Set the Scene
Tucked along Avenue B in Alphabet City, Oddball feels like stepping into a technicolor time warp–part ‘70s lounge, part ‘80s sci-fi daydream, filtered through a distinctly downtown lens.
The room buzzes with personality: mini mushroom lamps glow softly on the tabletops, orb and neon lighting fixtures cast a nostalgic haze, and vintage Japanese movie and music posters line the walls.
Stainless steel elements sharpen the space, while unapologetic pops of banana yellow keep things buoyant and bright. It’s retro and immersive without trying too hard–exactly the kind of environment that invites curiosity before guests even open the menu.
Created by partners LaTeisha Moore and Phil Reichenberger, Oddball announces itself as a place where experimentation and invention aren’t just encouraged–it’s the whole point.
The Drinks
Oddball’s cocktail menu is a choose-your-own-adventure approach to drinking that rewards exploration.
Ease into the evening with “Easygoing” selections like the Pseudo-Banana, a quietly surreal mix of gin, grapefruit, jicama, mango, and a whisper of synthesized banana that somehow works better than it should.
From there, things ramp up into “Energetic” territory: RUBIK riffs on a clarified gimlet dressed in Miami Vice colors, blending coconut gin, strawberry amaro, and mushroom oil, while Far Side delivers a sharp, savory jolt with fig leaf tequila, cilantro, dill, pineapple, and tomatillo brine.
Finish strong with “Explorative” cocktails like Infinite Loop, a globe-trotting take on a Vesper Martini layered with sesame- and hazelnut-infused gin, guava, whey brandy, and white aperitif.
Rotating specials keep the experience unpredictable–the R & Daiquiri shifts with whatever’s happening in the prep lab, and Blind Box Punch is quite literally left to chance, with weekly dice rolls determining its final form.
The Food
The kitchen keeps pace with the bar’s creativity. Snackable but thoughtful, the menu includes Doughboys stuffed with mushrooms or beef, a deeply comforting Bean Dip + Fry Bread with pintos, salsa macha, and sumac honey served with Grandma Kathy’s fry bread. A nostalgic-sweet finale comes in the form of PB & J Pie with Concord grape curd, Ezekiel bread crust, peanut streusel, and whipped crema.
Final Thoughts
Oddball is less about perfection and more about possibility–a bar that invites you to play, taste, and wander somewhere unexpected.
Fast Facts
Location: Alphabet City
Cuisine: Cocktail Bar
Price Point: $$
Takes Reservations: Yes – Resy
The Vibe: Curious and joyfully eccentric, expect incredible sips and psychedelic vibes
Our Favorite Thing on the Menu: The Attire: Smart Casual
Hours: Oddball is open Wednesday to Saturday from 6:00 PM to 1:00 AM.
New York City, New York, United States
