“GoldBar wasn’t just a concept or club to anyone who was a part of bringing it to life. The perfect players were brought together through divine intervention, and we put our collective life force into every square inch of 389 Broome Street. It was like the magic and energy surrounding the project had even seeped into variables we couldn’t control. Not every project moves you in this way, but the ones that do — you remember forever.”
— Rachel Cobian, Creative Liaison
When Cain creators Robert McKinley and Jamie Mulholland purchased a storefront on Broome Street in 2006, they assembled a team of visionaries to transform the space into an exclusive cocktail lounge. New York nightlife had lost much of its creative energy, and the owners wanted to offer patrons a unique experience in contrast to the ubiquitous neon lights, house music, and bottle service of the Meatpacking District. The concept was novel: combine old-world European grandeur with modern irreverence. McKinley drew further inspiration for this high-concept venue from the catacombs in Paris and Capuchin crypts in Rome — a nod to the seedy underbelly of the city.
“GoldBar wasn’t just a concept or club to anyone who was a part of bringing it to life,” says Rachel Cobian, Creative Liaison for Mpire. “The perfect players were brought together through divine intervention, and we put our collective life force into every square inch of 389 Broome Street. It was like the magic and energy surrounding the project had even seeped into variables we couldn’t control. Not every project moves you in this way, but the ones that do — you remember forever.”
From the start, Mpire played a critical role in bringing GoldBar to life. Principal Moon Mehta consulted in the creative development and art direction of the space and was given creative license in the whole-scale installation and custom-designed collateral. Cobian oversaw the production and assembly of GoldBar’s iconic 2,400 hand-painted skulls, stacked on the walls like bricks within the inner sanctum of the lounge. To counterpoint the macabre and add a touch of romance, Mpire engaged artist Vinnie “Fact One” Facarra to create large graffiti murals emblazoned with the word “amore.” Every meticulous detail — from the gold-leafed barrel-vaulted ceiling to the sweeping gold chain curtains and Cartier-inspired tables — reflects the clients’ glittering vision and is a testament to the energy and passion of the team. The effect is mesmerizing — an over-the-top golden interior dripping with unadulterated excess.
New York’s gilt NoLita ossuary has been a pilgrimage site for partygoers since 2007. A favorite of Jay-Z, Beyonce, Lady Gaga, John Mayer, and Lenny Kravitz (whose song Dancin’ ‘Til Dawn is about the hotspot), GoldBar is synonymous with decadence, indulgence, and timelessness. More than a club, it’s a cultural experience; the Studio 54 of a new generation with one important difference — this party’s still getting started.
Leave A Comment