Located along a pedestrian strip in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, Bar Moruno draws inspiration from the owners' passion for Spanish tapas culture and old-world bodegas.
Bar Moruno was created as a follow-up to a previous concept from the same owners. Chris Feldmeier and David Rosoff opened the original two Moruno locations in 2016 before closing them both later the same year. In 2022, the longtime collaborators reunited to re-open the Spanish-style concept as Bar Maruno. When it came time for designing the new location, the duo turned to Studio UNLTD.
"Given that we had designed the original spaces for the Moruno concept several years ago," explains Greg Bleier, founding principal, Studio UNLTD, "we tried to stay true to what the brand was about, which is a timeless ode to the tapas bars of Spain with a hint of mid-century modern tonality and detailing."
Located along a pedestrian strip in the Silver Lake neighborhood of Los Angeles, guests enter Bar Moruno through a pair of oversized double doors. Inside it's earthy and eclectic.
A grand back bar serves as the focal point of the room, with olive green shelving that provides for a dramatic display of eclectic gin and vermouth bottles. The aged Carrera marble bar is faced with faux leather and painted wood paneling.
At the center of the space, a low partition of ribbed walnut topped with a decorative mesh screen serves the dual purpose of expanding the bar footprint with a drink rail and providing privacy to the main dining room.
Bar Moruno "needed to be a true neighborhood restaurant to work within the Silver Lake neighborhood," says Bleier, "so we focused on making it familiar and relaxing for people." On the dining side, two-person booths constructed of slatted walnut feature tapered legs and paprika upholstery. A gallery wall of artwork and mirrors recalls Spanish bodegas.
