Central Park Tavern NYC Furniture Case Study: Modern Sports Bar Design

Exterior street view of Central Park Tavern NYC on West 57th Street, showing the green facade, awning, and entrance to the Midtown sports bar.
Central Park Tavern’s signature green facade and vintage signage set the tone for its warm Midtown interior — a modern New York sports bar inspired by the city’s classic tavern era.

A Warm, Brass-Toned Tavern Design Rooted in Midtown New York Character

Located at 327 W 57th St, New York, NY 10019, Central Park Tavern is a new concept inspired by "the golden age of New York’s tavern supper clubs, storied sports halls, and smoky backroom lounges. It’s the kind of place built for dim lights, soft seats, good eats, and better drinks—where guests come for the game, stay for the night, and stick around for the story."

To bring that vision to life, the design called for a furniture program that pairs comfort with atmosphere: solid walnut plank table tops, brass-accented bar stools, and deep-upholstered seating that nods to old New York while meeting the demands of a modern Midtown crowd. The result is a warm, timeless space that photographs beautifully and performs seamlessly from the first round to last call.

Venue at a Glance

  • Total Footprint: Approximately 53' × 90' on the main floor, plus a full basement for storage, offices, and support areas.
  • Dining Capacity: 22 tables with seating for up to 148 guests, spread across bar-height tables, standard dining, and flexible two-tops and four-tops.
  • Main Bar: Nearly 32 feet of bar rail, designed to maximize bar stool seating and create a lively focal point at the entrance.
  • Seating Zones:
    • Front entrance bar lounge with high-energy seating and quick-turn tables.
    • Main dining area with rows of two-tops and four-tops for both couples and groups.
    • Private/semi-private dining section at the rear for larger groups and events.
  • Support Space: Kitchen positioned along the west wall for efficient service, with storage, walk-in boxes, and beer coolers located in the basement.

The design balances bar capacity and dining flexibility, ensuring Central Park Tavern can serve everything from after-work drinks to full-dinner crowds. Seating choices—warm walnut tables, upholstered bar stools, and durable black bases— were selected to work seamlessly with the flow of the space.

Source: venue’s event pages. Specs reflect event capacities (standing/cocktail style) and may differ from seated dining counts. Final seating layouts are set per event and local approvals.

Bar at Central Park Tavern in Midtown NYC featuring walnut counter, red-upholstered bar stools with brass footrests, and classic checkered flooring. Spacious dining room and bar area at Central Park Tavern NYC with high-top tables, red upholstered seating, and warm tavern lighting for a sports bar vibe. Restaurant booth seating at Central Park Tavern New York with tufted red upholstery, walnut tables, and decorative shelving for a classic tavern look. Full interior view of Central Park Tavern in Midtown Manhattan featuring walnut tables, brass bar stools, and black-and-white tile flooring for a modern tavern style.

The Challenge: Classic Tavern Warmth, NYC-Ready Durability

Central Park Tavern needed a furniture package that could communicate a classic tavern identity—rich woods, brass details, and comfortable upholstery—while meeting the practical demands of a high‑traffic Midtown venue. The solution had to balance aesthetics with durability, quick resets, and long‑service comfort at the bar.

  • Brand cohesion: A palette that reads “New York tavern” at a glance—warm walnut, deep rouge upholstery, and brass accents that pick up ambient light.
  • Service durability: Bases and tops that stand up to nightly turnover, tight urban table spacing, and frequent reconfigurations.
  • Bar comfort: Supportive stools with sturdy brass footrests and wipe‑clean performance vinyl for long sessions.
Full view of Central Park Tavern in Midtown NYC showcasing walnut bar rail, brass-accented bar stools, and high-top dining tables under a gold coffered ceiling.

The Solution: Walnut, Brass & Upholstery—A Timeless Mix

Superior Seating curated a coordinated package featuring custom solid oak plank table tops in Walnut, black powder‑coated metal bases in both standard and bar heights, and brass‑accented bar stools upholstered in performance vinyl. Dining chairs in a sleek black finish round out the look, delivering a warm, classic tavern atmosphere that’s comfortable, durable, and ready for the nightly rush.

