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2025 Award Winners

rd+d exists to share projects, examples and stories that educate and inspire. When the rd+d awards were launched nine years ago, our team wanted to highlight the projects that made readers proud

Project Profile: Bar Louie

This polished-casual concept used extensive consumer feedback to create a brighter, more open space designed to turn customers into regulars.

Trending: Wine Bars

Wine bars are coming into their own with many new venues opening in cities across the U.S.

This Detroit Bar is Built for Intimate Moments

Thiscozy, contemporary bar transports guests back in time by welcoming them through a bespoke alleyway entrance.

Art-Filled Cocktail and Oyster Bar Opens in Denver

Warm, textural and welcoming, Traveling Mercies is a new, intimate oyster bar whose design was inspired by the hole-in-the-wall spots chef Caroline Glover seeks out while traveling.

Bar Design, Done Right

Bars are often the centerpiece of restaurants and serve as a draw to patrons. Savvy designers are highlighting bars, where appropriate, while also making them functional and effective.

Are Bars Getting Bigger?

30% of restaurant development + design readers surveyed noted that their bar projects are getting bigger.

new and notable: Percy, Boise, Idaho

With a design that centers on authenticity in material and form, Percy serves as the warm heart of Hearth, a 161-unit mixed-used complex in downtown Boise, Idaho.

new + notable: Aslin Brewing Company, Pittsburgh

This two-story project spans nearly 13,000 square feet and features a 10-barrel brewhouse, an 18-seat bar, cafe, dining areas and an outdoor patio.

Massive Entertainment Space Opens in Historic Charleston

A multi-tiered dining and entertainment space has just entered the historic downtown Charleston market. Here's a look inside.

Best Practices for Designing an Inclusive Restaurant

Five best practices for designing a restaurant where everyone feels comfortable.

Local Tavern Renovates While Honoring its Historic Roots

Yankee Doodle Tap Room's renovation honors a mural-sized Norman Rockwell painting of Yankee Doodle riding his pony.

Flashy and Fun: This 36-Seat Speakeasy Packs a Punch

Below the lucky cat neon sign in a popular Vietnamese restaurant, patrons find a 36-seat speakeasy with a refined and eclectic vibe.

Aphotic Debuts in San Francisco

From acclaimed Chef Peter Hemsley, Aphotic draws inspiration from a Greek prefix meaning “without light."

D.C. Gin Bar Crafts more than Cocktails

An intimate cocktail bar hides in the heart of Capitol Hill

2023 Award Winners

There’s plenty to celebrate as the restaurant community continues to rebuild and apply important lessons learned over the last several years of upheaval. 

Private Club Elevates Member Dining

A country club in Northern California caters to a younger demographic with a dining renovation that includes the dining room, bar and patio.

Rooftop Bar Suspends Hotel Guests Above ATL

Fifteen stories high, the rooftop bar was imagined to be an unexpected, dramatic experience with skyline views in every direction.

2022 Designers Dish!

For this year’s Designers Dish, we turned to six professional designers to share their thoughts and advice.

This Texas Restaurant asks What If Fine Dining Isn't Dead?

Restaurant development firm What If Syndicate set out to prove that fine dining is alive and well by debuting Monarch in The National, a new 51-story luxury mixed-use residential,

2022 Award Winners

Let’s take a moment and celebrate these fabulous, functional designs judged to be among the best of the best in rd+d’s annual contest.

Game On: Eatertainment is Back at 810 Billiards & Bowling

810 Billiards & Bowling's broad appeal is part of a successful formula, here's how they're capitalizing on eatertainment.

Game On: Eatertainment is Back at Flight Club

Flight Club’s guests come for the entire eating and playing experience – here's how the chain is cashing in on eatertainment.

Game On: Eatertainment is Back at Sports & Social

Here are how Sports & Social capitalized on the eatertainment trend. 

A World View: MAD Bars House, Lviv, Ukraine

Located in the historical center of Lviv, the 13,939-square-foot MAD Bars House spans six stories, offering five bars and restaurants under one

Bar Louie Unveils its First-Ever Redesign

Founded in Chicago in 1990 and now headquartered in Dallas, the new Bar Louie prototype is a lighter and brighter spin on the chain’s earlier iteration.

Luxe Speakeasy Hides in a San Diego Mall

SPIN Expands to Boston

Ping pong-focused social club SPIN opened a location in Boston’s bustling Seaport District.

Destination Dining, Reimagined

Perched on the top floors of the Amway Grand Plaza Hotel’s iconic glass tower, MDRD restaurant was conceived with one overriding goal: Create a truly transportive experience.

Supper Club but Make it Luxe

Justin Timberlake and Sam Fox open a destination like no other in Nashville.