NEW YORK—A bar inspired by Cuban cantinas, Azul opened on the roof of Hotel Hugo in Hudson Square, Manhattan this June. Hospitality design firm Stonehill & Taylor created the space in collaboration with Sean Largotta, owner of Bar Hugo and NYC restaurants Crown, Lion, Bill’s Food & Drink, and Il Principe at Hotel Hugo.
Azul offers a relaxed setting with 360-degree views of Manhattan and the Hudson River. The rooftop is surrounded by plant life and a wraparound glass railing that allows views from anywhere in the bar. Guests can take in the view while lounging or perching at standing cocktail counters.
The relaxed design is meant to evoke a street-side hotspot in Little Havana, with vintage ads, posters for live acts from 1950s, street art, and spray painted graphics. The natural tones are accented by a bright petroleum blue wall and colorful hoop lounge chairs. Nearby, a communal wood table made of reclaimed wood—with yellow and orange salvaged chairs around it, concrete low tables and hanging festoon lights add to the bar’s street-side feel.
Azul will serve light bites—a selection of tacos and bocaditos—made with organic and fresh ingredients. The bar partnered with Brooklyn’s Kelvin Slush and will be one of the first establishments to have Kelvin’s natural slushy machine to create Caribbean-inspired cocktails made with organic slushy.
