Peck Slip Social, a whiskey-forward bar that blends live music with an inclusive community atmosphere, is the brainchild of Learan Kahanov and Alex Davis. The concept stemmed from a casual conversation between the two co-owners, who bonded over their mutual love for cooking, whiskey, and music. What began as a hypothetical idea—imagining their ideal pursuit outside of their current lives—soon evolved into a tangible plan.
From Fantasy to Reality: The Birth of Peck Slip Social
A Shared Passion: Whiskey, Music, and Community
“When my partner Alex Davis and I started hanging out, I threw out the question “What would you do if not what you’re doing now,” as we had both connected on our love for cooking, whiskey and music,” Learan Kahanov told us. “What started as a “fantasy” eventually turned into a “let’s see what happens” to we are “doing this.” After a deal fell through for another location in our neighborhood, we chose the empty space formerly known as Nelson Blue and Coco Bistro and quickly went to work to get a deal. We signed the lease and got the keys on September 12, went to work quickly on the renovations (the majority of which we did ourselves), and then we officially opened on December 3.”
Building a Dream: Renovations and Grand Opening
After losing out on a previous location, Kahanov and Davis found the perfect spot in a former restaurant space at Peck Slip, signing the lease on September 12 and completing their hands-on renovations before opening the doors on December 3. The result is a vibrant space with roots deeply connected to their passions.
A Whiskey Lover’s Paradise: Curated Selections and Stories
One of the standout features at Peck Slip Social is its impressive whiskey selection, boasting over 100 varieties. “Our Whiskey Collection stems from a few ideas: first and foremost, to offer whisk(e)y lovers and the whisk(e)y-curious an approachable and affordable way to discover new things,” Kahanov explained. The aim is to offer whiskey enthusiasts and the curious alike an accessible but diverse range of spirits. “We look for stories that excite us—they don’t have to be grand, just interesting,” Kahanov explains, referring to brands like Uncle Nearest and Great Jones, the only distillery in Manhattan since Prohibition.
Exploring Diverse Whiskey Varieties
The shelves are stocked with both familiar bottles and unique, lesser-known options, combining their personal flavor preferences with the desire to introduce customers to something special. “We wanted to share what flavor profiles WE like. You will find many bottles on our shelves that you will recognize and many you won’t. We aren’t afraid to not have a “go-to” brand in favor of something unique, and that includes other spirits as well, like gin, tequila and vodka.”
Beyond the Basics: Unique Spirits and Flavors
The cocktail menu is a highly personal endeavor, with drinks named after friends, family members, and even Kahanov’s dog, Fred. While the cocktails build on classic recipes, they incorporate meaningful connections to the people who inspired them. By hiring a beverage director, Kahanov and Davis are committed to growing their beverage offerings and designing new creations alongside refined adaptations of classics. “We didn’t want to reinvent the wheel, but rather offer twists on the classics,” Kahanov told us. “Some of our drinks are closer to the originals than others, but they are all connected to the people we care about—and it’s been an interesting response from our customers. We have recently added a beverage director to our team and plan on continuing to create simple but delicious cocktails, both adaptations and new creations, as Peck Slip Social grows. And, suggestions are always welcome.”
MediterAsian Fusion: A Culinary Journey at Peck Slip Social
The menu, described as “MediterAsian,” is a distinctive fusion of Mediterranean and Asian cuisines, reflecting the owners’ diverse backgrounds and travels. Many of the dishes are influenced by Kahanov’s family recipes, while Chef Taylor Miller brings a specialized focus on Asian flavors. Together, they’ve crafted unique offerings like the Crispy Shrimp with Middle-Eastern spices and tahini-garlic aioli, showcasing the collaboration between Kahanov, Davis, and Chef Miller to create dishes that are both innovative and familiar.
