Private Club, Timeless Design

This club above a Mexican restaurant was named for a game of chance, a hobby of the elite over which discussions often turned to politics and forging of relationships. The historic space was once a hay loft in a mule barn, now catering to an exclusive, members-only crowd reflected by its upscale, clandestine design. Servicing tequila and cigar connoisseurs, the space recalls a speakeasy inspired by Mexico’s history, heritage, and unique architectural vernacular. Mirrored paneling set within arched shelves nods to the rounded arches of haciendas and a sliding barn ladder elevates original details to reinvent the space. Textural stonework and tiled ceilings compliment the reclaimed exposed brick to refine the existing structure.

Low lighting and reflective surfaces set the scene, with a focal chandelier sourced from a local vintage shop. Smaller, brass table lamps to draw intimacy to the place settings and contrast the loft’s vaulted ceilings. Beneath the bar, a textured wall treatment speaks to the tin cards that were historically used in the game that served as inspiration for the club’s name.

Soft and inviting materials were applied to seating, such as leather and velvet, adorned with woven textiles to tie in Mexican traditions from the restaurant below. The innately old-world space takes inspiration from early cantinas with a marble hearth beneath one-of-a-kind African fertility door carvings, with panels depicting reptilian imagery.