Ryan Chetiyawardana’s culinary approach to mixology and unusual ingredient combinations has led him to be labelled the “Heston Blumenthal of cocktailing” – one of his signature concoctions features fennel pollen with sour and sweet apple and fino sherry – and someone with a reputation like that needs a suitably upmarket bar in which to operate. After award-wining stints at London venues, Ryan has now taken up the role of creative director at Henry, A Liquor Bar; the newly updated bar and lounge of the iconic Hudson hotel in midtown Manhattan.
The swish surroundings are courtesy of the in-house team of Morgans Hotel Group and Rottet Studio. Henry’s subterranean lounge is a cosy and plush place to kick back, and summons the spirit of Mad Men and the American Martini Era, with a dash of avant garde. Classic button leather armchairs and banquettes mix with contemporary loungers, and turned wooden stools are dotted around the backlit chartreuse floor tiling like ornamental pawns. A neon-lit Lee Broom chair hangs decoratively in one corner of the ceiling, which boasts a restored fresco from the original space by Francesco Clemente.
