Jac’s on Bond is a familiar name for a familiar space. Not only because many New Yorkers have been to 26 Bond Street before—until recently, it was the site of popular NoHo café The Smile—but because its purpose is to be a place without pretense. The walls are a warm vanilla; the bar, a basic black. The tables have blush tops and are flanked with classic Thonet bistro chairs. In the back is a camel-felt pool table, along with a cozy booth in a complementary hue that’s bathed in a gentle glow of amber light.
Now, it’s remiss to imply Jac’s is a run-of-the-mill room given Authentic Hospitality—the group behind it—also runs celeb-studded hotspots Ray’s and Pebble Bar. (Mark Ronson and Pete Davidson are investors in the latter.) Its interiors come courtesy of Gachot Studios, the same AD100 design firm that did Detroit’s Shinola Hotel. Meanwhile, the small-bites menu is the brainchild of Jeremiah Stone and Fabián von Hauske Valtierra, the Michelin-starred chefs behind Wildair and Contra. And the art? That’s by renowned hip-hop photographer, Janette Beckman.
Yet, in a neighborhood known for its glamorous lounges, exclusive private clubs, and Resy-alert restaurants, there aren’t too many stylish spots where you can just stroll in spur of the moment. So restaurateurs Carlos Quirarte, Matt Charles, and Matt Kliegman decided to make one. “We wanted it to be a watering hole—a place where you can go get a drink that’s not too fancy, but you know, fancy enough,” Quirarte tells Vogue. “It’s something we felt the area needed.”
A reserved corner at Jac’s.
William Jess LairdSeveral of the guests also commented on how they were glad New York Fashion Week was over—and indeed, it was the last day of a week that saw many of the city’s designers emphasize, above all else, clothes with enduring wearability. Standing in the room, it was hard to not feel like the two were connected in their intentional modesty, a noteworthy choice in an age where social media peacocking often feels prioritized. Come on a Saturday night, or a Sunday afternoon, or, hell, whatever day you want: Jac’s will be there to meet your mood.