Kitchen + Kocktails Opens New Venue in Times Square

The Southern comfort food destination brings its signature cocktails and dining experience to New York City.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Dining Out

Bold vector editorial illustration of a cast-iron skillet and crystal cocktail glassware, representing a new Southern-inspired restaurant in New York City.
Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley has expanded its Southern comfort food concept to New York City with a new 10,000 square-foot Times Square location. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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Kitchen + Kocktails by Kevin Kelley has officially launched its newest location in the heart of Times Square. The restaurant offers a wide selection of Southern comfort food and specialty drinks within a sprawling 10,000 square foot space.

Why it matters

The opening marks a significant expansion for the brand, which already operates across several major U.S. cities. This new presence introduces the popular Southern-focused culinary concept to the high-traffic Times Square dining district.

The new restaurant spans 10,000 square feet across two levels, featuring an upstairs dining room and a dedicated downstairs bar area. This expansion adds to the brand's existing portfolio across seven other U.S. cities.

The players

Kevin Kelley

He is the founder and owner of the Kitchen + Kocktails restaurant brand.

The details

Founded and owned by Kevin Kelley, the establishment focuses on a menu centered around Southern-inspired cuisine. Guests can enjoy the multi-level layout that separates formal dining from the cocktail bar environment.

Timeline

  1. The restaurant opened in Times Square in October 2026.

Culture Shift

The restaurant follows the growing trend of Southern-style dining concepts expanding into major metropolitan hubs. This move highlights how regional culinary brands are increasingly targeting high-traffic tourist destinations to scale their national presence.

New Yorkers and visitors now have a new option for Southern-style dining and cocktails in Times Square. The size of the venue suggests a high-capacity environment suitable for both casual visits and larger group gatherings.

The takeaway

This launch represents the continued growth of a brand that has already found success in cities like Dallas, Chicago, and Miami. Diners interested in Southern-inspired menus can now visit the new location in the heart of Manhattan.

What happens next

The brand has announced plans to expand its presence further by opening future locations in Boston and New Orleans.

Further reading

For more on the local food scene, see our Dining Out section.

More information

View the full list of restaurant information menus and hours on the official website.

Source note: This article includes information reported by Broadway World.

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Do you prefer large national restaurant brands opening in your city's major tourist districts?