A SPEAKEASY-STYLE LOUNGE WITH THE CITY’S BEST NEW COCKTAILS
Midtown Manhattan welcomes a sophisticated cocktail lounge in the historic 601 Lexington building: The Boardroom. Brothers Eric and Jesse Jacobs of Fashioned Hospitality, the duo behind upscale speakeasy J.Bespoke, introduce their newest concept as a sipping and socializing spot for coworkers, clients, CEOs and locals alike. Tucked in the corner of newly renovated food hall The Hugh, The Boardroom brings a uniquely discrete destination to the neighborhood.

“The corporate world needs an elevated cocktail lounge in Midtown,” says co-founder Jesse, who is overseeing the beverage menu along with The Boardroom’s general manager, Hernán Trujillo. “We’re passionate about perfectly executed cocktails, and the opportunity to bring a dynamic beverage menu to a similarly discrete spot in a different part of the city is really exciting.”

LUXE LIBATIONS
The menu offers cocktails for a broad range of palates, from nostalgic classics to fresh innovations. Guests can expect some J.Bespoke signatures, such as The AM Prescription made of Wyoming Whiskey Small Batch Bourbon, Glenfiddich 14-year Bourbon Barrel Reserve Scotch, Laphroaig 10-year Scotch perfume, Montenegro Amaro, fresh lemon juice, honey-ginger, fig preserve, angostura bitters and soda, and the G.O. Paloma with hibiscus-infused Milagro Silver Tequila, Ghost Pepper, Aperol, fresh grapefruit juice, fresh lime juice, ginger and soda.

Additional beverages developed exclusively for The Boardroom include:

  • Boardroom Gimlet: Olive oil & herb–infused Three Olives Vodka, Dolin Blanc Vermouth, cucumber, basil, fresh lime juice, salted olive bitters
  • Café Negroni: Ford’s Gin, Campari, espresso bean–infused Cocchi Barolo Chinato, Mr. Black Coffee
  • Midnight Spritz in Paris: Fort Hamilton Double Barrel Bourbon, Grand Marnier, raspberry-peachmarinade, chamomile, fresh lemon juice, Champagne

A Reserve Old Fashioned list includes an array of variations made with upleveled spirits, such as Glenrothes 18-Year Scotch, Wyoming Single Barrel Bourbon, Bushmills 16-Year Irish Whiskey, Diplomatico Single Vintage Rum and Jose Cuervo De La Familia Extra Añejo Tequila. Alongside cocktails, The Boardroom serves a curated wine-and-beer list, a vintage scotch collection and an assortment of small plates.

AN ALLURING HIDEAWAY
The lounge is accessed through a dramatic industrial door toward the back of the airy food hall, where a sultry, opulent interior awaits. Designed by Brooklyn-based Home Studios, the 60-seat space includes 14 bar seats in addition to several tables with booth seating, juxtaposing deep neutrals with rich, vibrant tones like red and rust. A mural by Angela de Rosette is paired with edgy-editorial photo prints by photographers Demode FM and Paul Himmel, creating an enticingly moody atmosphere that transports guests to a bygone era.

ABOUT FASHIONED HOSPITALITY
Co-founders Jesse and Eric Jacobs have long dreamed of opening their own hospitality business. Three years apart in age, the brothers both attended Boston University and earned degrees in Hospitality Administration; Jesse moved back to New York after graduation and Eric followed suit a few years later. The brothers’ first professional collaboration was at Gerber Group—Jesse was managing Lex Bar at the St. Giles Hotel and brought Eric on board to run promotions. Impressed by their synergy, Gerber Group tapped the duo to open the recently renovated nightclub, Lilium at the W Union Square. Following a successful launch, Eric was promoted to general manager at the Roof at the Viceroy Hotel, while Jesse became regional general manager for all of Gerber Group’s properties at the W Union Square Hotel. Having grown up just outside of New York City, Jesse and Eric are devoted New York sports fans–throughout their 20s, they spent many hours at New York sports bars and high-end cocktail bars. They set out to merge the two and create a more refined, high-end sports lounge with excellent cocktails that would be as appealing to all, founding Fashioned Hospitality in 2017 and opening J.Bespoke in 2019, followed by The Boardroom in 2023.