Bar Chimera opened its doors in Midtown in early August. The restaurant comes from the group behind Cote, the high-profile Korean steakhouse in Flatiron. On Tuesday evening, the new space on East 52nd Street drew a steady stream of office workers and visitors, many stopping in for cocktails and small plates after work.
The room is dim and lined with velvet banquettes, with a long marble bar stretching the length of the front. Bartenders in pressed white jackets pour highball drinks and stir martinis. Most guests appear to linger over the bar’s signature cocktails, priced at $22 and up, accompanied by raw bar selections and dishes like spicy beef tartare.
The menu includes Korean-influenced snacks alongside classic steakhouse fare. A plate of fried chicken, seasoned with gochugaru and honey, landed on several tables by 8 p.m. The kitchen sends out a handful of larger plates, including a ribeye for two, though the focus remains on small bites and drinks.
Prices reflect the neighborhood and the restaurant’s aspirations. The majority of cocktails and appetizers fall in the $20–$30 range. By Wednesday afternoon, the lunch crowd was more subdued, with a few solo diners reading at the bar, but reservations for the evening hours remain hard to secure this week.
Bar Chimera is open daily from 4 p.m. to midnight, with extended hours on weekends. The team is betting on Midtown’s mix of regulars and visitors, especially during the height of summer when hotel traffic remains strong.