Inside Bar Mercado, Krog Street Market’s Brand-New Tapas Restaurant

Bar Mercado, the Castellucci Hospitality Group’s newest venture, is certified open at Krog Street Market. The restaurant is serving an array of tapas and Spanish wines, cocktails, and beers.

Local firm Square Feet Studio created the space, which previously housed The Cockentrice. The design features bright colors and patterns contrasting with the building’s exposed brick, steel, and concrete. Globe pendants made of capiz shell give a coastal touch to the dining room’s lighting, and materials for fixtures and furniture include colorful upholstery, rough wood, and brass. The dining room seats 100. A canopy-covered patio offers al fresco dining for 40.

Designers looked to one Spanish landmark in particular for their cues.

“We took inspiration from the Mercado de San Miguel, a food hall within an open ironwork structure dating from 1916 located in Madrid,” Square Feet Studio’s Vivian Bencich says. “Playfully curated fabrics and wall coverings in tones of red, pink, ochre, and blue create a harmonious cacophony, like the atmosphere in a bustling market.”

Bar Mercado will initially open for dinner only before adding weekend lunch and brunch on September 23 and September 24, respectively. Regular hours will be Monday through Thursday from 5 p.m. to 10 p.m., Friday from 5 p.m. to 11 p.m. Saturday from 11 a.m. to 11 p.m. and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Take a look inside via the photos below.