Award-winning bar owner Julie Reiner along with partners Christine Williams and Susan Fedroff have reimagined Milady’s with a brand spanking new cocktail list, and it’s now officially open!
The original SoHo version of this dive bar–of the same moniker–has been serving guests for over 70 years, and though the name and the vibe have remained the same, the newly updated space is a modern day knockout.
Milady’s closed in 2014 but Reiner and her team had other plans to let this come-one-come-all go-to end there–so they decided to take it back to its roots. “The whole reason we were excited about the space was because of the history, and we want to honor that in a reinvented way,” says Reiner. “At Milady’s, we’ll always be high-quality, but here we’re going to shift focus away from the classics and showcase things that are fun and playful.”
The cocktail list throws it back to a simpler drinking era but reimagined in a new, quality-focused, and creative way. What that means for guests is revamped Apple Martinis, Blue Hawaiians, and even Jell-O shots–which we must look pretty dang cool–along with some of Reiner’s own recipes from the ’90s.
On the food menu you’ll find dishes that pay homage to Milady’s roots as a dive-bar. Classics like potato skins and smash burgers can be found on the “dive” section of the menu, while some newer and more elevated selections, such as duck frites and crab mac and cheese, can be found on the “high dive” menu section.
Plus, as of Wednesday, December 7, SoHo shoppers and visitors can pop in for dive bar-inspired bites and expertly crafted cocktails during lunchtime! Lunch will be served Tuesday through Friday from 12p.m. – 4p.m. and dishes include a classic smash burger and a crispy chicken sandwich as well as a selection of refreshing salads.
Those who frequented the spot years ago will find that the original Milady’s logo will be worked into the branding, and the back room, which used the house a pool table, will be billiard themed. Though none of the original fixtures remain, bright colors and neon sign portraits throw it back to the original dive.
And, in a nod to the “everyone’s invited” attitude, the bar will save a spot for guest bartenders–a spot which Reiner herself has already promised to be at on occasion.
“Bars have sort of a soul to them – the original Milady’s was all about the people, and I remember it was always really fun. If we can capture even a bit of that, I think we’ll be a success,” says Reiner.
Milady’s is officially open and ready to welcome patrons into their newly renovated yet nostalgia-filled space. They’re located at 160 Prince Street in SoHo and will be open Monday-Thursday 12p.m. – 12a.m., Friday 12p.m. – 2a.m., Saturday 11a.m. – 2a.m., and Sunday 11a.m. – 12a.m.