As I was walking toward Barlume to sample their Happiest Hour, I realized that the new Mediterranean restaurant, which opened on Broadway in January in the space where Beecher’s had been.  If you missed it, Beecher’s was a cheese shop offering free samples of their award-winning cheddar and a restaurant serving what was claimed to be the “world’s best” mac & cheese. It was that good. 

I had high hopes for Barlume, where I stopped by for their $15 martini and fries offering from 4 to 6 p.m. daily. I was seated outside, close to the grate where the Lexington Avenue subway passed underneath —a fun spot for people-watching.

Service ain’t what it should be, as I received my fries even before a napkin or silverware (never got that) and before my martini. The fries are mediocre, the martini okay, drizzled with lemon oil.

Barlume is not a spot I’d recommend, at least for what they call their “happiest hour.”

*Happy Hour (called Happiest Hour) details as of 08/30/2025
Hours: Daily 3 pm-6 pm

What’s happy? Four selections: pinza (Roman-style flatbread) & Aperol spritz ($12); 6 oysters & champagne ($18); fries and martini ($15); and ham croquetas and beer ($12)

How happy? * (one out of three stars)

Barlume
900 Broadway
New York, NY 10003
212-691-4978
barlume.com/menus-nyc/#happiest-hour