[title]
Chef Elias Popa has held onto a single brick for three years.
He’s moved it around a few times, keeping it first at his now-closed Lower East Side Romanian restaurant, Oti, and later in the confines of his car. But this isn’t just any brick.
Popa has spent the last several years transforming 55 Christopher Street, the basement-level bar space that once housed the legendary 55 Bar jazz club before it shuttered in 2022. After sitting vacant for years and suffering damage from a fire in the building, the venue had fallen into serious disrepair. When Popa first toured it, the floor was little more than exposed beams.
During demolition, he came across a loose brick from the exposed wall of the neighboring building: none other than The Stonewall Inn.
He kept it, waiting for the right moment.
Now, the brick has found a permanent home, proudly illuminated inside a new gathering space dedicated to community, connection and exceptionally crafted cocktails.
Tonight, the West Village welcomes Love Thy Neighbor.
Taking inspiration from the queer-friendly neighborhood it calls home, the bar and all-day dining concept follows a simple design philosophy: “no straight lines.” The result is a futuristic, almost spaceship-like interior, with soft tan curves framing booths and tucked-away alcoves in the back. Hidden toward the rear is an especially stunning bathroom that feels as though it’s been carved from a geode.
Making its intentions clear from the outset, a quote from Marsha P. Johnson is stamped in gold near the entrance: “No Pride For Some of Us Without Liberation For All Of Us.”
As for what’s happening behind the bar, that comes courtesy of cocktail veterans Shigefumi Kabashima and Atsushi Suzuki.
Kabashima’s résumé includes NR and the now-closed ROKC—though much of that menu lives on at NR—while Suzuki previously worked at Angel’s Share and helped open Tokyo’s The SG Club. He’s also the founder of Tokyo’s The Bellwood, the stylish cocktail den that ranked number 48 on the World’s 50 Best Bars list in 2025.
Together, the pair developed a lineup of experimental cocktails rooted in Japanese bartending techniques.
Highlights include the Tokyo Banana, made with banana-infused whisky and vermouth layered with milk-brew coffee and the savory depth of shio koji, a fermented rice malt seasoning. There’s also the unexpectedly light Wagyu Coke, combining Wagyu fat-washed bourbon, house cola syrup and clarified black cherry purée.
But the standout may be the G&T for Neighbors.
Built around a gin gently infused with enough wasabi to create a subtle sinus tingle, the drink balances elderflower, lychee juice, clarified celery and tonic. Not a gin and tonic person? It can also be prepared martini-style.
Food comes from chef Takanori Akiyama, previously of Tsukimi, who leans into Japanese-inspired tapas, sandos and share plates. Opening dishes include karaage with brûléed lemon and a pastrami tartare that nods to Popa’s Romanian roots.
Soon, Love Thy Neighbor plans to expand with sushi developed in collaboration with Tokyo’s Bellwood, alongside a daytime café and brunch program.
For now, though, guests can stop by in the evenings, settle in and share a little love—and a few cocktails—with their neighbors.
Love Thy Neighbor will operate Tuesday through Sunday from 5pm to close.