Milady’s
Client Objective:
The Milady’s design offers an elevated cocktail experience. The partners Julie Reiner, Susan Fedroff, Christine Williams, and Sam Sherman are seasoned restauranteurs with star bartending chops and were approached during the pandemic about opening a restaurant in Soho. The corner space had been a beloved local dive bar called Milady’s for 70 years before having a brief iteration as a rather beige Italian restaurant which (thankfully) left a full kitchen build-out. This Milady’s team requested a design that comfortably seated and easily served 65-70 for dinner/brunch, that optimized the long lengths of windows, and that focused on a beautiful bar. They wanted refined finishes that didn’t take themselves too seriously and conveyed a “Naughty Nancy Drew” vibe.
One specific request was a “showcase well”, meaning a third bar station for guest star mixologists.
Design Solution:
Hospitality design always demands tactical practicality, inspired vision, and a playfulness that translate into superb customer experience and enhanced earning potential. Milady’s rectangular space stretches along Prince Street and offered opportunities for three dining zones which are distinguished by color, proportion, and proximity to the bar, while united in the warmth of custom millwork. The extensive bar display and focus on cocktail performance honor the mixologist prowess leading this new Milady’s. I defined the special bar station (the “showcase well”) by its proximity to the redlight window, its close contact with the VIP lounge, and its singular backbar display (tufted pink, breast-shaped lights, and a client-sourced strobe rooster).
Milady’s and its owners were a hot topic when it opened in 2022 and is listed among the best in the world by industry insiders. The design itself was featured in a great Interior Design Magazine piece.
Feature Highlight:
The lighting design is multifaceted and achieves my intentions of a flattering, sensual glow. While there are some ceiling mounted fixtures in the main space, most of the lights shine at face level – from the backbar display, the central large lamps, and the smaller library lamps along the window banquettes. In the private dining area, the lights honor the billiard theme of the space – a ceiling cove feature is sized to mimic a pool table and feature lighting illuminates the pool cue art installation by Chris Reiner.
Postscript:
During my design process for Milady’s, I collaborated with Karen Wright Design who selected and sourced the finishes and furniture. From our shared office space in Gowanus Brooklyn, Karen and I enjoy a cohesive design process which allows us to bring a sense of creative joy to the restaurant clients we share.
Fun Fact – Star mixologist Julie Reiner is one of the judges on Drink Masters
lga’s team:
Lynn Gaffney, Ida Tam Karen Wright Design Contractor: Clare Renovations Art Installation and Back Bar millwork: Chris Reiner Finished photographs by Ben Rahn of A-Frame
