There aren't many spots in New York where you can start the night with a quality burger and end it with a procession of sparklers and bottles of champagne. But that's exactly why Sons of Essex is so beloved by the downtown party crowd, and has been for the past seven years. Since opening in 2011, the Lower East Side go-to has been a one-stop shop, providing dinners meant to impress, lively brunches, and DJ-powered dance parties, all in an old school space that recalls the origins of the neighborhood, in a Gangs of New York sort of way. Upon its Lucky 7th anniversary, Ross Meisel, James Choung, and the rest of the team behind the bar, restaurant, lounge, and yes, even cafe up front (talk about party in the back), spoke to us about the secrets of SOE's success.

[Photos courtesy Sons of Essex]