Skip to main content

The Manual may earn a commission when you buy through links on our site.

Worn Out Wednesday – James Morrissey

Today we speak to hospitality guru James Morrissey.

When Irish entrepreneur James Morrissey moved to Manhattan in 2013, he arrived with more business savvy and experience than most newcomers. Now, two years in and just 28-years-old, James has officially added “restaurateur” to his resume with the success of The Late Late Bar & Spirit Grocer.

Recommended Videos

James began his career in Ireland while still in university, setting up The Signature Group, which remains one of the country’s largest nightlife events and marketing companies. Ever in pursuit of his next venture, James moved to Manhattan to bring what he calls “constructive disruption” to the New York hospitality industry.

In 2014 James opened The Late Late Bar & Spirit Grocer of New York in the trendy lower east side of Manhattan. The Late Late is a purposefully subtle, Irish-inspired local bar named after the longest running TV talk show in the world. Unlike the Irish pubs peppered throughout Manhattan, James wanted to bring a little bit of the real modern Ireland to the city. James partnered up with friend Rob Ackroyd (lead guitarist with UK music group Florence & The Machine) to create a chilled lower east side hangout with great music, which Rob curates. With regulars such as Jeremy Piven, Fallout Boy, LA Reid and One Direction, James prides himself on maintaining a low-key bar that focuses on great drinks, great food, great music, and even better company.

Though he now splits his time between New York and Ireland, James has some projects up his sleeve that will keep him stateside for the foreseeable future. In the meantime, he’ll be planning summer weekends in Montauk and The Hamptons to relax before he comes up with his next business venture. 

Here James tells us more about his personal style:

Jeans: Ralph Lauren Black Label

Shirts: Calvin Klein White Shirts.. Can never have too many

Suits: J Crew Ludlow. Navy suit, crisp white shirt.. Always

Shoes: Paul Smith Loafers or Boots

Accessories: Raymond Weil watch, keep it simple

Outerwear: The Kooples

Favorite Cologne: Bulgari Extreme

Your favorite App: Uber

Favorite piece of technology: iPhone 6 Plus

Next tech purchase: Drone

Cator Sparks
Former Former Digital Trends Contributor, The Manual
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…
The L’Aventure Marine Type 3 Chronometer masters land and sea
A 200m water-resistant chronometer with heritage styling, the Marine Type 3 is a diver’s watch with timeless appeal.
LAVENTURE MARINE TYPE 3

The L’Aventure Marine Type 3 Chronometer has thrown its hat into the sea of contenders, meticulously crafted to honor mid-century horology and redesigned for the modern watch aficionado. With a vintage design and masterful engineering, this timepiece merges the gap between classic elegance and contemporary performance.

Designed for the serious collectors who place a high value on both heritage and innovation, the Marine Type 3 features a gradient blue dial inspired by the ocean, paired with vintage luminescent markers for optimal readability. The sleek, tapered lugs offer a comfortable fit, whether on a rugged NATO strap or an elegant leather band. This watch tells time and a story of adventure and timeless craftsmanship.

Read more
I ran 50 miles on roads and trails—how the Craft Nordlite Ultra 2 performed
Is the Craft Nordlite Ultra 2 the only running shoe you need?
Craft Nordlite Ultra 2

When it comes to shoes, runners have almost too many choices. There are daily trainers, speed shoes, trail shoes, plated racers, and more. High-end models start around $150, so building up a “quiver” of footwear requires $300, $450, or more. That can make the simple, refreshing act of running an expensive hobby.

However, some manufacturers produce road-to-trail shoes that can handle both roads and trails, as well as everything in between. One such model is the Craft Nordlite Ultra 2, which features a supercritical midsole and a lugged outsole. I tested it on the roads and trails of Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley to answer the question: Is this the only running shoe you need? Read on for my take.

Read more
From Malibu to Porto Cervo, Armani x Kith goes full coastal luxe
Kith, Armani debut a summer-ready collection
man wearing kith x armani tee shirt

When Kith and Giorgio Armani released their first collection together for Fall/Winter 2024, there was no doubt that both brands had nailed the concept of a luxury partnership. Now the two brands are joining forces once more to bring this same luxury feel to the summertime with the second installment of their collaboration. Meant to bridge the luxury of Italy and the modern sophistication of New York, this new collection is ready for wherever the summer may take you. Whether you’re hitting the Italian coast or the streets of New York, this collection embodies the summer of your dreams and an aspirational lifestyle. Besides featuring a series of stylish silhouettes and styles, this collection is also made to be sensible to withstand the summer in Europe or the United States. 

Giorgio Armani and Kith go global with new collection

Read more