The Buildout Double Chicken Please
Jan 7, 2026
GN Chan and Faye Chen, co-owners of Double Chicken Please, share their journey from flair bartenders in Taiwan to creating a cocktail bar sensation in NYC. They discuss the unique concept of cocktails that taste like food, including a beet-salad beverage that tantalizes taste buds. The duo reflects on the challenges of opening during COVID, their viral rise to fame, and the accolades that followed. Hear about their innovative two-concept space and future expansion plans, all while balancing their growing brand with personal aspirations.
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Living In The Bar To Learn The Craft
- GN Chan lived in the bar attic while learning bartending after graduating art school and being scammed out of his money.
- He practiced daily in the park and treated bartending as a blend of performance and design.
Personal Sacrifices To Keep Construction Alive
- The partners pooled initial funds (about $50k) and later mortgaged personal assets and borrowed money during COVID to keep construction alive.
- GN mortgaged his family's home twice and Faye borrowed money to avoid losing the project.
Deals Falling Apart Repeatedly
- Double Chicken Please lost multiple deals after long negotiations, including a landlord who disappeared and another whose license was suspended for serving minors.
- The founders considered abandoning the project after repeated setbacks before finally securing their current space.