Eat Drink & Be Merry

What Eat Drink & Be Merry does

Eat Drink & Be Merry Hospitality is a privately held, founder-owned hospitality group operating a diversified portfolio of 15 bars, restaurants, and event venues across three U.S. metropolitan markets: New York City (8 venues), Chicago (4 venues), and Charleston, South Carolina (3 venues). The company began in 1991 as a small basement bar in NYC's West Village and has grown organically over more than three decades through a combination of new openings and selective acquisitions of established local establishments (such as Cleo's Pub, Jack & Ginger's, and Fatso's Last Stand in Chicago in 2010). Its portfolio spans iconic neighborhood bars (Jake's Dilemma, The Gin Mill, Off the Wagon), elevated culinary concepts (Uptown Social, Share House), event venues (The Waverly), and a sandwich and co-working concept (Bodega).

The company operates three distinct revenue streams. The primary stream is food and beverage sales across its 15 bar and restaurant locations, offering classic American pub fare and cocktails. The second stream is private event services, delivered through a full-time in-house events team with 25+ years of combined experience, which manages 18 exclusive event spaces accommodating 10 to 500 guests; the booking workflow runs on Tripleseat software. The third stream is merchandise sales through a Shopify-powered e-commerce storefront selling branded apparel and accessories at $20-$65 price points. The company also operates a brand partnerships business targeting sponsorship and activation opportunities, channeled through a dedicated marketing contact.

The technology stack is commodity third-party SaaS: Tripleseat for event booking, Shopify for e-commerce, and GetBento for the website. There are no proprietary software products, no AI capabilities, no patents, and no disclosed institutional ownership or funding. The company is led by Managing Partner Andrew Neesley, who manages partnerships and brand activations. Customer-facing go-to-market is primarily direct, including walk-in patronage, event inquiries via the website, and digital marketing through Instagram and Facebook.

Name

Eat Drink & Be Merry

Legal name

Eat, Drink & Be Merry Hospitality

Website

https://eatdrinkandbemerry.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Eat Drink & Be Merry is a privately held hospitality group operating 15 bars, restaurants, and 18 event spaces across NYC, Chicago, and Charleston, serving local patrons, private event guests, and brand partners via in-house events planning and a merchandise storefront.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hospitality Services

NAICS

Drinking Places (Alcoholic Beverages) (7224), Full-Service Restaurants (722511), Food Services and Drinking Places (722)

SIC

Retail-Eating & Drinking Places (5810), Retail-Eating Places (5812)

akta.pro primary industry

Neighborhood Bars & Taverns (CRANACAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Cocktail Lounges & Speakeasies (MPAGAIAD), Cocktail Bars & Lounges (CRANACAD), Special Occasion & Destination Restaurants (THAFACAK), Beverage Services (Bar Catering, Mixology, Beverage Programs) (THAHAKAJ), Bar & Beverage Catering (Mobile Bar, Bartending) (HSACAGAF)

Keywords

• Bar and restaurant operations
• Private event venues
• Hospitality services
• Event planning services
• Branded merchandise

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Food and Beverage Sales: Revenue from 15 bars and restaurants across New York, Chicago, and Charleston serving classic American pub fare and cocktails
2. Private Event Services: Revenue from hosting private events in 18 exclusive event spaces across their venue portfolio, with customizable catering menus and bar packages
3. Merchandise Sales: Online merchandise store selling branded apparel including t-shirts, hats, crewnecks, and accessories with prices ranging from $20-$65

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Eat Drink & Be Merry Hospitality operates a multi-unit portfolio of 15 bars and restaurants across New York City, Chicago, and Charleston serving classic American pub fare, affordable cocktails, and live entertainment at neighborhood venues, complemented by private event services across 18 exclusive event spaces with customizable catering and bar packages. The company also sells branded merchandise (t-shirts, hats, crewnecks, accessories) through an online Shopify storefront and offers film, photo, and brand activation location services at its venues.

Product overview

Eat Drink & Be Merry Hospitality operates a diverse portfolio of 15 bars and restaurants in New York City (8 locations), Chicago (4 locations including 2 Fatso's), and Charleston, South Carolina (3 locations). The portfolio includes iconic neighborhood bars and restaurants (Down The Hatch, Jake's Dilemma, The Gin Mill, Off The Wagon, The Stumble Inn, 3 Sheets, Hair of the Dog, Downtown Social, Cleo's Pub, Fatso's Last Stand, Uptown Social, Share House, Bodega), plus 18 exclusive private event spaces and an e-commerce merchandise store (powered by Shopify). The company offers classic American pub fare, affordable cocktails, and exceptional service, along with a full-scale in-house event team providing premium personalized service for private events hosting 10-500 guests.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Down The Hatch: NYC bar and restaurant venue.
• The Stumble Inn
• Jake's Dilemma
• The Gin Mill
• Off the Wagon
• 3 Sheets
• Hair of the Dog
• Downtown Social
• Cleo's
• Fatso's Last Stand
• Uptown Social
• Share House
• Bodega
• The Waverly
• By The Way

