Skip to main content

Luckin Coffee opens in NYC, bringing its Starbucks rivalry to the U.S.

The first two U.S. locations of this Asia-based coffee chain are now open

By Emily Caldwell Jul 1, 2025 8:28 AM

Luckin Coffee — Shutterstock

Starbucks appears to have a new rival in town in the U.S. market. The first two US locations of China’s fastest-growing coffee chain, Luckin Coffee, are now open in NYC. Luckin’ Coffee opened two NYC locations yesterday: Greenwich Village near the NYU campus and NoMad. Founded in 2017, Luckin’ Coffee has taken off across China, catering to younger guests in China, Singapore, and Malaysia. The chain has over 24,000 locations across Asia but has entered the U.S. market. The chain is known for its simplified menu and “bare-bones” stores, which accept only cashless payments and mobile orders.

For the launch of the first two U.S. locations, Luckin announced steep promotions such as $1.99 drink deals and 50% off beverages for the grand opening, as well as free tote bags for the first guests to enter the store. The menu at this Asia-based coffee shop offers everything U.S. coffee and tea drinkers are used to, from cold brew coffees to matcha drinks to flavored lattes. The menu also includes a small selection of light bites and pastries. Per the brand’s website, Luckin Coffee uses only the finest Arabica coffee beans that are sourced directly from renowned coffee-producing regions. Other menu specialty coffees include the Apple Fizzy Americano and Pomelo Americano.

Recommended Videos

Though Luckin may only have two U.S. locations at the moment, rumours suggest the brand plans to expand quickly in the U.S. market. With low prices and an app-based model, the chain can keep prices low and could soon become a strong competitor for Starbucks.

Emily is a Features Writer at The Manual, where she specializes in food, beverage, and travel content. She focuses on weaving… Read Full Bio

Topics

Coffee & Tea

Bardstown Bourbon wants to add some sweetness to your summer with its new tropical whiskey

Bardstown Bourbon Company

If you’re anything like me, you love a good rum-based, tropical cocktail. There’s nothing quite like a Mai Tai or Rum Punch on a hot, humid summer day. Especially if you’re floating on or sitting near a large body of water. But you don’t always want a rum-centered drink, and whiskey just doesn’t have the tropical flair of its sugarcane-based cousin. That all changes now, because Bardstown Bourbon Company just released a whiskey that’s the best of both booze-soaked worlds: Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish Whiskey.

Victoria Pineapple Barrel Finish Whiskey

I declare this the summer of rum: Drinking rum the right way with an expert

Alcohol, Beverage, Liquor

Look, I am a movie buff. Everything I ever learned about life I learned from or sparked an interest in a movie. So, when it comes to rum, my first impression of the drink came from watching Jack Sparrow drink it on a beach. Now, as I travel all over the Carribean, I have discovered that there is, in fact, an entire culture surrounding the consumption of this versatile liquor. Of course, I don’t just take movies at their word, and I dive deep into a subject to find out more about it once my interest is piqued. When it came to rum, I reached out to my friends over at Blue Chair Bay Rum and asked why I am seeing rum everywhere in the summer of 2026. So, why is rum the liquor of the summer?

Rum has an authentic connection to summer because it reflects the easygoing spirit of warm weather entertaining. Inspired by the relaxed spirit of the Caribbean, Blue Chair Bay Rum was co-founded by award-winning singer-songwriter Kenny Chesney, whose deep connection to the islands comes from years spent traveling, performing, and unwinding along their shores. He wanted to capture that feeling with a premium rum that is approachable and full of flavor while embodying effortless joy amongst friends. — Anthony Moniello, Chief Executive Officer of Next Century Spirits

Stranahan’s is set to release its first ever nationally available bottled-in-bond whiskey

Stranahan's

American single malt whiskey has only recently become an officially recognized category, but Stranahan’s has been crafting it for two decades. Now, the iconic, award-winning brand has announced the oldest Colorado bottled-in-bond whiskey ever made. And yes, it’s single malt whiskey.

Stranahan’s American Single Malt Whiskey: Bottled-in-Bond