Hell’s Kitchen Local

I don’t find myself in bars too often (I’m such a morning person!), but Vers is definitely one of my more frequent nightlife haunts. I have many fond memories of grabbing drinks with friends here before seeing a Broadway show. I recently attended their monthly musical theatre trivia night and had a great time. I consider myself to be pretty knowledgeable and was very much challenged.

The most quietly radical restaurant in the neighborhood. Fully plant-based and donates 100% of its profits to charitable partners addressing food insecurity, restorative justice, and community wellbeing. As someone who does not eat dairy or pork, I appreciate a place where every dish is thoughtful and abundant, and I can eat anything on the menu. The bar seat is my preferred spot for a full meal on my own.

A coffee shop owned by a Korean-American woman (Vanessa), who researches everything from coffee beans to matcha leaves on the ground in Asia to produce the best-quality coffee and tea in our neighborhood. The owner also started a run club and supports local athletes and sports events. With plenty of seating, it’s a great place to get some work done.

This pizzeria is anything but ordinary. Claudio’s and its staff feel like family to me. They know exactly how I like my Sicilians and have catered many pizza parties for us over the years. They’ve gone above and beyond for us time and time again, which is why I’ll always be grateful for their friendship and support.

A hidden gem for a great massage. Tony and the other therapists here really know what they're doing. I've introduced quite a few friends over the years, and they've all come away impressed. No frills, just skilled hands to help relieve some of the stress and pain of our hardworking Hell’s Kitchen neighbors.

I took my current girlfriend here on one of our first dates.

When I lived in Hell’s Kitchen, I loved coming to Clinton Cove for a picnic, to read, or just take in the river. It reminds me of the beauty of our city.

If you’re lucky enough to catch a show here, you’re guaranteed a great time. The 52nd Street Project does so much for children and our community. The mentorship they provide—connecting kids with professional theater artists and helping them develop their creative voices—is truly remarkable. I would absolutely recommend seeing a performance there.

I’ve made VERS Bar a pseudo second home base for this campaign, bringing the community together first for a Summer House Watch Party with my wife, Darya, and Jackie Cox, then for the LGBTQ+ for Bores canvassing launch earlier this month. There’s something special about a space where you can have a serious conversation about what’s at stake in this election and then turn around and cheer at reality TV together.

While I would never recommend anyone RSVP here, given the ridiculous fee if you cannot hold the reservation or cancel 24 hours before, I have often come to enjoy the view. It is a great date night location since you can get small plates, making it easy to finish up and leave if the vibe is off without being stuck through a big meal.