January 18, 2026, is a weird day for the hospitality world. Most of us are still nursing that post-holiday financial hangover, yet somehow, the bar scene is actually buzzing. If you're looking for what bars are opening today, you've likely noticed that "Dry January" is starting to lose its grip on the public. People are ready to get back out there.
Honestly, the "New Year, New Me" crowd is starting to trade their green juices for agave spirits. We aren’t just seeing typical neighborhood dives popping up either. We're talking high-concept, multi-million dollar flagships and tiny, 10-seat wine rooms that feel like someone’s private library.
The Major Players: Flagships and Global Debuts
Let's talk about the big one. Nobu One Za’abeel in Dubai technically held its star-studded gala a couple of nights ago, but today, January 18, is one of its first full days of standard public operation for the Bar & Lounge. If you haven't seen the photos of the 230-meter cantilevered sky concourse, it's basically a floating glass bridge. The bar there stays open until 2:00 AM on Sundays. It's the kind of place where the view is the main ingredient, but the "Teeny-Tinis"—a massive trend for 2026—are the actual draw.
Meanwhile, in Las Vegas, Five Guys just did something nobody expected. They opened a massive 10,000-square-foot flagship that includes a full-service bar. Yes, you can now get a frozen cocktail with your bacon cheeseburger. It’s a move that signals a massive shift in how "fast-casual" brands are trying to capture the late-night crowd. It's weird, it's loud, and it’s already packed.
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Over in Melbourne, the legendary Death & Co has finally crossed the Pacific. While they’ve been in a "soft launch" phase for a few days, this Sunday marks their first major weekend of full service in the East End district. It’s their first international outpost, and the menu is split into six insane sections ranging from "Light & Bright" to "Boozy & Spirit Forward."
The Wine Bar Renaissance
If you're in London or New York, the trend today isn't huge lounges; it's "zero-zero" wine. Basically, wine with nothing added and nothing taken away.
- Stable Wines (London): Located on Essex Road, this place is literally an old bank vault. The basement is candlelit, subterranean, and serves some of the best oysters you'll find in Bethnal Green. It officially hit its stride this weekend.
- Long Count (New York): This is the new sister spot to Soda Club in the East Village. The hook? Every single wine on the list is at least ten years old. In a world of "drink it now" young vintages, they are betting on the idea that people want to taste how time changes a grape.
- Stars (New York): Only 12 seats. That’s it. But the wine list is 60 pages long. It’s located in the East Village and is currently the hardest reservation to snag for a Sunday afternoon sip.
What Most People Get Wrong About New Openings
A lot of people think that if a bar opens in January, it's doomed. That’s actually a myth. In fact, industry experts like Adam Romo (CEO of Eatzi’s) have noted that 2026 is the year of "Occasion Stacking." Because people are more selective with their money right now, bars are opening with multiple identities.
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You’ll see this at Bar Vita at the Updown Farmhouse in the UK. It’s a stable-turned-cocktail-den that acts as a morning espresso bar, a mid-day grappa lounge, and a late-night Martini spot. It isn't just a bar; it's a "third space" where you can work from your laptop and then transition straight into a Negroni.
Why Today Matters for the Industry
The bars opening today are fighting against a tough tide. In Manchester alone, we’ve seen nearly ten venues close their doors in just the last two weeks. The "Hard Rock Café" in the Printworks even suspended trading recently. So, when a place like DakaDaka in Mayfair (which just opened its doors for its first full weekend of service) chooses to launch now, they are betting on "vibrancy and comfort."
DakaDaka is doing modern Georgian wine and open-fire cooking. It’s not just about the booze; it’s about the ritual. People aren't going out just to get drunk anymore; they’re going out for the "flavor architecture." We’re seeing a massive return to savory cocktails—think fat-washing, fermentations, and lots of saline.
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Actionable Insights for Your Sunday Night
If you're planning to head to one of these spots, keep a few things in mind for the current landscape:
- Check the "Age Policy": High-end spots like Nobu are strictly 21+ for the lounge after 9:00 PM, even if the restaurant allows families earlier.
- Look for the "Low-ABV" Section: Almost every bar opening today has a sophisticated non-alcoholic or low-alcohol menu. It’s no longer an afterthought; it’s usually the most creative part of the list.
- Book the "Tiny" Seats: If you're heading to a place like Stars or Long Count, don't just show up. These 10–12 seat venues are designed for intimacy, and they fill up by 4:00 PM on a Sunday.
- Follow the "Chef-Driven" Trend: If the bar doesn't have a serious snack menu (think Guinness rarebit or Saperavi-infused pickles), it's probably behind the times.
The hospitality world is mid-reinvention. Whether you’re grabbing a beer at the new Five Guys bar in Vegas or sipping a vintage Saperavi in a Manhattan basement, the bars opening today are all about making the "quietest month of the year" feel a lot more interesting.
To make the most of tonight, start by checking the digital reservation platforms like Tock or Resy specifically for "New Openings" filters, as many of these venues are currently using "soft launch" links that don't appear on their main websites yet. You can also verify local operating hours directly through their Instagram bios, which are updated much faster than Google Maps during an opening week. Finally, if you're in a city like Austin or San Francisco, look for "Lounge" re-openings like Sweet Sensi, which are pivoting to offer more experiential CBD-infused menus to compete with traditional spirit bars.