West 26th Street heats up with 5 new venues

With a bevy of cool new bars and restaurants on a single block, the Flatiron District’s 26th Street is really heating up.

Flatiron Hall

With its handsome polished wood bar and chandeliers, you might think this watering hole dates back 100 years — but you’d be off by about 99 years and six months. Still, when it looks this good, who cares if it’s ersatz old-timey New York? The 6-month-old establishment has an impressive array of house beers brewed by Greenpoint Beerworks, including the Orange Blossom Light (a fruity light beer, $5 for a small) and Oatmeal Stout ($6), on tap. The mixed drinks have a retro vibe: Burnham’s Folly ($14) — a combination of Grey Goose Pear, Bombay Sapphire, cucumber, jalapeño, lemon and orange — takes its name from the old alias given to architect Daniel Burnham’s Flatiron Building.

38 W. 26th St.; flatironhall.com, 646-790-3200

Maysville

While Texas has long had a stake on 26th Street, with beloved barbecue joint Hill Country, Kentucky has moved in with this restaurant and bourbon bar. There are more than 200 whiskies on offer, from the cheap and cheerful Kentucky Gentleman ($1 for a 1-ounce taste) to the super-pricey Michter 20-year single-barrel bourbon ($120 for a 2-ounce glass). But don’t just go for the hooch. Chef Kyle Knall’s Southern fare is not to be missed. Try the luscious crispy chicken ($27), served with navy beans and crimini mushrooms and herb dumplings.

17 W. 26th St.; maysvillenyc.com, 646-490-8240Maysville

Toshi’s Living Room and Penthouse

Go by the lit-up space on the corner of 26th Street and Broadway any time past 10 o’clock, and you’re liable to see young men and women dancing atop plush couches and chairs with cocktails in hand. Welcome to Toshi’s place. The spacious lounge within the Flatiron Hotel is a swinging scene, thanks to live music six nights a week: sometimes local indie acts, sometimes big names — like Ryan Innis, from “The Voice,” who played here last week. The man behind it all is Robert “Toshi” Chan, a notorious hotelier who’s had some brushes with the law and played a gang boss in Martin Scorsese’s “The Departed.”

1141 Broadway; toshislivingroom.com, 917-432-8810

Melt Shop

Need a greasy hangover cure after too much late-night fun on 26th Street? Head to the new Flatiron location of this upscale grilled cheese shop the morning after. For breakfast, there’s a refined take on an “egg and cheese,” featuring aged cheddar and scrambled eggs on sourdough bread ($5.05). Or opt for something with more kick like the “buffalo blue” ($8.95, above) with chicken and pepper jack and blue cheeses. And don’t forget a side of shop tots ($2.95).

55 W. 26th St.; meltshopnyc.com, 212-447-6358

Han Jan

In its first few months of life, this Korean gastropub from Hooni Kim, the chef behind the Michelinstarred Danji in Hell’s Kitchen, had interminable waits. Thankfully, it’s died down a bit, making it easier to get in to try Kim’s kimchi and brisket fried rice ($20). It’s sweet and spicy, almost like a Korean version of paella. And don’t miss the skewers (left): everything from “fresh kill” chicken hearts (don’t ask) for $6 to spicy barbecue pork belly for $10. Perfectly charred, perfectly seasoned, perfectly delicious.

36 W. 26th St.; hanjan26 .com, 212-206-7226