Midtown East now has a new spot to contemplate your fate over a stiff drink. A hidden tarot-themed cocktail lounge called The Empress Room has quietly opened above Madam Mikette’s, offering a candlelit hideaway with tarot-named cocktails, live jazz and shareable small plates in an intimate space made for lingering. The upstairs room is designed to work as both a late-night escape and a low-key hangout for small groups.
The Empress Room officially opened on March 6 and is entered through Madam Mikette’s, where guests slip upstairs into a room that fits roughly 70 seated patrons. The cocktail program is built around tarot cards, with creations like The Devil and The Empress pairing unexpected flavors that nod to their names, as reported by Time Out.
Tarot cocktails and small plates
On the menu, The Devil, a brown butter–washed aged rum drink with black cherry, cold brew and smoked saline, leans into the theme with a rich, moody profile. The Six of Swords goes in a different direction, bringing heat with habanero-infused mezcal and yellow bell pepper. For something lighter, the lounge also offers spritz-style options alongside shareable plates that include tuna tartare tacos, shrimp tempura with bang-bang sauce, lamb sliders and lobster mac and cheese, as covered by Patch.
Hours and bookings
The Empress Room is currently open Wednesday to Thursday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. and Friday from 7 p.m. to 1 a.m. Reservations are available through Resy. For building details and booking information, see Madam Mikette’s.
Why it matters
The Empress Room repurposes an upstairs event room that was previously marketed for private parties, shifting a rentable space into a nightly cocktail lounge for Midtown East. Earlier venue listings that advertised an "Empress Room" upstairs suggest the team has moved from occasional rentals to a permanent concept, per Tagvenue.