Custom solid oak plank dining table top in walnut finish used at Central Park Tavern NYC, designed for tavern and restaurant dining layouts.
Custom Solid Oak Plank Dining Table Top
Walnut finish swatch for custom oak plank table top Material & Finish: Solid Oak — Walnut
Walnut plank tops bring warmth and grain character; rounded corners support guest flow in tight NYC layouts.
Contemporary metal square table base with black powder coat finish featured at Central Park Tavern NYC, ideal for restaurant dining tables.
Contemporary Metal Square Table Base (18" × 18")
Black powder coat finish swatch for square base Material & Finish: Metal — Black Powder Coat
Standard and bar-height bases keep the plan flexible for dining and high-top zones with fast nightly resets.
Commercial metal rectangular table base in black powder coat finish, bar height version used at Central Park Tavern NYC.
Commercial Metal Rectangular Table Base (16" × 28", Bar Height)
Black powder coat finish swatch for rectangular base Material & Finish: Metal — Black Powder Coat
Sized to support 24" × 42" tops at the bar height zone; stable, durable, and venue-friendly for quick flips.
Solid walnut backless bar stool with red upholstery, brass footrest, and nailhead trim featured at Central Park Tavern in Midtown NYC.
Solid Walnut Backless Bar Stool w/ Nailhead Trim (497)
Symphony Classic Rouge performance vinyl swatch Upholstery: Symphony Classic Rouge • Accents: Brass Nailhead + Brass Footrest
A space-saving classic: supportive seating, easy slide-away profile, and rich brass detailing for that tavern glow.
Fully upholstered square back restaurant bar stool with red vinyl, brass nailhead trim, and walnut wood frame used at Central Park Tavern NYC.
Fully Upholstered Square Back Bar Stool w/ Nailhead (498)
Symphony Classic Rouge performance vinyl swatch Upholstery: Symphony Classic Rouge • Accents: Brass Nailhead + Brass Footrest
Luxe comfort for longer stays at the rail—refined lines, wipe-clean surfaces, and durable framing.
Ruby modern black finish wood restaurant chair with upholstered seat, part of Central Park Tavern NYC’s dining room furniture package.
Ruby Modern Black Finish Wood Chair (305)
Symphony Vintage Pretzel upholstery swatch Finish: Black • Upholstery: Symphony Vintage Pretzel
A sleek, supportive dining chair that complements walnut tops and brass accents while keeping a modern profile.

Custom Materials, Finishes & Sizing

We tuned materials to achieve the right blend of warmth, durability, and classic tavern character:

  • Bar Stool Vinyl: 497/498 stools upholstered in Symphony Classic Rouge — a durable, wipe-clean performance vinyl that pairs with walnut & brass.
  • Dining Chair Upholstery: Symphony Vintage Pretzel on the Ruby chair adds texture against the black frame and walnut tops.
  • Table Top Finish: Custom Walnut on solid oak plank tops for warmth and photo-friendly grain.
  • Edges & Size: Rounded corners and a mix of 24″ × 24″ and 24″ × 42″ specs support tight NYC clearances and quick resets.

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Customer Experience: Classic Comfort Meets Midtown Energy

“[Central Park Tavern is a] Great spot by Central Park. Perfect balance between lively sports bar and somewhere you can enjoy a proper drink with a bit of class. Food is excellent, cocktails are well made, and the atmosphere hits just right. Ideal for watching a game or simply relaxing with friends. Highly recommend.” – Read more reviews

Crispy mozzarella sticks served with marinara and ranch dipping sauces at Central Park Tavern NYC, set on dark walnut restaurant tables. Classic fish and chips with craft cocktail and sports decor at Central Park Tavern in Midtown NYC, highlighting casual tavern dining atmosphere. Signature Old Fashioned cocktail served at Central Park Tavern NYC, styled with baseball memorabilia to reflect the tavern’s vintage sports theme. Central Park Tavern NYC signature mint-garnished cocktail photographed beside vintage sports books and red leather restaurant booth seating.

Furniture Inspiration & Moodboard

Mood board—walnut plank tops, brass nailhead details, rouge vinyl, and black metal bases for a classic tavern palette

Ready to Furnish Your Dream Restaurant?

Explore Superior Seating’s solid wood tops, brass‑accented bar seating, and durable table bases—or chat with our specialists today.

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About PMAC Hospitality

Central Park Tavern is part of the broader PMAC’s Hospitality Group, the team behind a number of Midtown favorites including Vida Verde. Superior Seating has partnered with PMAC across concepts—tailoring each furniture package to the venue’s unique brand and service model.

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