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The Hyatt Union Square has quietly undertaken a full gut renovation of its lobby and with it comes a brand-new cocktail destination: Bar Sella. The redesign, led by New York-based Legeard Studio, turns what was once a fairly standard hotel entry into something more along the lines of a design-forward hangout you’d actually hang out at.
The brief? Rethink the lobby entirely. The new design feels somewhere in between Palm Springs modernism and Italian midcentury, thanks to a custom-patterned stone floor, a marble reception desk and a large-scale painting by Brooklyn artist Joe Henry Baker. Behind it, a Bauhaus-inspired stained-glass wall turns light into bold blocks of color, while sculptural lanterns dangle overhead.
From there, a wood-paneled lounge area gives off 1970s-style “conversation pit” vibes, while a towering greenery installation acts as a natural divider, subtly guiding you toward the main event: Bar Sella.
Tucked just beyond the lobby, the cocktail lounge feels like its own little world. The bar itself is the focal point, thanks to a Charlotte Perriand-inspired structure framed by dramatic Verde Antigua marble and topped with a sculptural plaster installation. Around it, you’ll find diamond-patterned woodwork, mosaic flooring and Murano glass-style sconces, along with circular booths. The menu is unfussy, with a tight lineup of crowd-pleasers like a Bar Sella burger with bacon and blue cheese, garlic prawns in sherry and a classic Caesar.
It’s a notable addition for the neighborhood. Located just off Union Square at 13th Street and Fourth Avenue, the hotel now has a street-level draw that doesn’t rely on you having a room key. Whether you’re stopping in for one drink or settling in for the evening, Bar Sella makes a strong case for rethinking the role of the hotel lobby—and maybe sticking around a little longer than planned.
