2025 saw the surge of little luxuries, and going into 2026, consumer habits don’t seem to show this slowing down. At RHC, instead of cutting back in January, we celebrate – and lean into – indulgence as an antidote to the cold weather and a pared-back social calendar.
Luxury is being redefined – not by excess, but by intention. In a moment shaped by economic uncertainty, global noise, and constant acceleration, people aren’t opting out of pleasure altogether, they’re just choosing it differently. Big purchases are on pause; small indulgences are having their moment – the kind that don’t scream, but quietly slip into daily rituals
Bloomberg calls butter “the quiet status symbol of 2026,” reporting that the ‘lipstick effect’ is in full swing. Even during periods of economic pressure, consumers aren’t halting spending – they’re shifting toward smaller, more meaningful indulgences. A perfectly laminated croissant from that high-end bakery on a weekday morning. A Chanel lipstick instead of a handbag. A single, beautifully crafted cocktail at your neighbourhood bar. Artisanal butter from that bougie supermarket rather than the standard pack. These are the luxuries people are saying yes to right now – accessible pleasures that elevate the everyday and linger long after the moment has passed.
Small luxuries have also begun trickling into the travel space, with long luxury vacations increasingly swapped for short weekend splurges. According to Skyscanner, in 2025, about 52% of Gen Z travellers took at least three leisure trips in a year, often opting for short breaks – a clear indication that intentional, bite-sized travel is being prioritised even amid economic pressure. Consumers are spreading indulgence throughout the year: staycations, spa breaks, regional travel, and boutique retreats, rather than saving everything for one big trip.
For those looking for their next pick-me-up, RHC has compiled the best spots to enjoy your next small luxury – and the best ways to savour it.\
SUPERBUENO | New York, NY Located in the East Village, is the popular and award winning Mexican American neighbourhood cocktail bar. From acclaimed bartender Ignacio “Nacho” Jimenez, the cocktail bar transforms familiar flavors into elevated, joyful moments – cocktails inspired by iconic Mexican dishes, paired with shareable plates that reinterpret street food through a New York lens. It’s the kind of place where one drink turns into an experience: vibrant, welcoming, and deeply rooted in culture. No white tablecloths or hushed tones – just thoughtfully crafted cocktails. Grab one of their famous Mushroom Margarita’s featuring mezcal, orange liqueur, huitlacoche, lime and lava salt, for a small luxury with a bold personality, elevating any night out.
Meadow Lane | New York, NY Newly opened Meadow Lane reimagines the modern shopping experience through a lens of culinary sophistication, elevated design, and meticulously sourced provisions – each element curated to bring beauty and intention to the rituals of everyday life. For an easy indulgence, pick up the cult-favorite Chicken Salad, the bougie Caramelised Onion Dip, or one of the elevated ready-made meals, from gluten-free Chicken Nuggets to the Chinese Chicken Salad – perfect for upgrading a midweek lunch into something special. All the products at Meadow Lane reflect culinary expertise rather than mass production. Unlike traditional luxury that signals exclusivity, Meadow Lane’s approach is about accessible aspiration: things you might buy often, but feel special each time you do.
Second Sip Second Sip approaches spirits with a sense of restraint that feels especially relevant right now. Distilled in Brooklyn by a team that includes Nick Strangeway, Leo Robitschek, and Sharelle Klaus, the brand rethinks gin for a moment when balance matters as much as flavor. Using traditional copper pot distillation alongside modern techniques – including CO₂-extracted juniper and a carefully tuned botanical blend finished with a touch of Maldon sea salt – Second Sip prioritizes texture and complexity over strength. For those looking to elevate the home bar without overindulging, this gin offers an appealing alternative. At half the alcohol of a classic London Dry but with the structure to hold its own in a martini or simple serve, it turns a single drink into something intentional. It’s a small luxury for slower evenings – proof that savoring doesn’t require excess, just a well-considered pour.
NoMad London Tucked away on a quiet Covent Garden back street, NoMad London occupies the Grade II-listed Bow Street Magistrates’ Court and Police Station – once home to the infamous trials of Oscar Wilde and Vivienne Westwood. Blending New York sensibilities with London heritage, it offers an easy escape without the cost of a flight. Londoners can trade travel stress for a weekend immersed in the hotel’s cosmopolitan spirit, where indulgence reveals itself through thoughtful details rather than grand gestures. A bottle from the hotel’s exclusive collaboration with El Tequileño, crafted from select barrels usually reserved for sipping neat. A house-made NoMad chocolate bar enjoyed quietly at The Library bar. An afternoon spent leafing through a well-curated book collection with a cup of artisanal tea. These small, considered moments are what elevate a stay – proof that luxury often lives in what’s offered quietly, not announced loudly.
