Inside Little Italy's New Disco-Themed Red Sauce Joint, Inspired By "Saturday Night Fever"

Any New Yorker worth their salt is familiar with the iconic shot of John Travolta strutting down the sidewalk with his paint can and his wide-collared shirt, grabbing two slices of pizza to the tune of the Bee Gees' "Stayin' Alive." And if you're not, well, you have some movie homework to catch up on.

Now, as a Brooklyn Italian who was literally born above the pizzeria in the scene, I think I'm uniquely qualified to put my stamp of approval on the new red sauce joint opening this week in Little Italy, inspired by none other than Saturday Night Fever.

Manero's on Mulberry, named for Tony Manero, Travolta's character in the film, combines old school Italian restaurant vibes with the disco energy of the 1970s. Like, how fun does that sound?!

Owner Roman Grandinetti, who has teamed up with partners Nima Garos and Koorosh Bakhtiar, designed a menu full of nonna-approved family recipes that pay homage to his Bensonhurst roots. And don't worry, despite the theme, the spot is anything but gimmicky. The cozy brick-walled space feels like a classic neighborhood eatery, with subtle decorative nods to the era, along with a cheeky selection of cocktails named for '70s disco icons, like the Grace Jones, Jerry Hall, and Bianca Jagger.

Promising a lively atmosphere for dinner and drinks, Manero's is surely about to become our new go-to for meatballs and martinis. 

Click through for your first look inside!