Bartender and entrepreneur Mr Lyan is putting down roots in the Big Apple with Seed Library New York, due to open in autumn 2025. For the first time, his presence in the city is not a pop-up or a cameo, but a project built to last.
Seed Library New York, the First NYC Cocktail Bar by Mr Lyan
Ryan Chetiyawardana, known as Mr Lyan,begins his New York chapter in NoMad. The name, North of Madison Square, marks a grid of streets that has changed dramatically in recent years: once more low-key, now a hub of polished hotels, luxury apartments, and a food-and-drink scene with serious ambitions. At 444 Park Avenue stands Hotel Park Ave, home to Seed Library New York. Entry is via a dedicated door, then down to the lower level.
From London to New York
A reputation forged in London set the stage, with bars that drew global spotlights, including The World’s 50 Best Bars list. The story starts in 2013 with White Lyan. A year later came Dandelyan, later rebranded Lyaness. In 2022, Seed Library opened in East London. Between 2014 and 2022 there was time to reach Amsterdam with Super Lyan, and the United States with Silver Lyan in Washington, DC, the first venue on American soil.
Back to Seed Library in London: the kinship with Seed Library New York is explicit. The idea is to carry over the English bar’s atmosphere and tune it to the New York scene. Two threads tie the spaces together—creativity that sidesteps pretension and a warm, inclusive sense of hospitality—while the hallmark is the classic Manhattan bar style that the new Seed Library sets out to honor.
What to Expect from Seed Library New York
Ryan Chetiyawardana has a clear aim: to turn Seed Library New York into “a new neighborhood reference point, elegant yet accessible, experimental yet grounded.” The menu will alternate twists on classics with a set of bespoke signatures. There will also be wine, craft beer, artisanal spirits and liqueurs, and sake, all curated with the lowest possible environmental impact. Expect a selection of snacks to pair with the drinks and a seasoned team of professionals, including familiar faces from other Lyan bars.
Images courtesy Mr Lyan