A Blend of Cultures: Unique Menu Offerings
“Our menu stems from Alex and my own backgrounds (Cuban, Italian, Israeli, European), our travels and, simply, what we like to eat,” Kahanov said of the diverse blend of flavor profiles found on the menu. “While most of the cocktail and spirits menu came from Alex’s mind, most of the food menu came from mine. Both of us and Chef Taylor Miller collaborated, but many of the dishes on the menu are things I have been making for years in my own kitchen. Some recipes are family-originated, and some are tweaks and changes I made to other traditional recipes.”
Chef Collaboration: Innovative and Familiar Flavors
“Chef Taylor is a student of food. She brings an expanded knowledge of Asian cuisine that we didn’t have, mostly stemming from her time at Japanese restaurants (Ichiran, Ootoya, Glaze Teriyaki). While the original menu was created by Alex and myself, Chef has not only improved our dishes but has already started creating and collaborating with me on totally new flavor combinations. For example, our new Crispy Shrimp is 100% Chef Taylor’s creation with a mix of Middle-Eastern spices in a tempura batter with a house-made tahini-garlic aioli.”
More Than a Bar: A Hub for Community and Connection
More than just a bar, Peck Slip Social doubles as a community space. Its layout, which features a 24-foot bar dividing different rooms, encourages varied experiences under the same roof. The south side includes games and a pool table, while the north side serves as a performance area. “We are a bar by locals for locals in which EVERYONE is welcome. We want to be a place to gather with friends or to meet new people. Our tables are intentionally communal, and the games and events are just another way to entice our neighbors (near and far) to the bar for an experience different than what is available in the area. Also, having a pool table doesn’t hurt.”
Communal Spaces and Engaging Activities
Events range from live music and trivia nights to book readings and plans for comedy shows. Their communal tables and activities, paired with their involvement in the Old Seaport Alliance, underscore their mission of fostering a welcoming space for locals.
Music and Entertainment: Creating Memorable Experiences
Music plays a pivotal role in the Peck Slip Social experience. From jazz and swing to classic rock and audience sing-alongs, Tuesdays and Thursdays feature live performances spanning a variety of genres. Sundays bring a unique twist with interactive sing-along events where guests are encouraged to take part in the music. The goal is to offer something for everyone, connecting guests through the universal language of music.
“We currently offer music Tuesdays and Thursdays, and on any night, you can experience any variety of musical genres: jazz, acoustic, brass bands, western swing, classic rock, and many more. Sundays are dedicated to “sing-a-longs” where the musicians are tasked with playing songs and getting the crowd to sing along with them. If you are lucky enough, you might even be able to go up on the “stage” and sing with the band. Once again, we strive to create experiences for our customers, like introducing new music to some and bringing in talent that anyone can tap a foot to.”
Brunch and Beyond: Future Plans for Peck Slip Social
A Celebration of Passions: Community, Food, and Music
Peck Slip Social isn’t just a bar; it’s a celebration of passions—from whiskey and food to music and community. Through its carefully curated menus, welcoming design, and roster of events, the bar has established itself as a vibrant gathering place in the Seaport, embodying the resilience and creativity of the neighborhood it proudly serves.
Weekend Brunch: Innovative and Comforting Flavors
Looking ahead, Peck Slip Social plans to expand its offerings with weekend brunch service. Brunch will feature an innovative menu that includes specials like Scrambled Pancakes, espresso-crusted skirt steak with potato-squash hash, and Shakshuka inspired by Kahanov’s family recipes. True to the vision of its founders, brunch is designed to offer a fresh alternative to neighborhood diners while still staying grounded in approachable, comforting flavors.
“We have set up the space with the idea of creating a cohesive atmosphere that can also serve separate functions. Technology plays a role in the way space is laid out. With the south side filled with games, a pool table, as well as an 85” TV, we can separate sound so that the two sides can actually have different experiences. The three six-foot tables on the north side face a performance area where music and other events are held (we have already had a book reading, trivia, multiple music nights, and plans for a comedy night, which are also in the works). The goal is to offer different experiences for our customers while still making sure everyone feels like they are in the same place.”
