Retro-Futuristic Oasis in Manhattan's LES

A two-level cocktail lounge, restaurant and live-music venue is a creation of Brooklyn-based Studio Omar Aqeel, envisioned as a “retro-futuristic oasis” that seamlessly blends various design influences into a singular, captivating experience.

GALLERY  

The journey begins through an arched opening leading to a bar area lined from floor to ceiling with cobalt blue tiles, complete with matching blue grouting.

Studio Omar Aqeel’s interior design references a medley of inspirations, including Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey, Eileen Gray’s E-1027 villa, and Alexander Calder’s sculptures. The studio describes the venue as “a site of sensory fantasy – especially for discerning creatives – with a unique aesthetic that encourages endless discovery.”

A brushed-aluminium bar counter, featuring rounded ends mirrored by an overhead light fixture, anchors the space. Industrial-style bar stools provide seating for seven, while banquettes upholstered in Verner Panton’s 1969 Black and White Optik textile add space for eight more guests.

Cobalt blue accents continue in the main dining area, where earthy limewashed walls contrast with bright blue seat cushions. This space, situated to the left of the entrance, features voyeuristic egress allowing glimpses into the subterranean lounge. Domed dining niches with crescent-shaped blue booths offer an intimate dining experience.

For those seeking exclusivity, a private dining room accommodates up to ten guests. This space is adorned with a wall-to-wall, hand-painted mural inspired by the Bauhaus abstract grid, featuring Ant chairs by Arne Jacobsen for Fritz Hansen, a vintage Makio Hasuike for Seccose metro dining table, and Maru pendant lighting by Ingo Maurer.

Descending to the basement-level lounge, cobalt blue once again dominates, enveloping nearly every surface. Aluminium accents and playful lighting fixtures introduce warmth to the cool-toned space, creating a unique ambiance. Art and design pieces by New York-based creatives, including Max Simon, Blue Green Works, and Nico Anon, add to the venue’s distinctive character.

Only Love Strangers is more than just a bar and restaurant; it is an artistic haven where design and sensory experiences converge, offering patrons a truly unique escape in the heart of Manhattan.

Images by Ori Harpaz via Dezeen

Stasia Holdings Pty Ltd is forging ahead with its ambitious office development at 232-240 Elizabeth Street, Surry Hills, ...

The revitalisation of Melbourne’s historic 189 Toorak Road has commenced, led by global architecture firm Skidmore, Owings & ...

The historic Sanlu Factory in Beijing's Yongsheng Hutong, Dongcheng District, has undergone a visionary transformation by Shouzhiwenke and ...