The Pocket - Opening Press Release

The Pocket Debuts in New York City 

New jazz club arrives in Midtown featuring world-class talent and founded by Michelin-starred  hospitality veterans  

NEW YORK, New York, June 1, 2026 – The Pocket, New York City’s new 170-seat jazz club,  begins its early slate of shows today [130 W 46th St, New York, NY 10036]. The sophisticated,  Midtown listening room, nestled within boutique hotel The Muse New York, is designed as a  modern homage to the intimate jazz clubs of 52nd Street in the 1940s and 1950s – built entirely  around the music with an exceptional sound system and clear sightlines for guests seated  throughout the house – and will celebrate its official grand opening night on Monday, June 22,  timed to multiple GRAMMY award and Pulitzer Prize-winning trumpeter Wynton Marsalis’ first  appearance.  

Co-founded by Grant Gardner and Martin Porter, alumni of Jazz Standard, Crane Club, Jazz at  Lincoln Center, and the Blue Note, The Pocket arrives as one of the city’s most dynamic and  inviting live music experiences. Named after the musical term meaning that a group of  performers is perfectly in sync on stage, The Pocket will present a genre-diverse lineup  spanning jazz, Latin music, hip hop, R&B, and soul, enhanced by a timeless, high-caliber food  and beverage program crafted by Culinary Director Anthony Duranti (formerly of Telepan, Del  Posto, and Mel’s). The club opens anchored by premier residencies courtesy of GRAMMY  award-winning Mingus Big Band on Mondays, and GRAMMY-winner and founder of Belongó,  the NYC-based non-profit cultural institution, Arturo O’Farrill, on Tuesdays; additional,  world-class talent on The Pocket’s opening lineup includes 3-time GRAMMY award-winner  Cécile McLorin Salvant; 3-time GRAMMY-nominated artist and figurehead of David Bowie’s last  backing band, Donny McCaslin; and Lakecia Benjamin, whose meteoric rise stemmed from her  time performing with Alicia Keys, Missy Elliott, and Robert Glasper.  

THE TEAM  

Co-founders Grant Gardner and Martin Porter are hospitality and music industry veterans with  deep experience across New York’s storied dining and jazz communities. Gardner built his  career in operations and marketing at the Blue Note, Jazz Standard, and numerous Union  Square Hospitality Group concepts, including Intersect by Lexus, before joining the opening  team of Al Coro, which earned two Michelin stars shortly after debuting in 2022. He later  continued working with chef Melissa Rodriguez at Crane Club.  

Gardner met Porter at Jazz Standard, where their shared musician-first approach began to take  shape. Porter brings more than a decade of programming and marketing experience from  institutions including Jazz at Lincoln Center, Brooklyn Conservatory of Music, and  SummerStage. Together, the duo is creating The Pocket as a modern American jazz club that  pairs thoughtful hospitality with serious musical programming – setting a new standard for the  next generation of live music venues.  

THE FOOD  

The menu draws inspiration from influential jazz cities like New Orleans, Kansas City, Chicago  and, first and foremost, New York City. Starter highlights include Broiled Oysters offered in  Rockefeller, Po’ Boy, or Garlic Parm Butter styles; a playful Oyster Shooter with the choice of  gin, vodka or tequila and the option to add Osetra caviar; and a selection of salads, including  the Muffuletta Chopped New Orleans featuring mortadella, salami, provolone, olives,  Giardiniera, and sesame seeds dressed with banana pepper vinaigrette. Snacks range from Hot  Smoked Trout served with cornbread blinis (guests can add Osetra caviar); Flatbush Jerk  Chicken Wings served with plantains and a side of coconut ranch; and Kansas City-style  Barbeque Nuts.   

For an entree, guests can choose Prime Rib, Roasted Chicken, Fish or a vegetarian offering  of Broccoli Steak with various preparation styles, including Deli with pastrami spice and  mustard jus; Kansas City BBQ; Italian; Parisian and spicy Cajun, allowing guests to  customize their visit every show. Other mains include The Pocket Burger topped with cheddar  cheese and caramelized onion mayo; a Veggie Burger featuring a red bean and rice patty  topped with Cajun mayo; the Prime Rib Chopped Cheese made with onions, cherry peppers  and a provolone cheese sauce; and the Chicago-inspired Deep Dish Lasagna. Dessert  features a nostalgic selection of pies courtesy of Brooklyn’s beloved bakery, Four & Twenty  Blackbirds, including Salted Caramel Apple Crumb, Chocolate Chess, Black Bottom Oat,  Lemon Chess, and Rhubarb Crumble.  

THE DRINKS  

The cocktail program is timeless and centered around expertly executed classics, all of which  are available in large-format serves for up to six guests, allowing groups to indulge without  missing a moment of the music. The menu features a range of martinis like the Fifty Fifty  finished with orange bitters; Vesper made with both vodka and gin, and Cocchi Americano;  Elderflower with St. Germain; Dirty with blue cheese stuffed olives; fruity French made with  Grey Goose, framboise and pineapple; and Cold Brew, The Pocket’s take on an espresso  martini. Old Fashioneds and Manhattans include the Monte Carlo made with rye, Benedictine,  and Angostura bitters; Coffee made with rye, coffee liqueur and orange bitters; and Wisconsin  made with brandy and muddled cherries and oranges. Classically made sparkling cocktails  include the Bellini, Kir Royale and French 75, while agave-forward offerings range from a  classic Margarita and Cadillac to the Oaxacan, featuring both tequila and mezcal.  

Rounding out the program is a rotating, top-tier selection of wine – which is set to grow to 100  distinct offerings – alongside beer, soft drinks and non-alcoholic wines, ensuring there is  something for every guest and every occasion.  

THE DESIGN  

The Pocket takes its cue from the legendary jazz rooms that made 52nd Street famous, creating  a close, immersive listening room where the architecture serves the performance – with rich  acoustics and a clear view of the stage throughout. Materials were intentionally selected for their  ability to wear and evolve over time, allowing the space to develop a natural patina – reflective  of the grit and character of classic, well-loved New York venues. Rich cherry wood millwork,  racing green leather banquettes, and custom semicircular booths create a warm, inviting setting  throughout the dining room. Table seating is complete with white tablecloths and sleek padded  table tops.   

The Pocket is also equipped with a state-of-the-art Fulcrum sound system, and its stage is  anchored by a restored 1964 Steinway grand piano. Subtle design details like rotating archival  artwork and musician-created pieces add a layer of storytelling that connects the club to jazz’s  rich history, while embracing its evolution in New York’s contemporary live music scene.  

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION  

Tickets for The Pocket’s initial lineup of shows are available now via the official venue website.  For more information, please visit thepocketnyc.com and follow @thepocketnyc.