Little Rascal (130 Franklin St) has opened a Greenpoint outpost of the popular Nolita Mediterranean restaurant. The new location inhabits a prime space on a bustling section of Franklin Street that used to be Magazine Bar before it closed in 2020. Before that, the space was occupied by Shayz Lounge, which closed in the beginning of 2019 after a decade in Greenpoint.
The Greenpoint location of Little Rascal features a more extensive cocktail program than the Manhattan location and is currently in a soft opening phase featuring cocktails, but waiting on more staffing to introduce food. The bar opened on May 26th, and is having a grand opening party on Saturday, June 4th.
Owners, Oner and Halil Gundogdu, are longtime Greenpoint residents, and excited to introduce the neighborhood to Little Rascal. Oner told Greenpointers that in order to start food service, they will need more staff, citing the industry-wide shortage.
Little Rascal’s lack of food was not a deterrent for local Greenpoint residents over Memorial Day Weekend. Foot traffic was incredibly high with locals stopping by just to check it out.
According to Beverage Director, Keith Larry, “The neighborhood response has been great… far beyond what I expected. We had no idea we would be so busy.” Larry added that he really loves the neighborhood and has enjoyed the “quality of human in Greenpoint.” Aw!
Larry proudly gushed that patrons have been excited about the cocktail menu he created for Little Rascal. One favorite is the Cosmic Debris, made with real fruity pebbles and meant to conjure memories of the childhood cereal.
Another enticing option is El Cantinero, one of Keith’s favorite cocktails on the menu. It can be made with tequila or mezcal and is mixed with grapefruit cordial, lime, habanero shrub, pink peppercorn, and charred rosemary. It’s similar to an elevated Paloma.
The ambience at Little Rascal is a blend of a cozy cocktail bar with upbeat party vibes. The bar’s interior is thoughtfully decorated, and there is covered outdoor seating on the Franklin Street sidewalk. But, perhaps, the ideal location to try one of Larry’s creative cocktails is in Little Rascal’s garden behind the restaurant. It’s incredibly pretty with florals, string lights and comfy couches.
Just like in the field of dreams, build an overpriced hipster bar and/or restaurant and they will come.
Don’t get me wrong, the place looks beautiful but you need to decide whether to pay the rent or eat here.
I don’t get it.