Located on Bowery, a street that dates back to the 17th century, Vandal is the restaurant lounge by the TAO Group and Chef Chris Santos. Vandal celebrates the art, architecture, and food of global street culture from New York to Vietnam to Barcelona and beyond, as well as the history and culture of the restaurant’s Lower East Side location. The two-level space includes a bar/lounge, restaurant, garden dining area, private dining room, and cellar bar/lounge.
Rockwell Group’s design concept highlights the interplay of gritty and lush moments found in urban street life. The 12,000 SF interior has been conceived as a mazelike space filled with old, undiscovered private rooms and catacombs. The building’s entry, tunnel, lounge, dining areas, and art installations are intricately choreographed to create a sense of discovery in each room.
Hush, the renowned British street artist who created a series of murals in the Rockwell Group-designed TAO Downtown, worked closely with us to curate Vandal’s art program. In a nod to the Bowery’s history, seven internationally-recognized “vandals” have been commissioned to create site-specific installations inside and outside the restaurant. Using different mediums and techniques, the artists explore the possibilities of street art to create works that engage with Vandal’s built environment.