Moby backs vegan cocktail bar in New York

Musician and animal rights activist Moby has teamed up with restaurateur Ravi DeRossi to launch 100% vegan cocktail bar and tapas restaurant Ladybird in New York City’s East Village neighbourhood.

Moby has teamed up with restauranteur Ravi DeRossi to launch 100% vegan cocktail bar

The bar’s extensive drinks programme has been designed by Jane Danger, of Mother of Pearl and Cienfuegos, and Alla Lapushchik of Post Office and OTB.

Every item on the cocktail menu includes at least one vegetable component, from fresh vegetable juices and infusions to edible garnishes.

Drinks include The Dodo’s Conundrum, which contains kale, Cocchi, banana, and lemon; Reunion Ibis, made with basil, cucumber, strawberry, smoked bitters, lemon, and reisling; and Wren’s Shandy, comprising spiced bitters mix, ginger, cinnamon and lime, topped with beer.

The drinks programme has been designed by Jane Danger and Alla Lapushchik

Designed by a two Michelin star chef, the vegetable-focused food offering at Ladybird is structured in the same style as a traditional sushi menu – small plates presented as a list with boxes to check as desired.

The fine dining-style snacks include frisee made with pear, arugula, shiitake and fried onions with a sherry vinaigrette, and vauliflower with zucchini noodles and basil in a Bolognese sauce.

DeRossi is currently working towards converting all 15 of his restaurants and bars into vegan businesses.

“I’ve been vegan for 30 years, and promoting animal rights is my life’s work,” said Moby, who invested an undisclosed amount in the project. “Luckily not everything involving the promotion of animal rights and veganism has to be grim and tough.

“Sometimes one of the best ways of promoting plant-based eating is by serving people wonderful food in a beautiful space.”