This subterranean Negroni bar in Manhattan will lure you to return for more
Sotto is a newly opened Negroni bar in Manhattan giving the traditional speakeasy experience a modern feel
Nestled beneath Lupetto, a chic wood-fired Italian steakhouse in NoMad, New York, sits Sotto – a sophisticated below-ground Negroni bar in Manhattan’s Flatiron District. Beyond the rich scent of woody vermouth and burnt orange, Sotto’s distinct ambiance is crafted by low-lit, pink- and golden-hued vignettes strategically placed to lure guests to return for more.
Despite the bustling activity above ground, Sotto’s subterranean nature transforms the experience into one of immersion. Co-partners Danu Kennedy and Jeremy Levitt of Parts and Labor Design, who created the interiors, say, ‘The moment you enter, you forget what time it is, let alone what number Negroni you’re on. It’s a very transportive space, which encourages guests to inhabit the current moment and focus on what’s right in front of them.’
Sotto, a subterranean Negroni bar in New York
The design of Sotto delivers an unapologetically sexy mood, drawing inspiration from the old-world history of its location. The intentional blend of nostalgia and novelty is evident in the layout, fostering connection within an intimate setting. ‘All the banquettes are positioned to be outward facing with the tables in the middle being larger seating groups, like you’re there for dinner and a show, but the show is the other diners. Everyone’s there to drink and be merry.’
A velvet-framed chandelier takes centre stage, adorned with a squared grove of hand-dyed tassels. Triangular metallic sconces and delicate lamps elegantly illuminate the walls, transforming them into jewels. The dark burled wood-clad walls and low ceiling contribute to the sensation of an exclusive private party, enhanced by rich materials like luxe pink velvet.
Sotto, with its loungy feel, features dining-height elements upholstered and softened. ‘The banquettes, in particular, are styled to feel more like sofas. There’s also a special Hollywood-style banquette created in a quirky nook,’ add Kennedy and Levitt.
The drink menu offers a refined experience with a focus on craft amari. Whether it’s sparkling, white, rosé, or red wine, or an exclusive selection of cocktails, including the signature Lupetto Negroni, Sotto caters to guests with diverse lifestyles, ‘whether they’re urban, suburban, or somewhere in between’, as per the design team.
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox
Sofia de la Cruz is the Travel Editor at Wallpaper*. She was born in Madrid, Spain but moved to London when she was 14 years old. Being exposed to the city’s creative pulse at such a young age shaped her into the inquisitive professional she is today. Before joining the Wallpaper* team in 2023, she worked for Hypebae and Hypebeast UK, where she focused on the intersection of art, fashion, and culture. Additionally, she contributed to Futurevvorld by covering a variety of sustainability topics.
-
Get to know Issey Miyake’s innovative A-POC ABLE line as it arrives in the UK
As A-POC ABLE Issey Miyake launches in London this week, designer Yoshiyuki Miyamae gives Wallpaper* the lowdown on the experimental Issey Miyake offshoot
By Jack Moss Published
-
Eurovision unveils its 2024 stage, designed by Beyoncé's Renaissance Tour creatives
This year's stage design aims to bring the audience into the performance more than ever before.
By Charlotte Gunn Published
-
Ikea meets Japan in this new pattern-filled collection
New Ikea Sötrönn collection by Japanese artist Hiroko Takahashi brings Japan and Scandinavia together in a pattern-filled, joyful range for the home
By Rosa Bertoli Published
-
Inside the lavish, members-only Core Club New York
Core Club opens a new flagship in New York, boasting top-tier hospitality and entertainment, and a terrace with panoramic Manhattan views
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Warren Street Hotel is a colourful marvel in downtown Tribeca
The Warren Street Hotel boasts a distinct blue façade and eclectic interiors by Kit Kemp Design Studio
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
San Sabino offers mellow Italian-American dining in New York
San Sabino debuts in New York’s West Village, helmed by Angie Rito and Scott Tacinelli, with interiors by GRT Architects
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Fried chicken fever? Coqodaq knows how to do it
Devoted disciples of Korean fried chicken can worship at Manhattan’s Coqodaq, designed by the Rockwell Group
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
New York restaurant The Wesley’s interiors reflect its plant-forward menu
At New York restaurant The Wesley, living walls, wheat stalks and pressed flora adorn a trio of starkly different spaces designed by Elmo Studios
By Dan Howarth Published
-
Bondst Hudson Yards promises intimate Japanese dining in NYC
Bondst inaugurates its second location, facing the Hudson River, following the success of its flagship location in NoHo
By Sofia de la Cruz Published
-
Silencio New York opens with an enigmatic, Harry Nuriev-designed interior
Silencio New York is the new chapter of the original David Lynch-envisioned Parisian nightclub
By Adrian Madlener Published
-
Jac’s on Bond channels 1990s New York cool
Jac’s on Bond is a new NoHo bar boasting Gachot Studios interiors, Awake NY uniforms and Janette Beckman photographs
By Sofia de la Cruz Published