The Financial District just got a little cooler with the arrival of Lucky Tiger.
Lucky Tiger has officially opened at 66 Pearl St., offering an Asian-inspired menu, a plethora of creative cocktails, and four distinct spaces designed to give guests a different experience in every room.
From the moment you walk in, the decor takes your breath away — even before the drinks and food can.
Starting in the main room, known as the Dragon Bar, lanterns float overhead, filling the space with a dim, dreamlike glow. Behind the bar, a hand-painted dragon mural offers just a preview of the artwork that awaits, with murals covering the walls throughout the restaurant.
Down the hall, the Night Market room emulates the charm of an Asian street scene, with diners eating at custom-built food carts and booths under a ceiling covered in multi-colored umbrellas.
The Bamboo Grove offers a quieter escape for private diners and draws inspiration from Bali’s monkey forests.
And finally, tucked away in the back is the Toraya Room. This room keeps the vibes going all night. Styled after a Tokyo listening bar, this room features a vinyl turntable DJ setup that will have DJs playing weekly.
Under the towering cherry blossom tree, bartenders mix up innovative cocktails unique to the Toraya bar, adding an extra layer of fun to the Lucky Tiger experience.
With four distinct rooms, the venue makes an ideal backdrop for private events. Whether you are planning a birthday party or an intimate dinner, this space can match any occasion.
Before dinner, drinks are always a must, and Lucky Tiger takes them very seriously.
Beverage Director Tony Milici has crafted a cocktail program built around what people actually like to drink, while still leaving room to have his own fun behind the bar.
“We want to make drinks that people want to drink… but with our ability to execute that on a high level is sort of what we do here.”
Milici has been in the restaurant scene since he was a teenager, but it was not until later that he witnessed the energy and creativity that happens behind the bar. He knew he wanted to be part of it.
“I started working in kitchens when I was like 14…I didn’t realize that really the bar was more of my calling,” Milici remarked. “The real magic of the bar is its less pretentious hospitality, the bar is fun. Bartenders are very sharp thinkers and very fun people to be around, in general.
His expertise shows in drinks like the Atlantic City Baccarat. As Milici puts it, “It almost tastes like calamansi, a lime, and an orange had a child.”
It is a daiquiri made with makrut ‘kaffiir’ syrup, using fresh makrut they bring fresh in-house. It is also mixed with a blend of three rums fat-washed with coconut oil for extra richness.
You can also enjoy a Ralph Mattchia, which is a fruity tasting drink with a matcha rim — or have a mini cocktail for $10 during happy hour from 3 to 7 p.m.
Beyond the Dragon Bar, the Toraya room offers up drinks like the Shrimp Cocktail, a clarified Bloody Mary made with shrimp-infused Grey Goose; the CREA Banana stand which is a banana-infused Michter’s Bourbon old-fashioned; and the Shaolin Stinger, their twist of a vegetal gin mojito.
Whether you sit up front or wander to the back, the goal is the same — to make delicious drinks that leave people wanting more.
“We have this sort of restaurant setting in the front where we feature eight or 10 cocktails that are a little more approachable…Where in the back, we have a bigger bar so we’re able to get a little deeper,” Milici told amNewYork.
Once the cocktails are flowing, the food makes a perfect pairing.
During amNewYork’s visit to Lucky Tiger, the food was just as good as the drinks.
Dishes like the karaage crispy chicken and the Korean short rib tacos were packed with flavor and made this meal one to remember.
Sam Murphy, Project Manager of Lucky Tiger, says he sees the Financial District as the perfect location for Lucky Tiger to grow.
“I would have to highlight what the Financial District has become in recent years, and the shift from a very commercial/corporate scene, to the massive influx of residents that have moved down. We feel very strongly about creating space that both people who work and live downtown can be proud to say belongs to their neighbourhood. We see Lucky Tiger becoming an integral part of the Downtown Nightlife.”
With its doors now open, Lucky Tiger is ready to welcome you in — to learn more and make a reservation visit luckytigernyc.com
