Monkey Thief has made a quiet comeback on Ninth Avenue at the corner of West 51st Street in Hell’s Kitchen, slipping back into the neighborhood as a short-term pop-up while the team works on a permanent space next door. The pan-Asian cocktail bar, known for savory, ingredient-forward drinks, has returned after an abrupt shutdown of its earlier Midtown spot. The reopening has been deliberately low-key, with the bar running in a compact footprint and pouring the same cocktails and serving the small plates regulars know already.
Temporary home at 9th and 51st
As reported by W42ST, Monkey Thief is currently operating out of a short-term storefront that fronts Rita’s at Ninth Avenue and West 51st while construction on the new space continues next door. According to W42ST, the pop-up setup follows the sudden closure of the bar’s prior location and is intended to keep service going during renovations, rather than going dark until the buildout is done.
Menu and address
The Monkey Thief website lists the current address as 754 Ninth Avenue, with a menu focused on pan-Asian cocktails and small plates. The drink list includes the Tom Kha–inspired "Major Tom" along with other savory, spice-forward concoctions; for the full cocktail rundown, check the Monkey Thief website.
Backstory
Monkey Thief first opened in Hell's Kitchen in late 2024 and quickly earned a reputation for inventive, playful cocktails and a cozy vibe. The concept comes from the team behind Sama Street and has drawn attention from local outlets, including The Infatuation, which singled out the Major Tom as a standout.
What to expect
The pop-up is a smaller, stripped-back version of the bar’s usual service, with a tight rotation of plates and cocktails while the permanent space is finished. For patrons, that translates to easier walk-in access and the same flavor-forward drinks in a more compact setting.
For hours, reservations, and updates on the permanent buildout, the bar’s official channels are keeping score, with W42ST carrying the initial report on the reopening. W42ST and the Monkey Thief website remain the key places to watch for any changes as construction wraps up next door.
