Bar CC Opened in West Chelsea

The new cocktail lounge has launched in the space formerly occupied by the neighborhood pizzeria Mel's.

Updated on Sept. 25, 2026 in Cocktails

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Jeff Katz and Melissa Rodriguez have officially opened Bar CC, a new cocktail lounge in West Chelsea. The venue occupies the former location of the pizzeria Mel's, which closed earlier in 2025.

Why it matters

The opening of Bar CC aims to expand the hospitality footprint of the ownership team in New York City. The venue was specifically designed to support and complement the existing Crane Club experience.

The new establishment features a 25-seat bar and offers a limited food menu consisting of exactly six snack items. The interior was designed by Laseu Studio in collaboration with Tao Group Hospitality.

The players

Jeff Katz

Jeff Katz is a co-owner of the new Bar CC cocktail lounge in West Chelsea.

Melissa Rodriguez

Melissa Rodriguez is a co-owner who partnered to launch the new lounge.

Harrison Ginsberg

Harrison Ginsberg is a partner at Bar CC who oversees the venue's beverage program.

Tao Group Hospitality

Tao Group Hospitality is a major hospitality firm that collaborated on the venue's interior design.

The details

Bar CC features three distinct rooms that highlight a blend of Art Deco and midcentury design elements. Partner Harrison Ginsberg is currently overseeing the beverage program, which emphasizes a curated selection of cocktails and wine.

Pizzeria Mel's closed its location in early 2025.
Crane Club opened in partnership with Tao Group Hospitality in 2024.
Bar CC officially became the subject of reports on September 25, 2026.

Culture Shift

The opening of Bar CC follows a pattern set by the 2024 opening of Crane Club, extending the owners' hospitality strategy in the city. This move reflects a broader trend of operators creating interconnected luxury social environments in West Chelsea.

Visitors to West Chelsea can now access a new venue that blends cocktail service with limited snacks in an Art Deco setting. The lounge is positioned to serve as a high-end social hub for those seeking a lounge experience near the existing Crane Club footprint.

The takeaway

The transformation of the former Mel's pizzeria site into a cocktail-focused lounge signals a shift toward curated evening experiences in West Chelsea. Patrons interested in visiting should be aware that the space prioritizes a limited menu alongside its specialized drink program.