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New York City’s Creative Renaissance: Meet Two Tastemakers Behind Its Revival

Historically, coffeehouses, taverns, speakeasies, bookstores, and pubs have been vital centers for spreading new ideas and hosting intellectual exchange and debate. These establishments were melting pots where artists, writers, and activists gathered to challenge societal norms and spark revolutions. They provided fertile ground for creativity and, above all, camaraderie—where friendships were forged, alliances were born, and movements were ignited. However, as societal dynamics evolved, we’ve lost the lively discussions held in these traditional gathering places to digital interactions and commercially-focused, consumer-driven environments. Despite these changes, there remains a deep longing for community and a pervasive nostalgia surrounding these historic venues, which has led to efforts to reclaim them. Driven by my yearning for these spaces in New York City, I sought to speak with two social connectors driven by their shared passion to facilitate organic conversations in home-like settings, allowing people to let their guard down and let genuine connection in. Luke Haverty, founder of A Supper Series, and Alex Bass, founder of Salon 21, shared with me the thriving atmospheres they’ve cultivated that bring strangers together to experience novel creative endeavors.

...cultivating compassionate and welcoming individuals engaged in compelling pursuits.

Former Private Equity investor Luke Haverty is bridging the gap between artists—chefs, ceramicists, painters, designers, and photographers alike—by creating dinners centered around creativity in an inclusive environment. After relocating from the Midwest to New York City during COVID-19, he found the city he envisioned was missing something. Over the next year and a half, he attended various social gatherings in search of real connections but struggled to engage deeply with others. Bars were too loud, and parties felt superficial. The vibrant buzz of conversation he had hoped for was nowhere to be found. Overworked and uninspired, he began exploring the idea of bringing people together in a fresh and meaningful way. His “aha moment” was inspired when he learned about his family friend’s long-standing dinner club from the 1970s, which continues to be celebrated annually. This shared story propelled him to bring the first Supper Series to the big city. Today, over two years later, he hosts intimate gatherings where global culinary creations prepared by talented chefs are paired with thought-provoking conversation, all while indulging in unique experiences provided by local painters, sculptors, and musicians. Luke believes that stepping outside one's comfort zone and simply showing up to an experience fosters personal growth, emphasizing that a simple introduction could profoundly impact someone's life.

At the core of Luke's mission is cultivating compassionate and welcoming individuals engaged in compelling pursuits. He views A Supper Series as a hub for remarkable individuals affecting change, offering platforms for those forging paths outside conventional corporate norms and pursuing their passions. His goal is for others to leave inspired to unlock their potential, highlighting instances where attendees have left jobs to chase their dreams and equipped themselves with the tools to transform their aspirations into reality. This month marks a significant milestone for Haverty as he transitions from his full-time job to focus on growing A Supper Series and immersing others in the transformative power of storytelling. He sees these experiences as more than just dining occasions: “They fulfill a societal need for introspection and authentic connections, prompting participants to pause, reflect, and reassess their social circles.” Luke’s newest addition, A Journal Series, poses thought-provoking questions that ignite deep, meaningful reflection within ourselves and among others in unique settings like immersive saunas and ice baths. Both series embody his vision of celebrating the resilience of individuals pursuing their passions in a city overflowing with distractions and stimulation. Sharing a similar vision is Alex Bass who has crafted her own unique space in New York City with Salon 21, blending artistry and community in a contemporary setting. It’s more than an art gallery; it’s a cultural sanctuary nestled in the vibrant heart of Soho where people can find a venue and a nurturing environment to foster their creativity amidst dinners, figure drawing sessions, and collaborative art classes. During COVID, before opening a physical space, Alex envisioned a place where people could "spend their time and meet others while engaging in fun activities to decompress after work and escape the hustle and bustle of New York City." Her thoughtfully designed space fosters idea sharing, and since opening it, has featured rotating artwork exhibitions that spark conversation. This setup is reminiscent of the European salons, where people gathered in living rooms to discuss art and ideas. Armed with a BA in Art History from Columbia University, she envisioned Greene Street in Soho as the ideal canvas for her vision. Her multifunctional venue seamlessly integrates an art gallery with a social hub spanning 1,200 sq ft. Salon 21 is her brainchild—a space where she fosters artists' development while reintroducing European ideals to New York City's art scene.

