The client engaged RAREculture to develop an art program for Little Sister Lounge, an intimate cocktail space tucked beneath the Moxy East Village, designed to channel the neighborhood’s rich history of nightlife and creative rebellion. The brief called for an environment that felt moody, edgy, and a little decadent, capturing the gritty glamour of downtown New York.

‍

Core directives included creating a signature sculptural installation, which evolved into a resin display of whiskey bottles arching dramatically over the bar — a playful yet sophisticated nod to indulgence and underground culture. The client also wanted to root the space in its local music heritage, requesting a series of oversized 6-foot screen prints depicting iconic East Village concert venues, rendered in a bold, graphic style that would energize the lounge while honoring the area’s legendary live music scene. Throughout, the goal was to achieve a look that was artful, slightly subversive, and undeniably tied to the East Village’s rebellious spirit, all wrapped in a high-end, hospitality-ready execution.

‍

“Sometimes, an art hotel can be like a gallery with rooms attached … Here, it’s intended for guests to feel like they’re living with the art.”