Sneak peek inside Whiskey Down Diner’s new Babylon location

Whiskey Down Diner is almost ready to welcome Babylon.

Greater Long Island got a sneak peek inside the popular restaurant’s new Babylon Village location last week as the family behind the Farmingdale-based concept prepares to open its second location later this month.

The restaurant is taking over the former Ristorante Gemelli space at 175 E. Main St., bringing Whiskey Down’s mix of classic diner favorites, elevated comfort food and gastropub-style fare to the heart of the village.

Photos from the tour offer an early look at the much larger space, which will give Whiskey Down room to expand on the atmosphere that helped make its original Farmingdale restaurant a destination.

Keep scrolling for the photo tour

The Babylon location is roughly double the size of the Farmingdale restaurant and features a larger dining room, high ceilings, an outdoor patio and a bar positioned prominently in the center of the restaurant.

“The bar is right in the middle … it’s awesome,” co-owner Alyson Kanaras previously told Greater Long Island.

For Kanaras, opening in Babylon has been a goal for years.

“I always wanted to be in Babylon. I live in Babylon. I love it there,” she said.

Whiskey Down Diner was founded by Alyson and her siblings, John and Kristina, whose family has deep roots in Long Island’s diner industry.

Their father, Peter Kanaras, has owned the Olympic Diner in Deer Park since 1980. It’s where their parents met and where the siblings grew up learning the restaurant business.

They spent about two years developing a concept centered around a more streamlined menu, elevated comfort food and a bigger emphasis on the bar and nightlife experience.

Whiskey Down Diner opened its first location in Farmingdale in June 2019 and built a following for its specialty burgers, creative dishes, seasonal specials and energetic atmosphere.

Expansion was always part of the plan.

“We always knew it wasn’t going to be just one location,” Kanaras said.

The road to Babylon took time.

Whiskey Down spent about two years discussing the former Gemelli property before officially signing a lease in December. Construction began in April, transforming the longtime Italian restaurant space into the second home for the Whiskey Down brand.

While the Babylon restaurant is considerably larger, Kanaras has said customers can expect the same core menu and overall experience they have come to know in Farmingdale, along with menu updates and rotating seasonal specials.

“I want the menu to be the same and just translate right over to Babylon,” she said.

Now, after months of construction, that vision is nearing the finish line.

Whiskey Down Diner is expected to officially open its Babylon Village location later this month.

Photo tour

Photos by Eric Micallef