Nordic Culture Meets New York City: Kabin
Inspiration from Norway
The simplicity and nature-centric ethos of Nordic culture has made an indelible impact far beyond Scandinavia. From fashion brands like Acne, to food staples including fermented rye bread, to design brands like Ikea, you’ve most likely already bought into the lifestyles inspired by all things Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden.
Nordic culture is close to restaurateur Alex Tangen’s heart. Born and raised in London to Norwegian parents, she’s bringing her Nordic roots to New York City with Kabin, a cocktail bar that seeks to recreate the coziness and community of Norwegian hytte culture, where food and drinks are flowing and the vibes are high.
The Concept
For the uninitiated, hytte directly translates to "cabin." More specifically, it typically refers to a small vacation cabin; many Norwegians flock to one of these abodes that they either own or rent over holidays, for a relaxing escape. Whether they’re along the coast or in the mountains, these cabins allow Norwegians to immerse themselves in nature, which is an essential part of the Nordic lifestyle. And hytte is not to be confused with the Danish concept of hygge, which is defined as an overall cozy vibe.
That hytte cabin culture is what inspired Kabin—both its general atmosphere and its name. Think of it as a little piece of Norway, right in New York City.
Design and Ambiance
When it came to revamping the interiors, Tangen turned to Swedish interior architect and hospitality designer Jeanette Didon, who had previously designed Scandinavian restaurant Aska in Brooklyn. "When I went to Aska, I thought, ‘If I ever manage to open a cocktail bar, I want this to be my designer,’" says Tangen. "So I cold emailed her, and it’s amazing now to be working together."
The design is a beautiful, not gimmicky, blend of natural and moody hues, punctuated by blacks, grays, beiges, and browns. The intensity of Norwegian sauna-inspired seating is softened with lighting underneath, and the street-facing floor-to-ceiling windows bring in the outside energy, rain or shine. Swedish light fixtures and oversized photos, plus a larger-than-life burnt branch from Belgium, round out the eye-catching design elements.
Cocktails and Food
The bar is the focal point, accentuated by carefully-placed antlers on the bar shelves with cocktails served in Norwegian glasses. Tangen hopes it will be the heart of Kabin—the perfect spot to learn about the host of Nordic spirits from knowledgeable bartenders. Industry experts Pamela Wiznitzer and Eloy Pacheco serve as beverage directors, not only brainstorming on top-notch cocktails but also ensuring Kabin is staffed with the right people for the job.
The cocktails pull their names from Norwegian words and have the Nordic ingredients to back them up. For example, the bar’s signature martini, the Kolio, which is split-based between Aquavit and tequila, is named after Tangen’s family cabin in Norway. The Lillesand features lingonberry, and the Oslo is infused with cardamom. Kabin also offers zero-proof beverages, with four non-alcoholic cocktails, including a booze-free martini that’s made with non-alcoholic gin, non-alcoholic bitters, caraway, olive, and verjus.
Chef Spero’s modern tapas menu plays on classic bar favorites with Nordic twists. Highlights include oysters with elderflower, a tuna tostada with nasturtium, Swedish meatballs, beef tartare on Rugbrod rye, and pickled mackerel. The menu’s priciest offering is a caviar dish served with a Norwegian waffle that you can "rip and dip," according to Tangen.
Conclusion
From her own experience, Tangen encourages young, first-time brand owners like herself to be unafraid about asking for help. "Say to them, ‘I don’t know anything about this, can you teach me?’" she advises. "They don’t have to hold your hand and walk you through it, but asking for help and being honest about not knowing it works. That’s how I’ve arrived here. You get so much further by asking for help and advice."
FAQs
Q: What inspired the concept of Kabin?
A: The concept of Kabin was inspired by Norwegian hytte culture, where food and drinks are flowing and the vibes are high.
Q: What kind of design can customers expect at Kabin?
A: The design is a beautiful, not gimmicky, blend of natural and moody hues, punctuated by blacks, grays, beiges, and browns.
Q: What kind of cocktails can customers expect at Kabin?
A: The cocktails pull their names from Norwegian words and have the Nordic ingredients to back them up. For example, the bar’s signature martini, the Kolio, is named after Tangen’s family cabin in Norway.
Q: What kind of food can customers expect at Kabin?
A: Chef Spero’s modern tapas menu plays on classic bar favorites with Nordic twists. Highlights include oysters with elderflower, a tuna tostada with nasturtium, Swedish meatballs, beef tartare on Rugbrod rye, and pickled mackerel.
Q: Is Kabin open for events?
A: Yes, Kabin is open for events, including half buyouts for the back of the bar and events like New York Fashion Week.
