The Bangkok Chinatown restaurant will make its highly anticipated arrival in New York City October 22th–24th at The Manner

Speedboat Bar, the acclaimed Thai brand from Chef & Founder Luke Farrell’s Chaiyo Restaurants – in partnership with JKS Restaurants – will make its highly anticipated U.S. arrival in New York City this October, taking over The Otter restaurant inside The Manner in SoHo on Thompson Street, for three nights only, October 22th–24th.

Hailing from the same group behind one of New York’s buzziest recent openings – Ambassadors Clubhouse – Speedboat Bar is a transportative recreation of the Thai-Chinese canteens of Bangkok’s Chinatown, and beyond. A cult favorite in the British capital, Speedboat Bar has locations in London’s Soho and Notting Hill neighborhoods, set to bring its irreverent spirit, bold flavors, and high-octane late-night energy stateside for the first time.

The three-night takeover marks the convergence of two distinctly vibrant hospitality concepts: Speedboat’s Bangkok-meets-London sensibility and The Otter’s coastal, seafood-driven approach, set within The Manner, a 97-room hotel in the heart of Manhattan’s SoHo neighborhood, blocks away from New York’s very own Chinatown.

For the occasion, The Otter’s intimate rear dining room will be transformed into a little slice of Bangkok’s Chinatown, marrying Speedboat’s punchy Thai-Chinese cooking with the restaurant’s relaxed, coastal seafood aesthetic. Guests can expect an experience designed as much around atmosphere and social energy as the food itself, with shareable plates, Thai hyperpop, and a distinctly celebratory late-night sensibility.  

Inspired by the supercharged world of Bangkok’s speedboat racing, Speedboat Bar channels the frenetic energy of Bangkok’s Chinatown through Thai-Chinese dishes, maximalist flavors and a lively bar program. For its New York debut, the restaurant will serve a menu of punchy dishes built for the ride, including crispy pork & black pepper curry, minced beef with holy basil, and chicken skins with zaep seasoning.

“I’m raring to rip the throttle on Speedboat Bar’s upcoming collaboration with The Otter in New York! It’s incredible to look back on a journey that began in Bangkok’s Chinatown and brought us to London, where every detail – from ingredients and technique, to the rhythm of the kitchen – has been carefully considered to recreate this unique Thai-Chinese cuisine without compromise

. Now, bringing that same care and commitment to New York is a dream come true. What better city to revel in the same wok-fired spirit and Speedboat Bar energy!” – Chef Luke Farrell, Speedboat 

The collaboration initially debuted with in-demand membership platform Dorsia, offering the Speedboat pop-up reservation slots initially and exclusively to Dorsia Members, before releasing select table offerings on OpenTable.

Reservations opened on October 1st on Dorsia, with select availability on OpenTable followed on October 3rd.  There will be two dinner seatings on the 22nd at 7pm and 9pm, and three dinner seatings on the 23rd and 24th beginning at 6pm, with 8pm and 10pm to follow.

The Speedboat Bar takeover extends that cultural positioning into the culinary space, bringing one of London’s most talked-about Thai concepts into an equally design-forward and socially driven downtown setting.

“We could not be more thrilled to bring Speedboat to The Manner, debuting a much-anticipated pop-up at The Otter. This is a culinary dream collaboration, and one that takes me back to my Thai heritage and roots. I am a huge fan of Luke and what the JKS team has done with Gymkhana and Ambassadors Clubhouse, so we are beyond excited and honored to be the first to debut Speedboat in New York.” — Napat Thavisin, President of International Operations, Sansiri PLC (The Otter)

The takeover by Speedboat at The Otter arrives at a moment when The Manner and its hospitality destinations have emerged as a hub for New York’s fashion, entertainment, sports and creative communities; following a lively US Open run and bustling New York Fashion Week.

The pairing between Speedboat and The Otter brings together two SoHo neighborhood favorites, an ocean apart, but with a shared commitment to exacting produce, bold cookery and a good time.   

About The Otter

Nestled inside The Manner in the heart of SoHo, The Otter is a lively, seafood-centric restaurant. Inspired by the laid-back charm of the East Coast, the restaurant blends the warmth of a neighborhood favorite with the relaxed elegance of a coastal retreat. The menu features a full raw bar alongside standout entrées like swordfish au poivre, creating an atmosphere where guests linger long after their meal is done. Open for breakfast, dinner, a daily cocktail hour, and weekend brunch, The Otter brings coastal dining to downtown Manhattan. For more information please visit the website theotter.nyc, and follow on social media @theottersoho. 

Chaiyo is the LondonThai restaurant group from chef Luke Farrell, in partnership with JKS Restaurants, celebrating the depth and diversity of Thai regional cooking. Luke first partnered with JKS Restaurants in 2021 to launch Southern Thai Restaurant, Plaza Khao Gaeng, a stand-alone concept located on the mezzanine of Arcade Food Hall on Tottenham Court Road which has since been awarded a Michelin Bib Gourmand. In 2022, Chaiyo opened Speedboat Bar on Chinatown’s Rupert Street, an homage to the late-night canteens of Bangkok, which quickly gained a cult following for its bold Thai Chinese cooking. In July 2025, Chaiyo brought Speedboat Bar to Portobello Road with the opening of Speedboat Bar at The Electric in collaboration with Soho House Group, and later in November 2025 opened a second Plaza Khao Gaeng in the historic railway arches of Borough Yards. In May 2026, Chaiyo opened a third Plaza Khao Gaeng in Covent Garden, a celebration of Thailand’s ‘deepest south’ and the rich grilling traditions of these borderlands. Chaiyo showcases Luke’s hands-on experience of South East Asian kitchens and his home-grown ingredients from Ryewater Nursery, and guided by the principle of True Thai Cuisine, brings regional flavours to life. chaiyorestaurants.com | @chaiyorestaurants

JKS Restaurants are a globally recognised UK-based hospitality group, celebrated for its creativity, innovation and commitment to excellence. Founded in 2008 by siblings Jyotin Sethi, Karam Sethi and Sunaina Sethi, JKS has shaped the dining landscape with a portfolio of over 35 restaurants across the UK, Middle East and U.S. The group holds 8 Michelin Stars and 6 Michelin Bib Gourmands across its portfolio of Indian Restaurants (Trishna, Gymkhana & 42, Brigadiers, Ambassadors Clubhouse, BiBi and Hoppers), Thai Restaurants (Plaza Khao Gaeng and Speedboat), Persian Restaurant (Berenjak), Spanish Restaurants (Sabor and Legado), and the Modern European Restaurant, Kitchen Table. jksrestaurants.com | @jks_restaurants