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Union Square just got a little more mysterious. Hidden beneath Mission Ceviche’s massive flagship restaurant, Sub-Mission is a new subterranean cocktail lounge that mixes speakeasy allure with Peruvian flair—and it’s shaping up to be downtown’s next late-night magnet.
The 1,000-square-foot hideaway, located at 7 East 17th Street, takes the phrase “below the surface” quite literally. Guests descend from the ceviche bar upstairs into a jewel-toned cocoon of gold, green and soft lighting. The centerpiece is a glowing U-shaped bar crowned by a chandelier and flanked by plush banquettes that seat 65. Fashion portraits, moody lamps and color-shifting backlit panels (yes, guests can choose the hue) complete the glamorous tableau.
The team behind Mission Ceviche, consisting of Chef José Luis Chávez and Brice Mastroluca, designed Sub-Mission as a space that evolves throughout the evening. “It can be a chic destination for date nights, a stylish backdrop for catching up with friends, or an easy transition before or after dinner upstairs," the team said in a release.
The drinks program, crafted with Oscar Valle of Mexico City’s world-renowned Licorería Limantour, reimagines familiar cocktails with bold, global twists. Highlights include the Margarita al Pastor with taco-spiced tequila and pineapple, the savory Sub Martini infused with tomato and basil and the Smoking Dove, a mezcal-heavy riff on the Paloma rimmed with grapefruit salt. Those with a sweet tooth should finish with the Velvet Espresso—vodka, cassis and espresso shaken into a smooth nightcap.
The small plates menu brings Mission Ceviche’s Nikkei roots downstairs, pairing Peruvian ingredients with Japanese technique. Think spicy tuna crispy rice with rocoto peppers, truffle mini sliders with manchego and sushi rolls like the Acevichado with shrimp tempura and salmon skin.
Mission Ceviche has come a long way since its 2015 debut at Gansevoort Market. After earning a Michelin nod and a New York Times star for its Upper East Side outpost, the brand’s Union Square flagship cemented it as New York’s largest Peruvian restaurant. Now, it’s gone deeper—literally—with Sub-Mission, a lounge that proves good things happen below ground.
