Bar Madonna fuses fashion and cocktails to bring Williamsburg a new space for elevated bar food and inventive drinks
Italian-American-inspired cocktail house Bar Madonna has officially opened its doors in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Founded by longtime collaborators and alums of NYC’s Italian restaurant scene (Lupa, Babbo, and Carbone,) Eric Madonna and Ray Rando, the bar looks to bring together the best parts of the drinks world, high and low, by combing elevated bar food with creative riffs on classic cocktails and design elements from one of the neighborhood’s more famous fashion creatives, Colm Dillane, aka KidSuper.
Located in a 1,000-square-foot space on Metropolitan Ave, Catarina Guimarães, founder of Brazil-based creative consultancy Studio Guia, was responsible for bringing the space to life. An eight-foot by six-foot original painting by KidSuper acts as the bar’s centerpiece. Elsewhere, visitors will find limewash walls, white brick, and raw wood, along with glass block windows, antique mirrors, and reclaimed sconces. Staff, meanwhile, is outfitted with KidSuper-designed Mechanic shirts, and even the bathrooms feature the KidSuper touch. They’re outfitted with wallpaper featuring a KidSuper painting dubbed “Salvador Bahia,” connecting back to the homebase of Studio Guia.
The beverage menu mixes classic cocktails with inventive riffs and modern techniques. Curated by General Manager and Beverage Director Rob Crowe, the opening menu features 14 cocktails, which covers four draft sips alongside a curated roster of amari, grappas, and sambuca and a selective wine and beer list. Signatures include the Madonna Bellini (peach, plum, gin, prosecco), The Bialetti (vodka, Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur, Oloroso Sherry, hazelnut, coffee,) and 68th and Harrow (citrus infused vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry, lime, bubbles).
On the food side, visitors can expect elevated bar snacks. Led by Executive Chef and Partner Chef Rob Zwirz, Bar Madonna’s menu reimagines beloved Italian ingredients and preparation styles. Signature dishes include: Smashed Meatball Parm (aged beef, pistachio pesto sugo, provolone, parmigiano crisp, semolina bun), Calabrese Wings (Pickled Calabrian hot sauce, buttermilk vinaigrette), and Oxtail Croquettes (blood orange marmellata, celery salsa verde).
“The genesis of Bar Madonna is one of friendship, as the concept stemmed from a desire to create something exceptional – and fun – with Ray, whom I’ve worked with for many years,” says Madonna. “I was further inspired by the creative approach of Colm [KidSuper], another longtime friend with an unmatched, innovative mindset. By also bringing Chef Rob into the fold, we have brought to life a dynamic cocktail bar that nods to our lived Italian-American experience while offering guests a completely unique space to unwind.”
Bar Madonna is located at 367 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211. It is open 5PM til 2AM Tuesday through Sunday
For more information or to make reservations head over to the official website.