11
With sometimes more than 1000 bars in opperation at any given time, NYC doesn't make it easy to choose a good hang out spot. There are almost too many places to count that have awesome interiors worthy of this list, but we widdled it down to 10 that really made an impression on us.
If you've been looking for a cool, new place to check out, consider this your invitation.
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10
Madam Geneva
Designers: AvroKO
A bar yearning for decades past British Singapore, Madam Geneva is tucked inside NoHo's Double Crown. Lace paneled walls, hanging lanterns, and a gramophone blend effortlessly with more urban styling including exposed brick and exposed steel, the décor is enhanced with dark blue leather couches and cozy hidden nooks. [MadamGeneva]
photo from Fast Company
9
Spuyten Duyvil
Designers: Joe and Kim Carrol, Owners
This is just a good old beer hall with a red tin ceiling, mahogany bar, and chalk board beer listing. Maps and scientific illustrations are nice additions to the space and give it an old-timey vibe, perfect for Williamsburg. [SpuytenDuyvil]
8
Trailer Park Lounge
Designers: Tony and Andy, Owners
Old signs, scantily clad mannequins, and a Santa with his reindeer join other awesomely kitschy memorabilia adorning the walls of the Trailer Park Lounge. Founded in 2000 by owners Tony and Andy, the bar offers up a 1950s rockabilly vibe for its Chelsea patrons. [TrailerParkLounge]
7
Huckleberry Bar
Designers: BILT DFI, Aaron Schneider, Jason Boggs and owners, Stephanie Schneider and Andrew Boggs
The designers and owners worked together to create a natural, sustainable space, using materials like lyptus woods, wrought iron, cork, tile and glass. The end result was a low-key space with sophisticated lighting features. [HuckleberryBar]
6
Public
Designers: AvrKO
Located in a former muffin factory, public alludes to just what you’d think it would: public buildings, with clever visual references abound: clipboards for menus, educational materials, card catalogue, school clocks. The space is refined yet playful. [Public]
5
Union Hall
Designers: Jim Carden and Andy Templar, Owners
This 5000 sq/ft space in Park Slope was converted from a warehouse. Owners Jim Carden and Andy Templar installed fireplaces, a library, two bocce courts, and a collection of lux vintage seating on the first floor, giving the space an old boy’s club/smoking parlor feeling. The basement on the other hand has a more downtown music venue vibe, with a second bar and an open stage space. Even the bathrooms are elegant with mosaic tiles and dark wood. [UnionHall]
4
Apothéke
Designers: Christopher and Heather Tierney
The apothecary-themed cocktail bar harks back to an early 1900s Singapore with plush couches, velvet ottomans, ornate flooring, and dim lighting. The back of the main space is anchored by a 30ft bar made from Carrara marble, and a hand carved back bar, filled with hundreds of antique medicine bottles collected from around the world. Even the light sconces are filled with herbal liquids. [Apothéke]
3
Five Leaves
Designers: John and Kevin McCormick
This nautically themed restaurant, café, and bar occupies the triangular space at Bedford Ave, Lorimer St., and Nassau Ave. in Greenpoint. John and Kevin McCormick (who have also designed Freemans, Beatice Inn and Moto) worked on the interior of the space – John uses oxidation, ageing techniques on surfaces and metals, while Kevin uses candle wax, motor oil, nails, keys, etc. to weather and age walls and the ceiling. These applications give the bar a casual, rustic, lived in vibe of an old fishing boat. [FiveLeaves]
photo from eater.com
2
Ace Hotel Lobby Bar
Designer: Robin Standefer of Roman & Williams Buildings & Interiors
This dark cozy lounge is less of a hotel bar and more of a cocktail club. Robin Stendefer collected a mix of custom pieces and vintage items like pendant globes, vintage signs, taxidermy animals and scientific illustrations to decorate the space. The color-pallet of the space is “non-color” focusing on blacks, whites and wood. Red couches and random pops of color brings depth and sophistication to the lounge. [AceHotel]
photo from Aphasia Design
1
Weather Up
Designer: Matt Maddy, Co-owner
This intimate speakeasy pays homage to its NYC home with white subway tiles artfully adorning the space from the façade to the ceiling. The toughness of the metal bar and exposed brick are a welcomed juxtaposition to the stark tiles and soft box lighting. If the tight nature of the interior space isn’t your style, head outside to Weather Up’s backyard garden. The bar’s signature white color and rustic feeling is carried through to the white distressed wood benches of the spacious deck. [WeatherUp]
photo by Daniel Krieger