Taylor Swift may be touring outside of New York City for the foreseeable future, but Swifties have yet another place to celebrate their fandom.
Champagne Problems, a Swift-themed speakeasy, opened at 207 Bowery on the Lower East Side earlier this summer, offering a space for Swift’s fans to congregate beyond the Eras Tour.
Accessible behind a chip wall that opens to reveal a hidden door, Champagne Problems is adorned with eclectic decor at every turn, including a Moet & Chandon vending machine offering mini 187ml bottles of the Champagne. Guests can dive into an oversize Champagne coupe filled with ping pong sized bubbles for a photo opp, or pose with a contemporary Swiftie mural on the wall, featuring portraits of local heros Beyonce, Jay-Z and more superstars illuminated by the bar’s chandeliers.
Of course, in true Taylor fashion, Champagne Problems is full of Easter eggs only the most dedicated of fans may see. Those who don’t want to wait for a server at the table or mixologist at the bar can also press an express button to order Champagne. The bilevel lounge offers intimate and group seating, and a TV plays Swift’s music videos constantly, though on mute. A gallery wall of gaudily framed photos of famous Champagne drinkers adds to the vibes.
Inspired by a Vegas supper club, Champagne Problems is local hospitality company The Bond Group’s third venture in Manhattan and certainly has a social media friendly aesthetic.
To eat, the chip themed entryway ties in, with many dishes served alongside a bag of chips. While Swift herself isn’t a noted fan of chips (with the exception of a tortilla chip in her burrito, for crunch), the saltiness certainly balances out all the bubbly.
The food menu, organized between lighter fare and medium fare, has no clear ties to Swift, but the chip theme is certainly strong. Potato and Eggplant Frites are served with Doritos Cool Ranch Dressing, Korean fried hot dogs with mozzarella come with Ruffles and Cup Noodle ramen, tempura shrimp is served with kettle chips and steak tartare is served with Lay’s lime Pringle chips. It’s almost as if the menu is designed to make guests drink more Champagne…
Champagne Problems is Tuesday – Sunday, starting at 5 p.m. Dinner is served until 11 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and drinks are served until 2:00 a.m. Friday and Saturdays offer dinner until midnight, and drinks until 3:00 a.m.