Mission Nightclub

Partner Bobby Kwak says that the real reason Circle closed was because they couldn’t afford the new lease asking price at the club, which was in an area that now has a Whole Foods and a SoulCycle. It’s working out better for them though, he says: Mission Nightclub, which opens on March 3 at 229 West 28th Street between Seventh and Eighth avenues, is slightly closer to K-Town, where many of their clientele party before and after going to the club anyway. It’s also bigger than Circle, he adds.

Mission won’t be that different from Circle. Like its predecessor, Mission will mimic clubs in Korea, with plates of cut up fruit for people who order bottle service and well-dressed men as servers instead of the cocktail waitresses more common at American clubs. A new and upgraded sound system will also be in place, as will a new lighting system. Otherwise, “a club is a club at the end of the day: lights, music, dancing, bars,” Kwak says.

Besides the superior space and the lost of the previous lease, the partners also decided to reopen a Korean nightclub elsewhere because “there’s a need for something like this,” he says. Circle had been around for a decade and was primarily a go-to club for Koreans, Korean Americans, and other Asians and Asian Americans. In an oral history about the club, website The Ringer calls it “an epicenter of Korean nightlife in New York.” It frequently sported long lines every weekend, had a location near Times Square, and was visited by celebrities like Usher, Anthony Bourdain, and Pharrell Williams — but was virtually unknown to people outside the community.

Ultimately, the new club’s — ahem — mission will be the same as Circle, too: to be a place for Asians and Asian Americans.

“The Asian community, they hate to admit it, but they loved Circle,” Kwak says. “It’s like a safe haven for them. It’s kind of like Cheers. …that’s what Circle was to the Asian community. People were regulars were there because they felt a sense of comfort. They felt a sense of home. It was a place where people in the Asian community were able to connect with each other.”

• Mission Nighclub is run by the same people that owned Circle.
• The club is closer to Korean Town than Circle, and bigger too.
• The decor and theme of the club is designed to mimic its counterparts in Korea.

Where is Mission located?

Mission New York is located between 7th Ave & 8th Ave in Chelsea.

How much is cover charge at Mission?

Mission charges a cover of around $20 on most nights.

How long will I have to wait at Mission?

Expect to wait anywhere from 0-20 min depending on when you arrive at Mission club NYC.

When is Mission open?

Mission is open on Fridays and Saturdays.

For more events, check out the best night clubs in NYC.

What are the best nights to go to Mission?

All nights are good to go to Mission nightclub. Especially if you like a more Asian crowd.

What is the dress code at Mission?

Dress to impress at Mission NYC! Collared shirt / jeans / dress shoes for guys. Avoid anything that can be considered sportswear (track jackets, jerseys, sneakers, hats, etc). Unless you’re a celebrity – in that case you can dress however you please.

How much do drinks cost at Mission?

Expect to pay around $15 for cocktails at Mission night club.

What kind of music do they play at Mission?

Mission Nightclub features mostly top 40, with a mix of EDM and hip hop.

Where can I find a list of upcoming events / DJs at Mission?

You can download the Discotech app to see upcoming events, and book tables for Mission.