...more than an art gallery; it’s a cultural sanctuary nestled in the vibrant heart of Soho

Drawing inspiration from historical salons spanning the 17th to the 20th centuries, Alex curates artworks in a salon-style display, evoking an intimate and immersive experience akin to those enjoyed by salon-goers of yesteryears. The loft features changing artwork and vintage decor, including a 1970s couch illuminated by LED lights, reviving an authentic, non-commercialized atmosphere within Soho's bustling commercial district.

Alex and Luke are driven by a shared vision: cultivating environments in New York City where people can expand their horizons and unleash their creative energies. Salon 21 and A Supper Series demonstrate a deep commitment to promoting personal development and honoring the determination of individuals who dare to seek more from urban life. Their efforts signify a pivotal chapter in the city's evolution, where tradition meets innovation to foster spaces as transformative as they are enriching. Both founders envision expanding their reach, creating more opportunities where creativity thrives and community flourishes. Their dedication to their craft and bringing people together will shape the city's trajectory for years to come.

 

Photos courtesy of Luke Haverty and Alex Bass.

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City Secrets: Beyond the Blinds

There are a lot of people living on top of one another here in NYC, breeding a sort of closeness that doesn’t exist in the suburbs. As I open my eyes, I judge the outdoor noises against my own. The sounds around me echo a common rhythm.

The iPhone alarm next door can be heard through the paper-thin walls, going off at the same time as mine—snoozed once, twice, then finally stopped. Upstairs, someone rushes out late for work, their door slamming shut and footsteps shuffling down the stairs. The smell of toast wafts from the neighboring apartment, a sign of a quick breakfast, just like mine.

In the solitude of our respective bedrooms, the illusion of being alone dissipates, replaced by the realization that our lives echo one another.

Getting dressed, I'm reminded that the gap between my window sill and blinds is a place where bystanders can peer in and evaluate their lives against my own. The voyeuristic nature of city life becomes apparent; I know because I do it too—glimpsing into others' homes when walking the streets, observing the work on their computer screens, the food they order, and the patterns on their pajamas. You’d be surprised how few people turn their lights off, inviting the world into their most intimate moments. We’ve normalized it—the visual intrusion, comparing, contrasting, bending, and breaking in with our eyes to see how others make these concrete cages feel like homes.

Through these visual cues, we inadvertently invite the world into our homes, breaking down the barriers that separate us. In the diverse array of personal touches that adorn our living spaces, a common thread emerges—shared humanity that unites us despite our apparent differences: mismatched throw pillows, small potted plants, and succulents, flat screens in the center of framed movie posters, art prints pinned up, record players and vinyl, worn-out leather armchairs, soft throw blankets, whiteboards with to-do lists, shelves of board games and puzzles, incense, cork boards on exposed brick covered in old Polaroids.

It's a reminder that, in the small details, we find a common ground that brings us closer, no matter how vast the city may seem.

The very things that make our homes uniquely ours are the same elements that connect us. Whether it's book stacks, the glow of neon signs, or candles scattered about, these common elements create a sense of connection. Our homes, a reflection of our shared experiences, show that, despite the city's size, our lives mostly look the same. It's a reminder that, in the small details, we find a common ground that brings us closer, no matter how vast the city may seem.

When I get home to end the day and close my blinds, I’m met with a stare on the other side of the street—another girl, in another bedroom, shutting hers too. We’re both three stories high, calling it a day, sharing the very same bedtime. We both think we’re safe from the outside world, but we’re wrong. Her television screen plays the same show I just binged, and her bedside table features takeout from the spot I get every night of the week. Maybe we’d be friends even.

Some nights, I peek out and catch her taking a cigarette break on the fire escape, sitting alone in the middle of her bed with her laptop’s glow as her only source of light, talking on the phone, pacing her floors, sitting at her desk toggling between getting work done on her laptop and scrolling on her phone, reluctantly doing an at-home exercise, reading a book for a few moments then putting it down, staring out the window, holding a mug probably filled with coffee. In the solitude of our respective bedrooms, the illusion of being alone dissipates, replaced by the realization that our lives echo one another.

It’s in the shared life of the stranger directly in front of me, in what feels like right behind my desk in my bedroom where I’ve come to realize that even when I’m alone, there's a feeling that I’m not. The illusion of solitude is broken when that gaze from my neighbor across the street meets mine. No one is immune. If we pay attention, we can see our routines mirror each other.

Though physically apart, these shared moments suggest that in a city of millions, we're more alike than we realize.