Jaguar Moon
This agave spirits bar and restaurant was conceptualized in the height of the pandemic and was born out of the longing for the return of connectedness and vibrancy. Located in Southern California’s beach community of Ventura, the venue boasts a bold design aesthetic, using unrestrained color and exuding an atmosphere of playfulness and vitality. Ownership challenged the designers to create a place that embodied maximalism, the antithesis of life during the Pandemic. This multi-tenant project features a tequila and mezcal-forward cocktail program paired with Baja-Mediterranean Mexican cuisine crafted by a Michelin Bib Gourmand Chef.
The restaurant exudes a playful, vibrant atmosphere, with a name that evokes mystery and allure. Inspired by the lore of ancient spirits, the bar’s mascot is said to traverse between worlds, with the day representing the living and the night symbolizing the spirit world and ancestors. This concept was the principal inspiration for the project’s color theory reflected throughout the design. Drawing upon the analog photography techniques of inversion, hues have been flipped to their opposites on the color wheel creating an environment that is both invigorating and somewhat psychedelic. A neon palette with ambient lighting creates a play on your senses through color and texture, enticing patrons to escape from the chaos of the outside world and immerse themselves in the bright hues and swanky decor. The interior blends maximalism and anti-pandemic vigor, combining bold, unexpected color combinations, tropical elements, unique textures, and themes involving indigenous animals from Mexico.
Custom banquettes and barstools made of purple hued plywood and sparkle-laden vinyl upholstery welcome revelers keen on bellying up for a good night of eating and drinking. The design team customized tropical wallcovering, swapping out brown monkeys for iridescent gold jaguars to enhance a main feature wall of the establishment. They also worked closely with the operator to develop a large-scale custom mural that catches eyes from the street and welcomes patrons into the space. Other walls are adorned with colorful rotating artwork by local artists placed on the existing board formed concrete which adds a grounding element to the space and highlights the building's original character. The main bar is adorned with shimmering iridescent mosaic tile, bold quartz counters, and custom made high gloss metal palm trees which disguise existing structural elements. This design represents resilience, showing that even in the face of adversity, joy and connection thrive.
Photographer: Erin Feinblatt Photography, Contractor: Nuline Partners, Architect: Kevin Moore Architect, Client: Good Lion Hospitality
