There’s a new reason to make a reservation at Bar Leone. The recently opened SoHo cocktail lounge, known for its stylish interiors, expertly crafted martinis, and Italian-inspired nightlife, has added another element to its already impressive setting: a new sculpture by artist Edoardo Cozzani.
On October 22nd, restaurateur Andres Diaz and Cozzani welcomed guests from New York’s art and design community for the unveiling of Leonina, a sculptural work now on display at the corner of the lounge’s staircase.
The installation is a natural fit for Bar Leone, where art is just as much a part of the experience as what’s being poured behind the bar. Designed in collaboration with BOND, the two-story, 4,800-square-foot space brings together mid-century Italian influences, rich textures, and a distinctly downtown New York energy.
For Cozzani, the relationship between art and its surroundings is an essential part of the creative process. “I like the idea of creating unique work that plays with the space it inhabits. Choosing the stone and glass to merge with the colors and textures that surround them,” the artist shared.
That attention to detail is evident throughout Bar Leone. Upstairs, a sophisticated Martini lounge features warm Sapele wood, corduroy velvet, and red travertine, while downstairs, red velvet wallpaper, vinyl banquettes, and a lacquered bar set the scene for an evening of Italo disco and late-night cocktails.
The lounge also features a rotating art program, with works refreshed every three to four months, offering guests something new to discover with each visit. Rather than treating art as an afterthought, Diaz has made it central to the space’s identity.
“Looking at the windows of Bar Leone from the street, it feels like a unique space in New York,” Cozzani said. “The art is on view and showcased as in an art gallery. But at the same time you can live with the work as if in a living space. A beautiful home.”
Beyond the art, Bar Leone’s menu is equally considered, with a Martini-focused cocktail program, an extensive wine selection, and refined small plates ranging from Kumamoto oysters and caviar service to prime beef carpaccio. A curated music program moves from jazz and funk upstairs to Italo disco and nu-disco downstairs, making the lounge as much a destination for a night out as it is for a perfectly mixed drink.
With the arrival of Leonina, Bar Leone continues to carve out its place at the intersection of art, design, and New York nightlife. And in a city where a good cocktail bar is hardly difficult to find, it’s the thoughtful details that make a place worth returning to.
Bar Leone is located at 527 Broome Street in SoHo. For more information, visit barleonenyc.com.
