If you’re tuned into bar culture, you may already know Juliette Larrouy and Moe Aljaff. The two self-proclaimed schmucks made their name at Two Schmucks, the award-winning, five-starred dive bar in Barcelona. After citing professional differences, the team disbanded—but fate had other plans. These two schmucks came stateside with keys to a space in the East Village. Marked by teaser pop-ups and marred by construction delays, schmuck. became one of our most highly anticipated openings in 2024… and 2025. But it seems the build-up paid off: Almost a year after opening, lines continue to stretch down 1st Ave every night.
Much less punk than its predecessor, schmuck.'s front room reads like your most artistic friend's gussied-up lounge, with handsome leather seating, a commanding steel bar and a blue-tiled corner room that somehow gives spa. Cool kids pull up a chair and chat over highballs bursting with tomato sweetness (Bread with Tomatoes) and peanutty tipples that hum with a chili-oil spiked heat (Larb Gai). But it’s a popular hang, and showing up without a reservation will almost certainly mean a wait. Luckily, the back room is ready for all. The walk-in back bar is designed to feel like the natural gathering hub of any house party: the kitchen. The cocktails are just as thoughtful, though the massive wooden table in the center tends to squeeze people into corners if they don’t snag one of the few seats. Still, no matter how laid-back the vibe, these schmucks will take care of you just as well here, too.