Jeff Bell, the veteran bartender best known for his long run at PDT, has quietly debuted Highball Ltd., a hidden speakeasy tucked into the 11th-floor Meeting Galleries at 10 Grand Central. To get in, guests are told to hunt for a small red light on Third Avenue near East 44th Street, then ride the freight elevator up to the meeting-level hub like they know exactly what they are doing.
Highball Ltd. occupies a slice of the Meeting Galleries, an 11,000-square-foot amenity floor that also includes a Podcast Gallery, a plush Screening Gallery with a 150-inch screen, and a 200-person Grand Gallery. The entire space leans into the golden age of luxury train travel, and the bar’s name nods both to the classic highball cocktail and to a railroad signal, as reported by Time Out.
How to Find It
Marx Realty announced the opening on its LinkedIn page, teasing that Highball LTD “arrives next Friday” and instructing would-be visitors to slip in under a red light on Third Avenue near 44th Street before taking the freight elevator to the 11th floor, according to Marx Realty. The company notes that walk-ins are welcome, although reservations are encouraged via the booking link in its update.
Inside the Meeting Galleries
The Meeting Galleries are a multi-space amenity carved into the office tower, and Time Out reports that Bell partnered with Marx Realty to create a speakeasy-style spot with what the outlet calls a “complex entry process.” The design is meant to feel like a luxe bar car, with rich materials and theatrical touches that echo Grand Central’s railroading history.
Bell's Other Projects
Highball Ltd. is just Bell’s latest move. He and longtime PDT colleague Victor López opened Mixteca and the taqueria Tacos 1986 at 1 Cornelia Street, and Bell also recently launched Kees, a subterranean lounge in the West Village. Resy’s coverage of those projects and Bell’s pedigree at PDT helps explain why a tucked-away Grand Central bar from him is already drawing attention, per Resy.
For now, Marx Realty’s LinkedIn post points guests to the reservation link for details on timing and availability, and walk-ins can still try their luck. We will update if Highball eventually posts official hours or a full menu online.
