taiwanese artist Yuki Hsu, a cocktail with a whiskey base incorporating Nin Jiom Herbal Syrup, a traditional herbal syrup commonly used as a cough remedy

Leslie’s Sleepless Night is a tribute to the Asian pop icon Leslie Cheung, and mixes ceylon-infused scotch, sweet vermouth flavored with coffee and condensed milk foam to reimagine the Manhattan with the flavor profiles of yinyeung, a classic Hong Kong beverage combining coffee and tea. The Most Familiar Stranger, inspired by the 1999 ballad by pop diva Elva Hsiao, evokes the essence of three-cup chicken, a popular Taiwanese dish, through basil-infused gin and maple foam made with soy sauce and soy milk.

Other odes to Chinese pop culture in the ’80s and ’90s include movie posters and Chen’s personal vinyl collection. A professional artist and graphic designer, he conceptualized the 1,100-square-foot space from the ground up, aiming to create a love letter to his lifelong passions. 

“929 celebrates everything close to my heart, the flavors and the pop culture that defined my youth and made me who I am today,” said Chen. “Growing up, I didn’t know anyone who shared my interests and struggled to find a sense of belonging. I started 929 not just to celebrate the things I love, but also to create a space for anyone who, like me, struggled to find a community. It doesn’t matter if you’re familiar with the music or the flavors here. This is a place where anyone can have a drink, listen to records, and feel comfortable to be their most authentic selves.”

To find the speakeasy-style cocktail bar, you’ll have to walk through a discreet door within Gulp, a casual Taiwanese restaurant at 42-45 27th Street in Long Island City. 929 offers a menu of shareable bites from Gulp, including braised meat platters, spicy peanuts, and Taiwanese popcorn chicken. In addition to cocktails, 929 will also feature a curated selection of low-intervention wines, beers and spirits, with a focus on East Asian and Asian American producers.

929 is currently open Fridays and Saturdays from 5pm – 1am and Sundays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5pm to 12am.  

* This article was originally published here