Perched above New York’s acclaimed all-vegan and three-Michelin-starred restaurant Eleven Madison Park, Clemente Bar is another venture from chef Daniel Humm; this time with longtime friend and artist Francesco Clemente. Together the pair conceived of a cocktail bar that celebrates food, mixology, and art. They looked to Allied Works to turn the former private event space into an intimate venue that can hold its own among New York’s established scenes for swanky imbibes.
For the architects, this translated to a timeless and sensorial visual language. “Our design vision was about warmth and invitation—an intimate experience characterized by warm wood, soft light, and rich colors that serves as a backdrop for exquisite food and art, a place where a guest can feel relaxed and at home, extending a spirit of hospitality and joy,” said Brad Cloepfil, founder of Allied Works.
The studio turned the building’s second floor into a 39-seat lounge and a eight-seat chef’s counter, each continuing the burgundy, brown, and gold-speckled color palette of the project as a whole. The hues work in tandem with three new 17-foot-long murals Clemente provided for the space. The artist’s figurative paintings and terra-cotta tones both match the interior design language and lend the space a layer of consideration.
The architects themselves got in on the handcrafted action. Details in the walnut wood panels, which envelope the cocktail lounge and corridors, are crafted by hand from Allied Works in the architects’ shop. “We were drawn to the idea of shaping and carving wood in such a way that you might not see the fine detail until you were very close to the wall panel,” continued Cloepfil. “One of our favorite Pacific Northwest artists is wood sculptor Leroy Setziol, and our jewel pieces are inspired by his work. They were a way to add something done by hand, totally idiosyncratic and unique to the space and the people who made it.”
While the space is elegant, Clemente Bar isn’t without its funk and flair. More idiosyncratic choices, particularly in furnishings, liven up the atmosphere. The interiors include customized furniture from Brett Robinson, including the sculptural ottomans and steel tables. Other surprising choices feature a brightly striped sofa, whose pattern playful aligns with the rectilinear-patterned wall panels. The space is interspersed with lighting by Carsten Holler.
Allied Works looked to iconic bars and hotels in the city as well as global destinations as design references. “We often pull our precedent from historic references, and this time we looked at (and visited) the Kronenhalle Bar in Zürich—one of Daniel’s favorite places—which is filled with incredible art and layers of history. We also looked at the proportions and textures of the Shokin-tei tea pavilion in Kyoto in addition to beautifully complex salons and libraries of collectors, artists, and friends,” explained Cloepfil.
The tranquility and scale of tea pavilions can be felt in the chef’s counter, which lies adjacent to the cocktail lounge. The room features carved wood battens that immerse the room in texture while creating a distinct separate space. At the heart of the zone, the counter is made of hinoki wood and stone, strategically illuminated to spotlight the food on the counter as it’s served, one thoughtful touch of many in Clemente Bar.