Products and services

• Down The Hatch Original flagship NYC bar and restaurant venue opened in 1991 in the West Village, a basement bar concept that anchors the company's founding location.
• Jake's Dilemma NYC bar and restaurant opened in 1994 offering classic American pub fare with private event spaces including The Oak Cellar, The Commons Room, and Riverside Room.
• The Gin Mill NYC bar opened in 1995 featuring The Speakeasy private party room with vaulted brick ceiling, crystal chandeliers, and a working fireplace.
• Off The Wagon NYC bar opened in 1998 featuring The Balcony, an indoor private party space with cast iron banister overlooking the main bar.
• The Stumble Inn NYC bar opened in 2008 (replacing Mo's Caribbean) featuring The East Wing, a free-standing party venue at 306 E. 76th Street with mahogany bar and Tiffany-inspired lights.
• 3 Sheets Saloon NYC bar opened in 2010 featuring The Lido Deck, a second-floor private event venue with skylight, floor-to-ceiling windows, fireplace, and exposed brick.
• Hair of the Dog NYC bar opened in 2012 featuring The Remedy Room private party space with wrap-around windows, 18-foot roof with chandeliers, and embossed tin ceiling.
• Downtown Social NYC bar (rebranded from The 13th Step in January 2023) featuring The Empire Room and The State Room private event spaces for private gatherings.
• Uptown Social Charleston venue opened in 2018 offering an elevated culinary experience and innovative cocktails with live entertainment, and featuring multiple private event spaces including Cooper Room, Hudson Room, and rooftop access.
• Share House Charleston coastal cantina opened in Winter 2022 housed in a historical Charleston train depot, featuring two event spaces: Amagansett (front room) and Avalon (back room with circular indoor/outdoor bar).
• Bodega Sandwich concept and co-working space that started as a pop-up and became a brick and mortar location in Charleston, featuring a vibrant atmosphere, colorful decor, and outdoor deck.
• Cleo's Pub Chicago bar acquired in 2010 featuring a patio that can be sectioned off for private events as the entire patio, Upper Patio, or Lower Patio.
• Fatso's Last Stand Chicago bar with two locations: the original at 2258 W Chicago Ave and second location at 1982 N Clybourn Ave (Lincoln Park, opened 2019).
• The Waverly Charleston wedding and events venue at 94 Stuart Street featuring a 3,000 sq ft reception hall, attached covered porch, landscaped garden for outdoor ceremonies, two getting-ready suites, and a fully equipped catering kitchen.
• By The Way Charleston restaurant venue offering the entire space for exclusive private events, featuring a custom mid-century style bar with overhead skylight, stylish lighting, marble and glass details, and curved brick ceiling.
• Private Event Services Comprehensive private event planning service across 18 exclusive event spaces in New York, Chicago, and Charleston, accommodating 10-500 guests with customizable catering menus, bar packages, and entertainment booking, supported by a full-time in-house events team with 25+ years of combined experience offered free of charge.
• Eat Drink & Be Merry Merchandise Store Online merchandise store selling branded apparel including t-shirts ($25), hats ($30), crewnecks ($65), and accessories ($20) featuring venue logos and slogans, powered by Shopify with international shipping available.

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• TripleseatcoreTechnology or IntegrationPrivate event booking software platform used to manage event inquiries and bookings across all Eat Drink & Be Merry venues.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves12 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Bowery Hospitality Group: New York hospitality operator with multiple venues and event spaces. Comparable in operating a portfolio of NYC bar/restaurant venues with private event hosting.
• Tao Group Hospitality: Multi-unit nightlife and restaurant operator with venues in NYC, Las Vegas, and other major markets. Comparable in running a high-volume, events-heavy hospitality portfolio with similar target demographics.
• BR Guest Hospitality: NYC-based hospitality group operating a portfolio of restaurants, bars, and event spaces. Directly comparable in combining a multi-venue NYC bar/restaurant portfolio with private event capabilities.
• Hillstone Restaurant Group: Multi-unit, founder-owned restaurant group operating across multiple US markets. Comparable in being a privately held, multi-city restaurant operator with a long operating history and consistent brand positioning.
• Catch Hospitality Group: NYC-headquartered multi-unit restaurant and events operator with flagship venues in Tribeca and other prime Manhattan locations. Directly comparable in combining high-volume restaurants with private event space and brand-driven consumer experiences.
• Mercer Street Hospitality: NYC hospitality group operating several bar/restaurant venues with private event spaces. Comparable in operating a multi-venue NYC portfolio with private event capabilities.
• Lettuce Entertain You Enterprises: Multi-concept, multi-city restaurant group founded in Chicago with a deep portfolio of restaurants, bars, and event venues. Comparable in founder-owned, multi-city operator profile with a strong events and private dining component.
• The Smith Restaurant Group: Multi-unit casual American restaurant operator in NYC and other East Coast cities. Comparable in operating neighborhood-style venues that serve classic American fare and cocktails with private event capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Bloomin' Brands: Public multi-brand restaurant operator (Outback, Carrabba's, Bonefish, Fleming's). Comparable as a broad incumbent at much larger scale, providing a public-market benchmark for unit economics and capital allocation in the multi-unit restaurant industry.

Regional players

• Boka Restaurant Group: Chicago-based restaurant group operating multiple upscale venues in the city. Comparable as a multi-unit Chicago operator with strong events business and a similar portfolio of established brands.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/edbmhospitality
• Instagraminstagram.com/edbmhospitality
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/eat-drink-&-be-merry

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Eat Drink & Be Merry