Hotel Daphne, Bunkhouse Hotels’ newest boutique in Houston Heights, has introduced Bar Daphne, a 50-seat cocktail bar designed as both a neighbourhood gathering place and a destination in its own right.
With a dedicated exterior entrance at the corner of Ashland and 20th Street, the space is inspired by the secret drinking clubs that thrived during the Heights’ dry days. Designed in-house by Bunkhouse Hotels, the interiors blend Victorian and Art Deco influences, resulting in a space filled with unexpected discoveries while still reflecting a strong sense of place.
In our interview, Paige Henney, Director of Design at Bunkhouse & JdV by Hyatt, shares the thinking behind the interiors, from the influences shaping the space to the details that bring the concept to life.
What did you set out to achieve with the interiors of this space?
We wanted Bar Daphne to feel both like a neighbourhood staple and a destination in its own right, even though it’s connected to Hotel Daphne. The bar operates as its own distinct experience for locals and visitors alike to wander in and stay awhile. The vision was to create a jewel box that beckoned folks in, drawing them into the rich colours, playful patterns and bold art collection curated by the owners, creating a space that feels both vibrant and intimate.
What was the inspiration behind the design concept?
Bar Daphne is inspired by the secret drinking clubs that thrived during Houston Heights’ dry days, bringing a sense of history, creativity, and intrigue to a contemporary setting rooted in community and culture. We wanted it to carry an easy familiarity of a local favourite, paired with the energy and intention of a thoughtfully conceived cocktail bar.
What materials did you use to bring the vision to life?
We blended various influences like Arts & Crafts, Victorian and Art Deco through a palette of dark green walls, walnut millwork, bespoke marble and artisanal tile. The bar is wrapped in a metallic Opuzen sheer that reflects the artwork that anchors the space, including John Alexander’s Life on a Merry-Go-Round. Vintage and custom elements add depth and character. These include a Murano chandelier and antique bronze medallion sourced at Round Top, a 20-foot upholstered banquette and red lava stone-topped tables with Gubi lamps, and a landscaped patio outfitted with eclectic European furniture.
What aspects of the design are you most proud of?
It’s hard to choose just one aspect of the design because we intentionally layered in multiple moments of surprise and delight that connect back to the hotel’s identity. One of our favourite details is the banquette piping in Brentano’s Titania in Magma, which introduces a playful patterned contrast and adds depth to the seating moments. The arrival experience from the hotel is also especially impactful, highlighted by the magnificent Studio Marchant Sun Pull in XXL, serving as a signal that something special lies just beyond the door. We also love the Calico wallcovering in the restrooms, which creates a thoughtful connection to the wallcovering featured in one of the hotel suites, subtly tying the spaces together.
How does the design reflect the F&B concept?
We wanted the beverage programme to feel like an extension of Hotel Daphne’s robust art programme, which features over 160 original works primarily from Texas-based artists. We drew from both classic and contemporary art to shape the cocktails through colour, texture and composition. Each drink was designed to reference art history while reflecting its muse through layered flavour, seasonality and detail. Cocktails such as Life on a Merry-Go-Round, made with aperitivo, lychee, tart cherry, lime and boba; Somewhere to Light, featuring tequila, sotol, lemongrass honey and yuzu; and Through the Woods, combining gin, pear brandy, blanc vermouth and tarragon black pepper oil, were created as polished, approachable expressions named after works from Hotel Daphne’s collection.
