Nordic-cool Kabin bar has launched a new cocktail programme based around a fictional airline concept to transport guests to Scandinavia with every sip. Olivia Palamountain reports

Kabin, a Nordic day-to-night café and bar located in New York, has created a new cocktail list themed around "Nordic Air & Travel", designed to transport guests to Scandinavia without leaving Manhattan.

The concept represents an unusual approach to bar theming, with cocktails organised into "See," "Experience" and "Taste" sections that correspond to different aspects of Nordic culture.

The bar's cocktail offerings include playfully named drinks such as "Free Healthcare" - a Penicillin variation - and "Six Months of Winter," described as the establishment's signature martini.     The "Northern Lights" cocktail combines tequila, mezcal and Swedish-style aquavit to create a drink that "lights up like the elusive aurora borealis," whilst the "Kardamom Bun" reimagines the beloved Nordic pastry in liquid form.Owner Alexandra Tangen, who grew up in London with Norwegian parents, opened Kabin in June 2024 with the aim of creating a space that celebrates what she describes as "a new, more diverse Nordic identity." The concept blends Scandinavian hygge with London's communal pub culture and New York's energy.The bar in Hudson Square has now expanded its operating hours to include weekday coffee service from 7.30am to 3pm, drawing inspiration from Norway's "kaffe og vafler" and Sweden's "fika" traditions. Classic espresso drinks use La Cabra's signature roast, whilst pour-overs feature specialty Nordic offerings including a collaboration with Norwegian coffee roaster Tim Wendelboe.
The food menu maintains the Nordic focus with dishes including Swedish meatballs with lingonberry jam, Hasselback potatoes with Jarlsberg cheese béchamel and Norwegian waffles with vanilla crème anglaise. The approach reflects what Tangen describes as "cabin-style tradition" encouraging guests to share dishes.Kabin operates coffee service Monday through Friday, reopening for evening bar service with varying hours throughout the week. The establishment accepts walk-ins and takes reservations through Resy.