Old Wood, New Bar Unveiled at The Passenger

Julia Hurst and Jade Aldrighette behind the new bar

If you are like many Americans, you may have spent part of New Year's Eve head askew, eyes squinting and wondering: "Ryan Seacrest sure is starting to look old -- let's turn off the high-def TV." While we may not be able to do anything for the aging distinguished TV host, top 50 cocktail bar The Passenger took matters into its own hands when its black-laquered bar started showing its wear and tear.

The demolition of the bar top ceremoniously started early in the morning on New Year's Day, when co-owner Tom Brown channeled Thor's fury and took the first hammer swing into the bar -- in place since The Passenger's opening over two years ago. It was then closed for the next few days while the bar fixture, as well as other parts of the establishment, went through renovations.

"We'd been thinking about this for a while -- to replace the bar top -- but when I saw that there was some old growth pine salvaged from the building's roof beams, I was sold," said Brown. "I love using re-purposed surfaces and old material. The wood we used is from the 1800's. It's gorgeous. You can't go out and just buy something like that."

The exposed natural wood-grain on the new top lends a classic aesthetic that was missing from the old black top, which suggested function rather than form. In hoping to avoid being too stodgy, the new bar still sports the tiki-paneling on the front face. Behind the bar, though, much has stayed the same, with only a few added shelves for storage.

While the new bar will become a stoic and unique member of The Passenger family, some of the same wood can be found a little further uptown at Room 11, where Passenger co-owner Paul Ruppert also has a stake. Look for it adorning parts of the bar.

(Disclosure: The author is an employee of Room 11.)