Bar Madonna is an Italian-American-inspired Williamsburg cocktail bar fusing art, fashion, and storytelling. Founded by longtime collaborators and alums of NYC’s Italian restaurant scene (Lupa, Babbo, Carbone, to name a few) Eric Madonna and Ray Rando. Disruptive design from Catarina Guimarães’ Studio Guia with an assist from Art Director KidSuper, an established multimedia artist and entertainer, resulted in a convivial craft cocktail bar. Undertones of irreverence shine across a menu that has familiar, yet novel takes on Italian-American staples including a clarified Bellini on tap, boozy Manhattan Specials, and bar food from Executive Chef and Partner Rob Zwirz, like Calabrese Wings.
“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 Eric Madonna, managing partner of Bar Madonna in a statement. “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.”
Balancing an artful, world-class approach to cocktails with Bar Madonna’s signature creativity, the beverage menu infuses classic recipes with inventive riffs and modern techniques. Curated by General Manager and Beverage Director Rob Crowe, the opening menu features coconut-washed gin, clarified cocktails, and fermented ingredients.
The 14-cocktail menu covers four draft sips alongside a curated roster of amari, grappas, and sambuca and a selective wine and beer list. Some menu signatures include:
- Madonna Bellini / peach, plum, gin, prosecco
- Brooklyn Special / coffee Michter’s Bourbon & Rye, Fernet, cherry, bubbles
- The Bialetti / vodka, Mr. Black Coffee Liqueur, Oloroso Sherry, hazelnut, coffee
- 68th and Harrow / citrus infused vodka, orange liqueur, cranberry, lime, bubbles
Bar Madonna’s versatility is further displayed through its food offerings, eschewing the pasta dishes frequently synonymous with Italian-American cuisine in favor of their take on elevated bar snacks. Led by Executive Chef and Partner Chef Rob Zwirz, alongside a leadership team that has cut its teeth in New York Italian institutions, Bar Madonna’s menu brings witty reimaginings of Italian ingredients and preparation styles to life. Signature dishes include:
- Smashed Meatball Parm / aged beef, pistachio pesto sugo, provolone, parmigiano crisp, semolina bun
- Calabrese Wings / Pickled Calabrian hot sauce, buttermilk vinaigrette
- Oxtail Croquettes / blood orange marmellata, celery salsa verde
- Prawns & Polenta / ‘Nduja vinaigrette, braised greens
- Lamb Spiedino / charred ramps, mint pesto, horseradish, jus
Life quite literally imitates art at Bar Madonna, which is an original piece of artwork of the same name from Colm Dillane, also known as KidSuper, come to life. Serving as the bar’s centerpiece, guests will be able to look up at the eight-foot by six-foot painting and witness the inspiration for the very venue they are standing in.
Outside of the actual art piece, KidSuper’s sensibilities are felt throughout the roomy 1,000-square-foot space. The bar is outfitted with an eclectic combination of textures and aesthetics including limewash walls, white brick, and raw wood. Complimenting its food and beverage menus, Bar Madonna further plays into nostalgia with glass block windows, antique mirrors, and reclaimed sconces accenting the space. Staff is uniquely outfitted with KidSuper-designed Mechanic shirts, and dinner guests will notice the designer’s illustrations of Madonna’s and Rando’s family photos dating back to the 1940s on each plate. The bar’s vibrancy extends to the bathrooms, which are outfitted with a custom wallpaper by Parete Walls featuring a KidSuper painting, dubbed “Salvador Bahia.”
To bring the vision to life, the Bar Madonna team enlisted Catarina Guimarães, founder and creative director of Brazil-based creative consultancy and design studio Studio Guia. Translating the bar from canvas to physical space was made possible by Guimarães’ expertise in both architecture and storytelling, and her eye brings an unmatched energy to the Williamsburg space. The team collaborated with Space Exploration and Vera Forma, to execute the design vision.
In addition to a playful aesthetic, food and beverage menus, guests can also feel shades of Eric Madonna’s music background in the form of a carefully selected, hip-hop and R&B-heavy playlist that pulses through a House Under Magic audio system.
Opening evenings to start, Bar Madonna features up to 10 bar seats, 40 interior table seats, and plenty of standing room and bar rails. Brunch, extended hours, and outdoor seating to come.
Bar Madonna is located at 367 Metropolitan Ave, Brooklyn, NY 11211. Operating hours are 5PM – 2AM Tuesday – Sunday.
