Anthony Ramos, Mojave Grey, and New York’s social set celebrated the glamorous grand opening of the international dining destination, bringing a taste of Saint-Tropez and Paris to Manhattan.
New York’s Meatpacking District is getting its groove back, and VERDE New York is helping lead the charge. The internationally celebrated Mediterranean dining and nightlife destination officially opened its doors on October 8, 2026, with a glamorous, high-energy celebration that brought together celebrities, fashion insiders, hospitality power players, and downtown’s social elite for a night of champagne, music, and unapologetic decadence.
With successful outposts in Paris, Dubai, and Saint-Tropez, VERDE has built a reputation for blending sophisticated Mediterranean cuisine with the infectious energy of Europe’s most fashionable party destinations. Now, the brand is bringing that same seductive formula to Manhattan, transforming 85 Tenth Avenue into a destination where dinner is just the opening act.
A Star-Studded Opening With a Surprise Performance by Mojave Grey
The invite-only grand opening attracted an eclectic mix of New York’s entertainment, fashion, and nightlife crowd, including Hamilton star Anthony Ramos, actors Jocko Sims and Rick Gonzalez, restaurateur Vittorio Assaf, musician Zander Bleck, fashion designer Frederick Anderson, nightlife impresario Richie Romero, and photographer and social fixture Scott Lipps.
Also spotted among the fashionable crowd were Ambra Gutierrez, Eva Shaw, George Wayne, Charlie Walk, Alessandro Brioschi, Matteo Garzia, Alexa Luria, Braylon Browner, and Taras Romanov, alongside a lively mix of models, athletes, entrepreneurs, and hospitality insiders.
DJ Alexander Fahlberg set the tone for the evening before electronic music duo Mojave Grey delivered a surprise live performance that sent the approximately 500 guests into party mode.
Known for their distinctive fusion of electronic dance music, live vocals, electric guitar, and classic rock influences, the rising duo transformed the restaurant into a pulsating dance floor, with an electrifying set that had the entire room on its feet.
As the night progressed, feather-clad showgirls emerged throughout the dining room, performing choreographed routines atop platforms and weaving between tables. The theatrical spectacle, paired with champagne presentations and a soundtrack of infectious dance beats, evoked the extravagant dinner-party culture of Saint-Tropez and the French Riviera.
It was exactly the kind of glamorous, anything-can-happen evening that once defined the Meatpacking District’s legendary nightlife scene.
From Paris to Saint-Tropez: A European Escape in Downtown Manhattan
Located at the intersection of Tenth Avenue and 15th Street, VERDE arrives at a moment when the Meatpacking District is rediscovering its after-dark identity.
Once the epicenter of Manhattan’s early-2000s nightlife, the neighborhood became synonymous with celebrity sightings, exclusive clubs, and fashionable restaurants where the city’s social scene gathered well into the early morning hours.
VERDE’s arrival signals a renewed appetite for the kind of high-energy dining experience that blurs the line between restaurant and nightclub.
Inside, the atmosphere is unapologetically glamorous. Deep jewel tones, rich velvet seating, oversized drapery, mirrored walls, and glittering crystal chandeliers create a seductive setting accented by gold and chrome finishes.
A dramatic illuminated marble bar anchors the space, while an equally striking marble DJ booth serves as the dining room’s centerpiece, signaling that music is as essential to the experience as the menu.
The result is an environment that feels equal parts Parisian supper club, Mediterranean beach destination, and downtown Manhattan hotspot.
Mediterranean Cuisine Meets the Art of Celebration
While the atmosphere may command attention, VERDE’s culinary program is designed to deliver an equally memorable experience.
Helmed by Chef Julien Lee Thibault, the menu draws inspiration from Mediterranean and Provençal traditions, emphasizing fresh seasonal ingredients, premium seafood, expertly grilled vegetables, and vibrant flavors.
Signature dishes designed for sharing encourage the convivial dining style associated with long lunches on the French Riviera and leisurely evenings along the Mediterranean coast.
A carefully curated selection of fine wines, prestige champagnes, signature cocktails, and premium spirits complements the menu, with bottle service and celebratory presentations adding to the restaurant’s theatrical appeal.
The concept is built around a seamless transition from sophisticated dinner to late-night revelry, allowing guests to begin the evening with an intimate meal before the lights dim, the music intensifies, and the restaurant takes on an entirely different personality.
It’s a formula that has become increasingly popular among international luxury travelers seeking destinations that offer exceptional dining and entertainment under one roof.
The Return of the Glamorous Dinner Party
VERDE’s Manhattan debut also speaks to a broader evolution in luxury hospitality, where dining is no longer defined solely by what’s on the plate.
For today’s affluent, experience-driven clientele, atmosphere, entertainment, design, and social connection have become integral parts of a memorable evening.
International hospitality brands are increasingly responding by creating immersive destinations that combine restaurant-quality cuisine with the energy of an exclusive nightlife venue.
VERDE embodies that approach, bringing the spirit of Europe’s celebrated dining capitals to New York while embracing the city’s own appetite for spectacle.
With its glamorous interiors, Mediterranean-inspired menu, international music programming, and lively social scene, the venue is positioning itself as a new gathering place for Manhattan’s fashion, finance, entertainment, and luxury lifestyle communities.
And if the opening celebration was any indication, VERDE isn’t interested in keeping things understated.
From surprise performances and feathered showgirls to champagne-fueled celebrations, the restaurant is embracing a return to the exuberant, see-and-be-seen nightlife that made the Meatpacking District famous.
For New Yorkers who remember the neighborhood’s legendary heyday, VERDE offers a stylish dose of nostalgia with a decidedly international twist.
For a new generation of downtown tastemakers, it may just become the next place to see and be seen.
VERDE New York
Address: 85 Tenth Avenue at West 15th Street, New York, NY
Cuisine: Mediterranean and Provençal
Reservations: www.verde-nyc.com
Instagram: @verde_nyc
