Creating Buzz-Worthy Interiors with Restaurateur Ariel Arce

Arce's first opening, Tokyo Record Bar, draws inspiration from the old Birch blonde wood style of the Japanese Izakaya. "The bar was developed by trying to maximize the most out of the smallest amount of space, while maintaining good quality and sound," Arce shares. Primarily a vinyl bar, Tokyo Listening Room, which transformed from the restauranteur's previous bar, Air's Champagne Parlor, invites guests to a night of music and food, paired with a custom vinyl playlist created in real time. "Because the room is essentially a box, it needed to have some padding to amplify the sound, which is why we put flowers on the ceiling to muffle the hard corners in the room," she explains. 

The legendary Roman establishment, Roscioli, made its New York City debut in summer 2023, with the help of her Italian business partners. "Roscioli was a collaborative project to really bring an Alimentari to life—from the carefully curated cheese displays to the hanging salami, you should want to eat with your senses there," Arce says. When it came to the interior design, keeping the authentic spirit of the Italian institution was a priority. "We knew we could never replicate the feeling of the original Roscioli Salumeria, with all of the products absolutely everywhere and the deli counter being such a focal point in the room, but we wanted to pull reference from it while using the New York location's open floor plan and the light and wall space to amplify the products." To make this dream a reality, the team commissioned an Italian craftsman to re-create custom the iconic deli counter. The result is a distinctive interpretation of the alimentari concept, one that transports diners from the bustling streets of SoHo to the vibrant heart of Rome.

Arce's most recent ventures, Heroes and Pearl Box, share a historic SoHo townhouse but showcase distinct personalities. On the ground floor, Heroes, reimagines the traditional modern bistro with a fresh perspective. "When it came to the interiors of Heroes, we wanted the space to have a neutral warm tone in the wood to balance the coolness of the lavender furniture," Arce explains. "The goal is to always choose warm tones so everything feels cozy." As you make your way upstairs, the lavender and warm tones quickly change to retro and shiny, welcoming guests into Pearl Box, one of the most intimate and caviar-focused cocktail bars the city has ever seen. Glowing with a tribute to 1970s nightlife and complete with smoked glass bistro tables, the space screams mid-century-modern with a twist. "This bar is truly a nostalgia for the late 1970s clubhouse," says Arce. "A proper cocktail bar that feels like a Studio 54 special."

From champagne parlors to Italian restaurants, Arce's creative process has always been establishing how an idea or concept can evoke a time or a place. Drawing on her experience creating acclaimed New York City venues like Pearl Box and Tokyo Record Bar, she emphasizes thoughtful design alongside artistic vision. "The key is mixing high-end statement pieces with classic elements to bring your vision to life," she notes. Through her visionary approach to hospitality and attention to detail, Ariel Arce's carefully crafted spaces have become beloved destinations, each offering a distinct and memorable New York nightlife experience.