Bar Henry, a compact Italian-Modern dining space tucked inside Henry Singer’s flagship store, has been named a finalist in the Hospitality Design category at the 8th annual GRAY Awards. The recognition spotlights a project that transforms spatial constraints into a case study in luxury hospitality.
From Retail to Culinary Destination
Henry Singer’s flagship location marks the 85-year-old brand’s most ambitious undertaking. Rather than limiting the space to traditional retail, executives added Bar Henry as a dedicated culinary extension. The goal was to offer customers something beyond shopping—an environment where the brand’s commitment to quality and craftsmanship could be experienced firsthand.
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Designers from McKinley Studios took on the project knowing the dimensions would be tight. The venue has ‘compact dimensions’ and ‘tight’ constraints, with existing structural walls and floor-level changes already in place. Traffic flow and furniture placement required careful planning to avoid congestion while maintaining an inviting atmosphere.
Design Language and Materials
The aesthetic pulls from two distinct influences: the warmth of vintage cigar boxes and the clean geometry of Italian Modernism. Burled walnut panels line portions of the interior, contrasted against polished chrome details. Every piece of furniture—from the dining sets to the barstools—was custom-built for the space, reinforcing the bespoke character the brand seeks to project.
The layout divides into four functional zones: a main dining area, an open kitchen, a bar and café counter, and a separate wait-list area. Each zone maintains visual cohesion with the others, using consistent materials and a restrained color palette that leans heavily on wood tones and metallic finishes.
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Who Gets In
Bar Henry operates with a strict guest cap of under 30 people at any given time. The menu reflects this exclusivity—curated rather than expansive, with dishes that work within the kitchen’s equipment limitations. A signature espresso blend anchors the beverage program, paired alongside a rotating selection of premium wines. The focus stays on quality over quantity, a philosophy that mirrors the retail philosophy running through the rest of the flagship.
The space functions as an extension of the shopping experience without feeling like an afterthought. Customers finishing a purchase can transition into Bar Henry for a sit-down moment, creating a longer dwell time and a deeper connection to the brand environment.