Choosing Keeping Choosing Keeping is a London-based lifestyle store known for its carefully curated mix of homewares, stationery, and objects sourced from makers around the world. Stepping inside feels less like shopping and more like discovering – shelves lined with pieces chosen for their form, texture, and sense of story. It’s the kind of place where small luxuries live: a sculptural vase, a hand-poured candle, a beautifully made tray that instantly elevates a coffee table. These are objects you don’t necessarily need, but love having. The ones friends always notice and ask about when they visit. In a time when excess feels unnecessary, Choosing Keeping offers something more enduring: thoughtfully chosen pieces that quietly transform a space and make everyday living feel a little more intentional.
The Lounge at Bar Crenn Created by Chef Dominique Crenn, The Lounge at Bar Crenn offers an intimate way to experience one of San Francisco’s most celebrated culinary destinations, through a quick drink and a few thoughtful plates. Set against the warm hum of vinyl records and a softly glamorous backdrop, guests can settle in with one of the lounge’s signature cocktails including the Oldtrack or the Crimson, where classic forms are reworked with precision and restraint by Director of Mixology Florian Thireau. For the food, comfort foods are taken to the next level. Highlight dishes include the pretzel bread with sauce mornay, basil blossoms and pommery mustard and the ‘fish & chips’ feature potato-crusted cod and sauce gribiche – familiar comfort elevated through craft. The Lounge at Bar Crenn reminds us that luxury doesn’t always arrive as a grand gesture or an 8-course tasting menu; sometimes it’s a beautifully made drink, a perfect bite, and the pleasure of lingering just long enough.
Katana Kitten Tucked into Greenwich Village, Katana Kitten blends the energy of Tokyo’s Golden Gai with New York’s neighborhood bar culture. Created by Masahiro Urushido alongside James Tune and Greg Boehm of Cocktail Kingdom Hospitality Group, the two-level space pairs Japanese-inspired cocktails with a casual, music-driven atmosphere that feels lively but unfussy. Beyond the bar, Katana Kitten’s merchandise offering has become a small luxury of its own – graphic tees, caps, glassware, and accessories designed with the same attention to detail as the drinks. These pieces extend the experience beyond the night itself, elevating a home bar or everyday uniform with a subtle sense of place. It’s the kind of indulgence that feels personal rather than performative. A reminder that some of the best luxuries are the ones you can revisit, wear, or use long after you’ve left the bar.
Barnaby’s Chocolates Barnaby’s is a modern chocolate brand known for its thoughtfully made bars and refined approach to everyday indulgence. Rooted in quality ingredients and careful craft, the brand treats chocolate not as an impulse buy, but as something to be enjoyed with a little more intention. Flavours range from ‘TipTap’, a mix of peanut butter, salted caramel and crunch, to Noisey, which pairs white chocolate with hazelnut and pretzel notes, and Dollar, riffing on millionaire shortbread with caramel and tea-tinged chocolate. As a small luxury, Barnaby’s fits neatly into daily life, the kind of elevated snack you keep within reach, or leave out on display for guests. The bars feel considered and gift-worthy, turning a mid-afternoon break or post-dinner square into a moment of quiet pleasure. The appeal lies in its simplicity, thoughtfully made bars that elevate an ordinary moment.
Atheras Spirits Brooklyn-based Atheras Spirits quietly occupies a unique place in the world of craft spirits. Founded by Ektoras Binikos and Simon Jutras, the brand draws on heritage, creativity, and the rhythms of modern mixology to explore botanical spirits that feel as expressive as they are grounded. Inspired by the mountains of Ikaria and built around wild-foraged botanicals and time-honoured techniques, Atheras’ portfolio reflects a kind of thoughtful craftsmanship that rewards slow appreciation. One standout example is Akhenaten Amaro – a layered, herb-infused spirit that doesn’t rush its flavours. With notes that unfold gradually on the palate, it fits as comfortably in a quiet post-dinner moment as it does in an evening cocktail. Placing a bottle on your bar cart turns a routine pour into something more considered – a small luxury that invites you to slow down and savor the act of drinking itself.
