Grey Hen Rx – located inside Century Grand near 36th Street and Indian School Road – is taking guests on a time-bending journey into the heart of 1920s Chinatown with the launch of M.E. Lee’s House of Exotic Imports, opening Tuesday, September 10.
This all-new experience transforms the space into an homage to the energetic streets of Lower Manhattan’s historic Chinatown, blending storytelling with bold, American-Chinese fusion and one-of-a-kind cocktails.
“Our goal has always been to push boundaries,” Barter & Shake – the hospitality group behind Century Grand – Partner Mat Snapp said. “We’re willing to do what people can’t or won’t do. With this new concept, we’re inviting guests to step off Platform 18 at Century Grand and into an era of mystery, glamour, and discovery, where every corner offers a new surprise.”
Stepping inside the House of Exotic Exports, guests are transported into a lavish 1924 emporium filled with rich decor, moody lighting, and an eclectic mix of music curated in collaboration with local music aficionado and owner of Central Records, Jake Stellarwell. The ambiance suggests a hidden marketplace brimming with exotic treasures. Many of the cocktail offerings are twists on classic Chinese dishes, served in ornate glassware and promising an immersive experience that feels like “time travel in a glass.”
“With every new chapter at Grey Hen, we strive to transport our guests to a different world,” Director of Operations Cortnie Cozeck said. “M.E. Lee’s House of Exotic Imports is not just a bar; it’s a portal to another time where you can lose yourself in the allure of old Chinatown. Each sip reveals a new story.”
Another standout feature of the new experience is a working 1920s phone booth that operates on vintage Buffalo nickels, enabling guests to call numbers from an authentic Manhattan Telephone Directory to uncover hidden stories and secrets.
Patrons can try daring bites like spicy chili peanuts, house-made jerky, and a refreshing cucumber salad, all crafted to pair with the imaginative drinks available within. Every page of the menu is a treasure map, guiding guests through hidden narratives and unexpected flavors that make for a multi-sensory experience.
Guests at Grey Hen Rx can also purchase full bottles of hand-selected spirits from the House of Emporium or to savor the flavors at home. New drinks include:
•Tall Cucumber: Calamansi-Infused Reyka Vodka, Sōtō Sake, Lemon, Culantro, Champagne
•Chop Suey: Mandarin-Infused Bombay Sapphire Gin, Cachaca, Thai Basil, Fernet, Mango, Red Bell Pepper, Carrot, Lemon + Lime
•Very Special Walnut Shrimp: Angel’s Envy Bourbon, Balvenie 14yr Caribbean Cask, Ramazzotti, Vicario Nonino, PX Sherry, Banana
•Wonton Soup: Botanist Gin, Jefferson’s Small Batch Bourbon, Yellow Chartreuse, Angry Duckling Wonton Broth, Lemon, Mandarin, Toasted Sesame, Charred Scallion
•Tom Kha: Coconut-Washed Roku Gin, Lemongrass, Ginger, Lemon + Lime, Fresno Chili Tincture
The new concept will also offer nonalcoholic cocktails. For more information on M.E. Lee’s House of Exotic Imports at the Grey Hen Rx visit centurygrandphx.com.
