Scandinavian retreat. Memories of KABIN, an elevated cocktail bar in Hudson Square, NYC.

ABOUT

In Norway, cabins—or hytte—are an integral part of social culture. On any given Friday, you’re more likely to find Scandinavians sneaking off to these retreats than working late at their desks, and hytte are also a favorite place to spend long winter and summer holidays. At KABIN, we celebrate that draw to nature and good times among friends, creating an urban haven where New Yorkers can set their worries and schedules aside.

At the same time, our “cabin” isn’t your run-of-the-mill log home. Inspired by the simplicity, natural materials and zen-like beauty of Nordic design, KABIN feels like a breath of fresh air in downtown Manhattan. From afterwork drinks and cozy nightcaps, to seasonal celebrations—like Midsommar or Santa Lucia—KABIN is a place you’ll run into close friends, and where even newcomers will be welcomed and cared for.

Founded by Alex Tangen

Born to Norwegian parents and raised in London, Alex grew up between two cultures that would eventually shape KABIN. Norway meant summers by the sea, winters in the mountains, and family cabins passed down through generations, places centered around gathering, slowing down and spending time together.

London brought a different kind of hospitality. Alex loved the neighborhood pub culture, where regulars knew the staff, friends ran into friends, and one drink could easily turn into an entire evening, alongside the city’s more cosmopolitan cocktail scene.

After studying business at The Wharton School and moving to New York, Alex was drawn to the city’s energy but missed that same sense of familiarity. She began imagining a place that combined the warmth of a Norwegian cabin, the community of a London neighborhood pub, and the energy of New York.

That idea became KABIN, an all-day neighborhood spot designed to evolve from coffee in the morning to cocktails and dinner at night. Nordic influences run through the design, food, coffee and cocktails, but the intention has always been broader: to create somewhere people return to again and again, whether for their morning coffee, an after-work drink, or an entire evening they hadn’t planned on.

For Alex, the best version of KABIN is one where the team knows the regulars, guests stay longer than they intended, and, in a city as big as New York, the room makes life feel just a little bit smaller.