Le Bar Bat - New York City, NY (June 1991)“Quietly and mysteriously located along bustling Wes
Le Bar Bat - New York City, NY (June 1991)“Quietly and mysteriously located along bustling West 57th Street in New York City, Le Bar Bat is identified by a 14 foot copper bat that crowns the main entrance. Inside, the sacred has given way to the profane at this pan-Asian restaurant and club located in a former church. It is as much a transition from city life as can be had in Manhattan. The main room is carved out of what was the nave of the church and now is the imaginary “center clearing of the village.” The open kitchen and main bar are the anchors at either end of the space. The bar, raised on a platform, was designed to feel like the kind of place one might find in an exotic Asian resort. Angled tree-like columns with oriental inscriptions define and delineate the bar area from the dining space. Swooping above are cobalt blue copper-winged bats that hang between the original gothic trusses. The mezzanine jogs hack and forth over the lower level, creating unique vantage points above and establishing an intimate feeling to the seating below. The decor is purposely tired, almost shabby looking, as though its materials have been used and thrown away only to be used again. Bamboo has been juxtaposed with stained woods, metal and leather. Walls are covered in collages made from antique papers or are rubbed plaster and gold leaf. Even the bar top and ceiling were made to look old and weathered by using decorative painting techniques. Le Bar Bat is a slightly surreal trek through the wilds of tropical Asia. It is a vacation destination for those looking for a little enchantment; or a port-of-call for anyone wishing to escape from routine.” Designed by David Rockwell of Haverson/Rockwell Architects Scanned from ‘Restaurant Design 3′ by Judi Radice -- source link