New York Distilling Company has turned its Bushwick distillery into more than a place to make booze. Jaywalker, a new cocktail bar and event space tucked inside the facility, opened Thursday (June 11) with a 3,000-square-foot tasting room that puts the company’s own spirits at center stage. Guests can expect guided tastings, immersive blending sessions and a summer cocktail lineup built around Jaywalk Rye and Dorothy Parker Gin, with the room pitched as both a neighborhood hangout and a hub for live music and private events.
Where It Sits And The License
City records show Jaywalker listed under New York Distilling Company at 573 Johnson Avenue in Bushwick, according to Brooklyn Community Board No. 1. The venue is registered as a bar or tavern and is permitted for occasional acoustic and jazz performances. Those public filings line up with state licensing entries for Jaywalker and indicate that the distillery’s tasting room operates within the same premises as its production facilities.
Menu And Cocktails
Bartender Jamie Gordon is steering Jaywalker’s cocktail program, using New York Distilling Company spirits to riff on classics and roll out seasonal frozen options. Among the standouts are a Floral Arrangement Martini and an Egg Cream that combines Jaywalk Bonded Rye with Ferrand Cognac. Many of the classic variations are priced at US$12, and the opening slate includes guided tastings and immersive blending experiences, according to The Spirits Business.
Space And Design
New York Distilling Company describes Jaywalker as “an ode to the city's artists and rebels,” and the interiors lean into that mood with industrial textures, oversized murals, leather banquettes and velvet upholstery. The 3,000-square-foot room comes equipped with a state-of-the-art sound system and layouts that can be adapted for events. Kings Co Imperial is supplying small plates, including chicken wontons and cold sesame noodles. Those design and layout details are outlined in industry reporting such as Decanter.
Ownership And Growth
New York Distilling Company was acquired by Scotland-based Loch Lomond Group in May 2025, a move the buyer said would support investment in distillation, production capabilities and the visitor experience. The deal brought Jaywalk Rye and the distillery’s gin portfolio into Loch Lomond’s global distribution network, according to a company announcement on the Loch Lomond Group blog.
What To Expect
With production and tasting under one roof, Jaywalker is set up for tastings, DJ nights and private events, all while spotlighting heirloom Horton Rye expressions. The opening concept leans toward education and hands-on experimentation rather than spectacle, which positions the bar as a draw for both whiskey enthusiasts and neighborhood regulars. Visitors are encouraged to watch New York Distilling Company channels for booking information and event schedules.
Jaywalker represents the distillery’s latest effort to make its Brooklyn site function as both a working production facility and a place to drink locally made spirits. As the bar settles into Bushwick’s growing cocktail scene, a steady run of tastings and events is expected to follow.
