Kabin, a Scandinavian Bar by Alexandra Tangen, Has Found Its Place in SoHo

Inspired by the Norwegian cabins she grew up in, Alexandra Tangen set out to create a Scandinavian cocktail bar in New York City, with Kabin opening in SoHo in the summer of 2024. Born and raised in London to two Norwegian parents, Alex studied business at the University of Pennsylvania before realizing that the corporate world was not for her.

After relocating to New York in early 2023, Alex felt a strong desire to build community. Her new dream became creating a space where people could come together. That is where the idea for Kabin NYC was born.

With no prior experience in hospitality, opening a SoHo cocktail bar could have been daunting. However, Alex’s business background gave her a strong foundation and a level head. She loves going to bars and began wondering how she could create one of her own. One of the first people she spoke to was Swedish interior designer Jeanette Didon, who has designed several high-profile New York spots such as Pinky Swear, Pietro Nolita, and the Michelin-starred Aska in Brooklyn.

Visiting Aska inspired Alex to reach out. “Whoever designed this restaurant has to be the designer of my bar.” She pitched her idea for a Norwegian hideaway in Manhattan, and Didon, eager to support other women, helped Alex kickstart the project.

Alex loves Nordic design, so Kabin features black leather couches, a banquette inspired by a sauna, hot-rolled steel, and lighting imported from Sweden and Denmark. She wanted to showcase as many Scandinavian brands as possible. Together, the two created an inviting space. Large windows bring in natural light, and in the summer, bifold doors open to create an alfresco area with outdoor seating. Large wooden beams help the space feel intimate. The ceilings are high, but the beams give the illusion of a lower ceiling, essentially building a cabin inside the restaurant.

Courtesy: Kabin

In Scandinavia, cabin culture plays a major role in people’s lives. It is where they spend weekends, vacations, summers, and winters. “It’s an all year ritual.” Photos from Alex’s own Norwegian cabin decorate the bathrooms, adding a personal yet elevated touch. Guests often comment that it feels like a cabin in New York.

Knowing it would be challenging to enter the industry without experience, Alex shadowed at several restaurants. After a steep learning curve, she began raising funding. She invested in her opening team, bringing in top industry names such as Eloy Pacheco of Dante to create the cocktail menu, award-winning mixologist Pam Wiznitzer, and Michelin-starred chef Johnny Spero to develop the food program. Having such high-caliber collaborators helped attract strong hires, which Alex notes is one of the toughest parts of running a bar in New York City.

Originally intended as only a cocktail bar, Kabin NYC quickly evolved. Early regulars mentioned they wished it were open during the day, and Alex listened. She added a professional barista and fresh baked treats. She also continued refining the space to make it more communal. The menu now changes seasonally, the space is pet friendly, and they plan to offer Saturday brunch reservations, expanding Kabin beyond a typical SoHo bar.

Courtesy: Kabin

We visited on a Monday evening and were pleasantly surprised by the atmosphere. Kabin was busy, but not overcrowded. A group of women gathered at the bar, three friends shared a snack in the corner, and a couple nearby appeared to be on a first date. It was cold outside, but inside, the space felt warm and inviting. Candles flickered on each table, creating a cozy, almost fireside escape from the city. The staff were welcoming and made us feel like regulars.

We sampled the Swedish meatballs and loved the combination of sauces. The tart lingonberry jam complemented the flavors perfectly. The waffle was a pleasant surprise, lighter than expected. As someone with a sweet tooth who often finds American desserts overwhelming, this was just right. The standout, however, was the Kabin fries, perfectly cooked and served with a zesty aioli. They are the kind of fries you keep thinking about afterward. The only drawback was that, while prices align with other SoHo restaurants, the portions felt somewhat small.

The drinks feature playful, inventive names inspired by Scandinavian culture, including the Northern Lights, The Scream, The Right to Roam, and Free Healthcare, Kabin’s take on a penicillin cocktail. The Earl Grey foam on my drink was a highlight, unique and delicious. One of my favorite details was the drinks menu, designed like a retro ski brochure. Touches like this bring the entire concept together and help Kabin stand out in the New York cocktail bar scene.

We love restaurants that tell a story.

Alex knew she wanted to open her bar in New York City. “If I can do it here, I can do it anywhere.” She describes the city as energizing. She also admits to getting starstruck by Norwegian celebrities. Recently, Johannes Høsflot Klæbo, the record-holding Olympic cross-country skier, stopped by for interviews, a major moment for the team. Next on her wishlist are Kygo and Erling Haaland.

At just 28, Alex has been running her own bar for nearly two years, an impressive achievement in New York’s competitive restaurant scene, especially as an introvert. Her favorite part of owning Kabin is hosting friends and family. It is, as she describes it, “kind of unique… a cabin within New York City.”

The concept has grown so much that it is hard to define in a single sentence. “It’s a retreat away from NYC.” Alex has faced challenges as a young woman in a male-dominated industry, but her success has surprised and impressed many back home. Now, she finds it especially rewarding when Norwegians visit Kabin while in the city. Airline crews stop by during layovers, and Norwegian companies host events there. Even her father holds corporate gatherings at the bar when he visits, both out of pride and because he genuinely loves the space.

If cabin culture is calling to you, or if you are simply looking for a new SoHo cocktail bar, Kabin is worth a visit. You can book the space for private events, reserve a curtained section for a dinner party, or stop in for a drink in one of their lounge areas. Kabin fills a unique niche in the NYC bar scene, and Alex’s willingness to listen to her customers and evolve accordingly is part of what makes it work.

“I’m doing this because it’s so rewarding. I love seeing the space full and seeing people enjoying what I’ve built.” Plus, bar dog Nala is waiting to charm you.

Kabin is located at 300 Spring Street in SoHo and is open Monday through Saturday.