Cafe Dancer Reopens at 96 Orchard Street

Last May, barely two months into its tenure at 96 Orchard Street, Cafe Dancer abruptly closed for some unspecified “renovations.” Management informed us at the time that the remodeling was necessary to “better the food operation” and prepare for the “bar operations.” Summer was the initial projection provided for relaunch; more like autumn.

Periodic movement inside the sub-level space always signaled that Cafe Dancer would jumpstart its business here. It was only a matter of when. Well, the question was answered just before the arrival of Hurricane Sandy, when newspaper clippings were finally removed from its windows and the gates hoisted. The casual hangout served for a couple days before shuttering again for the weeklong blackout.

License paperwork was finally approved by the State Liquor Authority last month for on-premise privileges. This likely explains why it’s now open.