Questions and answers
Lai Rai New York: frequently asked questions
Short answers to the questions people ask most about Lai Rai in New York. Each answer says where the information comes from. Details were last checked on November 11, 2026.
The business
The basics
What is Lai Rai?
Lai Rai is a small Vietnamese wine bar at 76 Forsyth Street on the Lower East Side. It serves bar snacks and homemade ice cream, according to Time Out New York.
What are Lai Rai's opening hours?
Google Maps shows 6 to 10 PM Monday to Wednesday, 6 to 10:30 PM Thursday, 5 PM to midnight Friday and Saturday, and 5 to 10 PM Sunday. These were read on November 11, 2026, and small bars change hours, so check Instagram.
Does Lai Rai have a phone number or website?
No phone number is listed, and there is no website. Its Google profile links to Instagram at @lairai.nyc, which is the best place to ask a question.
Who is behind Lai Rai?
Off-Menu (May 2025) names the owners as Jerald Head, Kim Hoang and Tuan Bui. It is linked to Mắm next door and Đi Ăn Đi in Greenpoint, Brooklyn.
Is Lai Rai the same place as Mắm?
No. Mắm is the Vietnamese restaurant next door, and Lai Rai is a separate bar linked to its team. Time Out says the bar’s snacks come from the Mắm kitchen.
Getting there
Visiting
Where is Lai Rai?
Lai Rai is at 76 Forsyth St, New York, NY 10002, at the edge of Chinatown. It is next door to the restaurant Mắm.
Do I need a reservation at Lai Rai?
It was not confirmed. No booking page was found and no source states a reservation policy. The room is small, so ask on Instagram before taking a group.
How big is Lai Rai, and can I sit outside?
SoHo Grand counts 22 seats, and A/TLY describes a small room with marble tables and a few bar seats. Time Out mentions outdoor tables, and Off-Menu says guests gather outside in warm spring weather.
Is there parking near Lai Rai?
It was not confirmed in the sources we checked. Check street parking rules or a nearby garage yourself before you drive.
Is Lai Rai open on holidays?
It was not confirmed. The listing does not give holiday hours, so check Lai Rai’s Instagram account before you go.
Everything else
More questions
When did Lai Rai open?
In fall 2024, according to SoHo Grand and Off-Menu. No exact date was found.
Is Lai Rai a wine bar or a restaurant?
It is a wine bar, per Time Out and SoHo Grand, with a short natural wine list and a small food offer. This guide is about the food and the visit.
Does Lai Rai deliver?
Google Maps lists delivery as a service, but we could not confirm it anywhere else. Check the listing or Instagram for current options.
How is Lai Rai rated?
Google Maps showed 4.7 out of 5 from 78 reviews on November 11, 2026. Ratings change, so check the listing for the latest figure.
Has Lai Rai had press coverage?
Yes. Time Out New York lists it, Off-Menu wrote a May 2025 feature, SoHo Grand includes it in a downtown wine bar guide, and Resy Editorial named it a July 2025 staff pick.
What does the decor look like?
SoHo Grand describes butter-yellow walls, a marble bar and aged brass mirrors. A/TLY adds retro Vietnamese decor and Paris By Night projections.
Who runs this website?
Lower East Side Plates publishes it. It is an independent guide, not owned or run by Lai Rai, and it takes no orders or payments. See the about page.
Ask the business
Still not sure?
For anything about current stock, bookings, large orders or holiday hours, Lai Rai itself is the only reliable source. No phone number was confirmed, so use the Google Maps listing.