Photos and reporting by Stacie Joy
A new small-plates cocktail bar called Much Obliged soft opens today at 42 Avenue B from husband-and-wife team Marcos Fernandez and Allyx Seemann, who also own Gator in Greenpoint.
When the pair decided to expand into Manhattan, Seemann said returning to the East Village felt personal.
"After living many years of my 20s in the East Village, it felt like coming home. There really isn't any other neighborhood compared to the East Village in terms of the delicate balance of nightlife, community, diversity, and artistry," she told us. "To be able to share our vision and passion with a community so enthralled in art is so exciting for us as artists ourselves. Everyone that we've met so far has been incredibly welcoming, and we're hoping that our excitement to serve this community is well received!"
We stopped by on Monday evening during a friends-and-family event... dishes included a yellowfin crudo and a hake fillet sandwich...
Despite the small space between Third Street and Fourth Street, Much Obliged is designed for lingering.
"Whether you just want a snack or a full meal, we have created an atmosphere to sit and slow down," Seemann said.
Opening hours:
• Wednesday/Thursday/Sunday: 5:30 p.m. to midnight
• Friday/Saturday: 5:30 p.m. to 1 a.m.
You can follow Much Obliged on Instagram.
