Our favorite part of the bar is the banquette in the window. That's why it's there - it's very romantic. You can sit next to each other and look out at the Common. The ceilings are lower than is the current fashion, too, which creates smaller, more intimate spaces. And we wanted to use materials that were seductive, like the velvet on the banquette and the lights over the bar, which play off the mirrored bar surface and create a kind of glittery effect.
Lighting can make all the difference in the feel of a bar.
When it's done just right, it creates a cozy dimness that makes people feel attractive, a conspiratorial atmosphere that encourages exchanges of confidences - the essence of romance. Sandra Fairbank recognized this when designing Anago, the restaurant in the Lenox Hotel. They throw a very warm light that gives everything a golden hue and makes people look good. Ambience aside, bars have two very practical advantages. Bars don't require reservations, and you'll likely be seated right away on a weeknight or later in the evening.