Patent Coffee + Patent Pending

When Ryan McKenzie first hammered into a wall during construction on the subterranean level of the Radio Wave Building, now home to his dual-concept Patent Coffee + Patent Pending in Manhattan’s NoMad neighborhood, he was amazed to discover a trove of 20th century treasures -- playing cards, milk bottles, oyster shells, pen ink and newspapers from the 1900s revealed themselves, hidden away in the original arches of the landmarked building.

Once known as the Gerlach Hotel, the building is now recognized as the former home and study of the “Father of Radio,” Nikola Tesla. Alongside a commemorative plaque on its exterior, the space also pays tribute to the ingenious inventor through McKenzie’s unique, new culinary concept housed in the building’s basement level. By day, Patent Coffee serves single-origin coffee, pastries and snacks; by night, imbibers pass through a secret door to access Patent Pending, a discreet underground cocktail bar.

The concept commemorates the inventor through more than just its name -- the cozy drinking den hidden behind its coffee counterpart highlights Tesla through thoughtful decor and detailed design. Bronze birdcages and framed illustrations of his many patents adorn the walls. A taxidermied pigeon dangles from behind the bar, inspired by Tesla’s bizarre love for the bird -- as patrons buzz in to the speakeasy from street level, a spotlight strikes the bird, alerting the staff of guests’ arrivals. The shop’s entryway is also outfitted with a custom sign made up of channel letters (a nod to Patent’s innovative former resident).

The spirit of Nikola Tesla imbues throughout the bar menu as well. Divided into four Teslian categories – Energy, Frequency, Vibration and Descent – the menu boasts craft cocktails with names linked to the Radio Wave Building and Tesla himself, such as Odd Love (rye, Spanish brandy, Patent coffee, walnut, cherry, absinthe), for his infatuation with pigeons. The artistic menu not only showcases drink ingredients alongside sketches of each cocktail, it also has its own Tesla index, carefully depicting every historical reference mapped out within the menu’s 28 pages.