Since it first opened in 2015, the Ode to Babel bar has been a cherished fixture in the heart of Brooklyn, as well as a testament to the power of Black-owned businesses within New York City. For the Babel community, the bar served as a place to freely and safely dwell amongst friends (or strangers turned friends) with a spirit of ease and familiarity.
Now, that legacy is expanding with the opening of Babel Loft: a members-only co-work and lounge space set to redefine communal spaces in the borough. Just a few steps away from the bar s original location, the new loft features a ground-floor cafe open to the public and a bespoke open-concept member’s space four floors up. And just like the original bar, the atmosphere is one of comfort: a place for guests to feel at home.
Founded and operated by sisters Marva and Myriam Babel, Babel Loft is Ode to Babel’s original community, all grown up. The two are already familiar with how to create a space that attracts an endless stream of guests, and their new project is set to be just as popular. On the fourth floor, the doors have already opened to the “A side” of the space, which offers generously proportioned communal areas that can seamlessly transition from day to night, whether hosting a workshop, a social mixer, or an after-party. In 2024, Babel Loft’s “B side”—located just across the hall—will bring a different flavor to the experience, providing a haven for members seeking an immersive blend of culture and community.
The ambiance of Babel Loft is a carefully curated vision brought to life by Marva Babel and Kenneth Nix, the creative minds behind the design who have seamlessly woven together elements that speak to the past, present, and future. The furniture at Babel Loft features an array of thoughtfully sourced vintage and estate finds, reimagining the Art Deco revival of the 1980s with a contemporary feel.
Upon arrival, the mood immediately feels like being at home. For interiors lovers, you’ll spot a peach-toned winding couch that recalls the one from Solange Knowles’s apartment as seen on the cover of Apartamento magazine. (A copy of the issue happened to be lying out on a coffee table beside the Babel vintage version.) Featuring an eclectic fusion of contemporary and vintage aesthetics, the space not only reflects the Babel sisters’ vision of hospitality but also pays homage to the richness of Black history—with all the art, books, and artifacts to prove it.
Meanwhile, the curation of the artworks hanging across the space was overseen by Joeonna Bellorado-Samuels of the gallery We Buy Gold and Erika Svec and Lorri Sendel of W.S. Archives, and Black excellence was clearly part of the assignment. (Some of the art hanging on the walls includes prints by Tyler Mitchell and Barkley L. Hendricks.) And as far as community goes, there are already plans to center one of the two bars on Side A to exclusively offer BIPOC and queer-made spirits, including a Babel Loft spirit. It’s not just about the space, it’s about the experience—and moving the future of Black businesses and the conversation that surrounds them forward.
The opportunity to be a part of Babel’s new-found future remains open: members are now being invited to apply. (Although be warned, the waiting list is already rapidly growing.) In a city where the cultural and hospitality landscape is ever-changing, and there’s always a new place to see and be seen, Babel Loft is taking a different approach: it wants to bring its community along with it.
