This Rivington Street ‘Hideout’ is a Dedicated Chai Bar
The Hideout truly is.
Directly across from Rivington House, this new chai bar quietly opened two weeks ago in what was previously a refuge for a string of galleries. The sub-grade storefront received a total makeover and is now a “fishbowl” of sorts.
The Hideout, in the words of owner Christoper Brunet, is a “specialty chai bar that offers gourmet chai with almond or whole and other varieties of tea from Samovar in San Francisco.” Brunet, a New York City native, opened The Hideout as homage to his favorite tea joint in California. They also serve a variety of regular teas including Rooibos, Mint, Earl Grey, English Breakfast, and Jasmine.
42 Rivington itself is a rather sparse, white-box space befitting of the gallery ilk it replaced. Way in the back is the prep area and cash register; one communal table and a few benches hold down the front room.
More from Brunet:
My name is Christopher Brunet and I am the owner. I was born and raised in NYC with a French/American background. I started this business simply because I love chai. I lived in San Francisco for 2 years and was introduced to Samovar randomly while walking down Valencia st. They were really a great inspiration for me. I loved their chai and the aesthetic. When I came back to NY I was depressed because my tea bar that I used hangout at was 3,000 miles away. I was on a NYC chai hunt, when I quickly realized that I would never find a place like Samovar in NYC. It was clear that the only way I would find happiness again would be to bring Samovar to NYC. And now I am here waiting for you, sipping on some amazing chai.
Galleries that previously operated here included Kumukumu, Calado, and Tally Beck.
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