Famous Lower Manhattan Bar Dead Rabbit Named James Beard Nominee

FINANCIAL DISTRICT — The famous Lower Manhattan bar Dead Rabbit is in the running for a James Beard award for outstanding bar program.

The James Beard Foundation announced nominations for the awards on Wed., Feb. 27 for the award often dubbed the Oscars of the culinary world.

Dead Rabbit is one of two New York City bar programs among 20 semifinalists nationwide.

The Dead Rabbit Grocery and Grog, located at 30 Water St., was named the world's best bar in 2016 after opening in 2013, CNN reported at the time.

"One of our goals was to have the world's best bar recognized as [being] an Irish bar," co-owner Jack McGarry told CNN.

The packed pub has is known for its craft cocktails and extensive whisky list. Eater reported that the bar owners, who hail from Belfast in Northern Ireland, had to either expand their space or turn people away.

McGarry told Eater, however, "An Irish pub should never have a strict-door policy."

Last December, bar owners McGarry and Sean Muldoon completed their expansions to nearly double the size of the bar, Eater reported. The renovations came months after a fire closed the bar for much of July, Forbes reported. The drinks director at the Irish bar, Jillian Vose, was expected to have additional drinks this month, Eater reported at the time.

Frenchette, a French bistro at 241 West Broadway in Tribeca, is another neighborhood spot in the running for a James Beard award. Frenchette is a semifinalist for best new restaurant.

More than 600 judges voted on the nominees nationwide, according to the Foundation. Finalists will be announced next month, and winners will be announced next May.