Tarot-Inspired Cocktail Lounge Opens On The East Side

MIDTOWN EAST, NY — A new cocktail lounge has opened just a short walk from the Upper East Side, bringing tarot-inspired drinks and live jazz to Midtown East.

Called The Empress Room, the lounge officially debuted on Friday on the second floor above Madam Mikette’s, a restaurant and bar located at 987 2nd Ave. between East 52nd and East 53rd streets.

Though technically located in Midtown, the new venue sits close to the Upper East Side, offering neighbors another nightlife option within a quick walk or subway ride.

The Empress Room is designed as a separate concept from the restaurant downstairs — an intimate, candlelit lounge focused on cocktails, small plates and live jazz performances.

Guests enter through Madam Mikette’s before heading upstairs to the second-floor space, which features lounge seating, cocktail tables and a central bar. The room seats about 70 guests and can accommodate up to 225 people standing.

The cocktail program is inspired by tarot cards, with each drink named after one from the deck.

Among the offerings are The Devil, made with brown butter–washed aged rum, black cherry, lemon, cold brew coffee, smoked saline and toasted spice bitters; The Empress, which combines Old Tom gin, Cocchi Americano, yellow Chartreuse, apricot, orgeat and orange bitters; and Six of Swords, a mix of habanero-infused mezcal, fino sherry, lime, pear and yellow bell pepper.

Other drinks include Three of Cups, a blend of tequila blanco, banana, matcha, coconut water, lime, mint, simple syrup and whole milk, and Judgement, a lighter cocktail made with Aperol, Tsuru-Ume yuzu, soda water, prosecco, orange and mint.

The lounge also serves small plates such as tuna tartare, crispy tacos, grilled halloumi with honey and thyme, shrimp tempura with bang bang sauce, lamb sliders with tzatziki, lobster mac and cheese and flatbreads.

The Empress Room is currently open Wednesday and Thursday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m., and Friday from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m.

Know of a business opening or closing in Manhattan? Email Miranda.Levingston@Patch.com.