Cobalt blue surfaces adorn this Manhattan bar and restaurant, designed by Brooklyn-based Studio Omar Aqeel as a “retro-futuristic oasis.”
Located at the corner of East Houston and Allen streets, Only Love Strangers is a two-level cocktail lounge, restaurant, and live music venue inspired by the surrealism of the 1960s and 70s.
For the interiors, Studio Omar Aqeel drew inspiration from a range of sources, including Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: A Space Odyssey,” Eileen Gray’s E-1027 villa, and the sculptures of Alexander Calder.
“Only Love Strangers is a site of sensory fantasy, particularly for discerning creatives, offering a unique aesthetic that invites endless discovery,” the team explained.
Visitors to the 6,300-square-foot (585-square-metre) venue are welcomed by a cantilevered, brushed-aluminium host stand.
Through an arched opening, guests find a bar area clad in floor-to-ceiling cobalt blue tiles with matching blue grout.
The brushed-aluminium bar counter features rounded ends mirrored by an overhead light fixture, while industrial-style bar stools offer seating for seven.
Banquettes, upholstered in Verner Panton’s 1969 Black and White Optik textile, provide additional seating for eight.
In the main dining area to the left of the entrance, earthy limewash walls contrast with the bright blue cushions of built-in seats.
“A voyeuristic egress allows guests to peek into the subterranean lounge, while domed dining niches with blue crescent-shaped booths create a more intimate dining experience,” the team noted.