When the last industrially zoned spot in Soho was rezoned to accommodate commercial uses, the new Obivia bar and lounge found a home. Located on the corner of Lafayette and Kenmare, Obivia is an elegant lounge, with the cozy ambiance of an old friend's living room. Comfortable couches and low tables invite you to relax and exchange New York City stories while sipping drinks into the night. A warm amber glow is cast everywhere from beautiful antique lighting fixtures. The music is funky and ranges from George Clinton to rhythm and blues to late night jazz. Five plasma screen televisions are displayed, each playing its own B movie, like constantly changing works of art.  

Obivia is the creation of Michael Matzo and Craig Skiptunis, partners who first met while working together at a wine bar in the Wall Street area. Matzo was the bartender and Skiptunis, the manager. They vowed to collaborate one day and create the perfect lounge bar. Obivia is the result of their collaboration, using Matzo's edgy sense of style from his years at FIT and Skiptunis' savvy restaurant knowledge from his education at the Culinary Institute of America and his experience running his own successful restaurant, Bistro Ten 18 on the Upper West Side, known for its award winning wine list. Their popular new lounge, Obivia, is the perfect spot for relaxing, talking, drinking and listening to music in the fashionable Soho neighborhood.

Innovative Liquor Choices
New drinks have been launched, made of concoctions that appeal to anyone with a taste for the unusual like the Soho Lychee Martini with Jean Marc XO Vodka, Soho Lychee Liqueur, lime, and lychee. Old favorites are also served like the Old Fashioned, Pink Lady, Grasshopper, and Manhattan. There's a list of 14 Martinis that pays homage to drinks from the days when a three martini lunch was de rigueur. The featured Obivia Martini includes Absolut Vanilla with Godiva White Chocolate Liqueur, raspberry puree, accompanied by a chocolate twist stick skewered with raspberries and mint.
 
Flights of Liquor include three different brands in each flight. They can be requested for vodka, gin, rum, whisky, tequila and brandy. There are 20 wines that can be ordered by the glass. Three beers are on tap, and 25 are available by the bottle.
 
Liquor Lockers can be rented for $500 per year. If you've ordered bottle service but haven't finished it, just store in your locker for the next visit. Renting a liquor locker also entitles you to VIP priority seating.

Light Dining and Desserts
Tapas are served with a Mediterranean theme. Perfect for sharing, plates for the table include cheese, tomato bruschetta, thin crust pizza, chips & dip, and crudités. A choice of nine smaller plates offer a variety of flavors, ranging from filet mignon crostini to stuffed dates. For a lighter snack, Obivia's signature grilled cheese, with Applewood bacon, pepperjack, smoked maple cheddar and tomato, is one of four sandwiches available.
 
Tapas specials are featured for holidays. On Memorial Day there will be a half rack of BBQ spare ribs with served with baked beans and corn on the cob. The Po' Boy Sandwich with Fried Shrimp and Remoulade, and Andouille Sausage en Croute have become Mardis Gras traditions at Obivia.
 
A dessert menu with tempting choices like chocolate fondue, brownies, cookies, and fresh berries satisfy the need for something sweet.

Obivia is named after Matzo's daughter, Olivia. When she was a toddler, Matzo would chase away her tears with streams of words that rhymed with her name, and Obivia was one of the words that would always quiet her.