Seamstress Bringing Serious Cocktails, Heavy on the Classics, to UES Very Soon

The Upper East Side isn't exactly cocktail central, but Josh Mazza and Steve Laycock of The Gilroy are planning to open a bar and restaurant called Seamstress in the old JBird space in early February. The duo is teaming up with Pamela Wiznitzer, one of the original bartenders of the Dead Rabbit, who spent the summer researching drinks across the country, to create a long Americana drink list. She plans to offer a menu of 18 to 25 signatures with sections like large format, low-proof, and spirit forward cocktails. There will also be a list of 50 American classics that will always be available. Plus, there will be a regularly rotating cocktail with all the proceeds going to a charity. She's also getting a hand from master barman David Wondrich in creating the menu.

Food will come from Ducks Eatery's Will Horowitz. The menu isn't set yet, but expect a raw bar and several roasts. A burger also seems likely. Keeping with the Seamstress theme, there will be a small boutique where diners can buy leather goods and mixology aprons.

Before Seamstress officially opens, Illegal Mezcal is hosting a mezcal and tamale pop-up in the space through January 24.