Customer Stories

The Lodge brings holiday spirit back to New York this winter at Bryant Park

Lee Arbel
VP of Customer Experience

Brendan Donohoe, Stout NYC Group’s COO, had to think fast and pivot to help spread the Stout love in a safe way this winter. While large gatherings are discouraged this holiday season, people would still like to go out to restaurants in a safe and sustainable manner. To continue serving guests safely, Stout NYC has once again partnered with Bank of America Winter Village at Bryant Park to bring you The Lodge Deck.

Stout NYC was founded in 2005 by brothers Martin and Mark Whelan, Gail Klein, and Noelle Mooney. After successfully launching three Stout NYC locations in Manhattan in the last 15 years, the group eagerly awaits the opening of the newest addition to the group, Stout NYC Bryant Park, located at 109 West 39th Street early next year.

The group's seasonal location, The Lodge, located right in the heart of midtown, serves eats and drinks (full-service bar) overlooking the ice skating rink and all the holiday shops. The deck has heaters and partitioned tables to ensure guest safety, as well as some cozy igloos with comfy chairs and extra heaters.

To promote safety, The Lodge used Bbot as a way for guests to order and pay with minimum contact. Guests sit down at a table (or igloo), scan the QR code on the table sign, select the menu items and modifiers they’d like, and pay using Google Pay, Apple Pay, or credit card. The best part? Guests don’t need to download an app or sign up for anything! The bar and kitchen are informed when the order goes through, and when it’s ready, a server runs it to the designated table.

Since launching with Bbot in mid-November 2020, The Lodge has already served close to 1,000 satisfied customers with the new technology. Their digital menu site has been visited over 4,000 times. Most importantly, The Stout Group has been able to gather valuable data using Bbot’s platform to continue improving the guest experience.

Consumers are also embracing the digital world. Brick-and-mortar restaurants are realizing the importance of leveraging digital solutions to attract, entertain, and retain customers. Whether it’s signing up for an aggregated delivery service, creating a contactless dine-in experience, or serving virtual kitchen branded items, New York restaurants like The Lodge have adapted to new challenges and will continue to do so and thrive.

Festivities are uniquely special this year because New Yorkers don’t have to worry about large tourist crowds. Locals can still enjoy the holiday fun and magic that New York City has to offer, while remaining socially distant. Next time you stop by The Lodge, try out one of their top-selling food menu items like the Cheddarwurst Artisanal Sausage or Loaded Fries, and popular drinks like the Grand Marnier Hot Chocolate, the Salted Caramel Hot Apple Cider, or their classic Mulled Wine.

Open daily from 10 am - 10 pm until March 7th, with an extended hour (11 pm) through January 3rd, The Lodge Deck by Stout NYC is a must-see for all New Yorkers, even after the holiday season. This is the joyous people-watching destination to come to with family, friends, or co-workers to enjoy the stellar view of the skaters and Christmas tree. Keep in mind face coverings are required unless seated at a table and high-touch surfaces are disinfected throughout the day. Hand-washing stations and hand sanitizer can be found in multiple places throughout the park.