Kabin by Alex Tangen: A Cozy Nordic Escape in the Heart of NYC

Introduction: Bringing the Nordic Spirit to New York

For many New Yorkers, opening a bar is about curating a vibe. For Alex Tangen, it’s about recreating a feeling—specifically, the quiet camaraderie of Norway’s cabin culture and the laid-back hospitality of London’s neighborhood pubs. Her new venture, Kabin, set to open its doors on June 26, is designed to be exactly that: a Scandinavian-inspired cocktail bar that feels like stepping into a Nordic retreat, without ever leaving Manhattan.

But make no mistake—this isn’t a theme bar. Kabin is a deeply personal project born out of cultural memory, industry know-how, and a desire to carve out a space in the city that values warmth, community, and subtle luxury over flash.

The Story Behind the Concept

Tangen’s journey to Kabin started, as many hospitality stories do, with a sense of longing. Born in Britain and raised in Norway, she grew up surrounded by a culture that prized quiet weekends in wooded cabins, comfort food shared among friends, and evenings spent in cozy pubs filled with laughter and aquavit.

When she moved to New York, she found herself craving that atmosphere. Though the city offers a bar for nearly every taste and aesthetic, there was no place that quite captured the mix of intimacy and informality she knew so well.

That gap sparked the idea for Kabin—a bar that would blend the ritual of Scandinavian hospitality with the edge and innovation of New York’s cocktail culture.

She enlisted a team of like-minded professionals, each bringing their own blend of international experience and local savvy. Together, they set out to build a place that doesn’t just serve drinks—it tells a story.

A Bartender’s Philosophy: Hospitality, Heart, and Heritage

Alex Tangen is not a chef by trade, but her approach to running a bar echoes the values of a seasoned restaurateur. For her, hospitality is not performative—it’s rooted in empathy, generosity, and trust.

At Kabin, the focus isn’t only on what’s in the glass—it’s on how people feel when they’re holding it. The design, the menu, the music, and even the pace of service are all deliberately chosen to help guests exhale.

The Scandinavian concept of “koselig”—loosely translated as cozy, but more about a sense of belonging—is central to the Kabin ethos. Tangen and her team want the bar to feel familiar from the first visit, with staff who remember your name, a menu that’s curious but not complicated, and a space that invites conversation, not just Instagram photos.

What Makes the Menu Special

The cocktail program at Kabin is where tradition meets playfulness. Built around Nordic ingredients and techniques, the drinks highlight seasonal herbs, house infusions, and aquavit, the beloved Scandinavian spirit.

Cocktail Highlights

• The Fjord Martini: A crisp, aquavit-forward take on the classic, with dill, dry vermouth, and a briny finish.

• Cabin Coffee: A warm cocktail featuring spiced liqueur, rich coffee, and a whisper of cardamom cream.

• Oslo Sour: A twist on a whiskey sour with lingonberry syrup and egg white for a silky texture and vibrant pink hue.

The food menu balances Scandinavian comfort food with New York sensibilities. Think:

• Meatballs with gravy and lingonberries,

• Caviar-topped potato waffles,

• Smoked trout toast with horseradish cream, and

• Pickled vegetables with seeded rye crisps.

Small plates encourage sharing, just like at a cabin table where meals are communal and conversation is constant.

Design and Atmosphere: Nordic Minimalism Meets NYC Cool

The name Kabin conjures imagery of mountain huts and woodland hideaways, and the space reflects that aesthetic with clean lines, natural wood surfaces, soft ambient lighting, and cozy textures that feel more “weekend in Oslo” than “weeknight in SoHo.”

Tangen deliberately avoided cliché Nordic kitsch. There’s no Viking memorabilia or overly rustic finishes. Instead, the space evokes a modern Scandinavian living room, with thoughtfully selected furnishings, neutral tones, and a layout that makes the bar feel simultaneously spacious and intimate.

The lighting, in particular, plays a key role. It’s warm, indirect, and deliberately low to foster a mood of quiet ease. Whether you’re there for a first date, a solo glass of aquavit, or a night with friends, Kabin is designed to be a soft landing.

Why It Works: A Bar for the Community, Not the Camera

While Kabin arrives at a time when New York’s bar scene is saturated with concepts, its intentionality sets it apart. Tangen isn’t chasing trends—she’s building something sustainable. She sees Kabin not just as a business but as a neighborhood anchor, a place where regulars feel known, where staff feel invested, and where the experience evolves through relationships, not algorithms.

In an industry often obsessed with novelty, Kabin is a refreshing counterpoint: authentic, grounded, and quietly compelling.

Conclusion: A Nordic Hug in the Middle of Manhattan

With Kabin, Alex Tangen has done more than open a cocktail bar—she’s created a cultural bridge, a cozy haven, and a community-driven venue with deep personal roots. It’s not just about aquavit and meatballs (though both are excellent). It’s about bringing a piece of Norwegian soul to the city, one caviar toast and fjord martini at a time.

For those seeking loud music, crowded bars, or cocktail theatrics, Kabin may not be your destination. But for anyone looking for a place that feels like home—even if just for a drink—it’s a beautiful new chapter in New York’s evolving hospitality story.