LIVINGWhy The Rhymers' Club in New York City Is the Hottest Spot to Visit
The Rhymers' Club in New York City is one of the hottest places in New York City to visit.
March 7 2025, Published 9:05 a.m. ET
If you're looking for a hotspot in New York City, then OK! has found the place for you.
Nestled in the heart of the East Village, The Rhymers’ Club has everything you could ever want.
The Rhymers' Club is located in the East Village.
"When thinking about our next location, we wanted to bring an unexpected concept to an area that needed something fresh. Our goal was to bring a cool and sexy West Village vibe to East Village, and we thought what better way to catch people off guard than to have a sleek cocktail lounge hidden behind our all-day cafe, Café Maud," Aaron Ashe, co-owner of The Rhymers’ Club, exclusively tells OK!.
"Our owners are from Ireland and it’s always been important for us to stay true to our roots. We’ve found a lot of inspiration from WB Yeats, an Irish poet who founded a secret society in London called The Rhymers’ Club where other young poets and writers could meet to discuss each other's work and art. Our version of The Rhymers’ Club pays homage to that," he continues of the concept.
Many celebrities have visited the restaurants.
The Rhymers' Club, which opened in June 2024, sees loyal customers come in due to the Speakeasy vibes.
"We don’t have the name on the door and it’s on a side street so it’s been cool to see people discovering space organically and then wanting to come back with their friends," Ashe notes. "St. Marks Street and the East Village are usually associated with a grunge vibe so we were looking to bring a polished, approachable and inviting concept for people to gather for all types of occasions. Whether it's date night, out with friends, parties, bridal showers, you name it, we have a space that can cater to all."
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The menu includes pizza, steak and more.
So far, The Rhymers' Club has been well-received and exactly what Ashe and his team have been looking for. "Our cocktail program created by our beverage director, Aurele Berdoz has been extremely successful. Aurele has a passion for spirits and cocktails which can be shown in each of the cocktails at The Rhymer’s Club and sister restaurants, Café Maud & Odd Sister," he explains. "We were recognized by Beli App as one of the top 5 new cocktail bars in 2024, based on over 30 million rankings. A few fan favorites have been the Run To Paradise cocktail, the Coole Swan and the Shaken Hands."
"The Rhymers’ Club is different because it is elevated and complex which stands out in this area of the city, while also still being inviting and a place for anyone and everyone to come together. Unlike some speakeasies, we are not just limited to craft cocktails. Guests can enjoy shared appetizers like the popular Spicy Tuna Crispy Rice, or a full dinner service, including contemporary American dishes like the Steak au Poivre, Spinach & Artichoke ravioli, and pizzas," he adds. "We also just started a Prosecco brunch on Saturday that has become increasingly popular."
Whether you want to celebrate a birthday or bridal shower, the staff can handle anything!
The Rhymers’ Club and Café Maud are the newest locations to join the Manhattan-based hospitality company's expanding portfolio of fan-favorite restaurants in the New York area such as Campangola, Odd Sister, Jackdaw, Dear Maud, Printer’s Alley, Avenida, and The Rutherford.
The partners behind The Rhymers’ Club include Ashe, Jack Watson, Ronan Carter, Paul McDaid and Curt Huegel.
You'll never know who you'll see at The Rhymers' Club or Cafe Maud, as many A-listers have walked in the door such as Leonardo DiCaprio, David Schwimmer, Jason Momoa, Olivia Rodrigo and more.
What are you waiting for? Book you reservation now.
