System
Location
North America

LenLen 40 E 20th St, New York, NY 10003 Website

LenLen is conceived as a “living shophouse” in Flatiron, drawing from Wanisa Torboonsitikorn’s Thai-Chinese upbringing and the atmosphere of Bangkok’s 1970s domestic spaces. The venue moves away from a traditional restaurant format, instead building around a social rhythm of eating, drinking and conversation, where guests move fluidly between dining and bar seating throughout the evening.

The space reflects this through a layered, lived-in environment, combining tiled surfaces, vintage elements and domestic references with a more contemporary bar presence. The experience is anchored in a Thai food program led by Chef Peter Ki Suk Tondreau, blending fine-dining technique with comfort-driven, shareable dishes, alongside a cocktail program that draws from Southeast Asian ingredients and references, designed to sit naturally within the pace of the room.

Operating primarily in the evening, the venue balances a strong bar identity with a food offering that supports both shorter visits and longer stays, creating a setting that feels equally suited for casual drop-ins and extended service.

A single frontline bar carrying the full operation, from service to storage.

Bar System & Layout

The bar was developed as a custom two-station configuration based on the Paloma system, designed to accommodate all core functions within a single frontline. Due to spatial constraints, all operational elements had to be integrated into the bar itself, with minimal back-of-house support.

The layout centres around two bartender stations with a centrally positioned POS, undercounter refrigeration and freezers per station to support glassware, ice and ingredient storage, and a wash station positioned at the end of the bar. The system was adapted to allow for third-party cooling while maintaining a clean and efficient workflow across the full length of the counter, with a lowered POS ensuring a continuous working surface and clear guest interaction.

The station is integrated as a drop-in, maintaining a clean, uninterrupted counter line that aligns with the overall interior language of the space. The project was developed in close collaboration with Chris Li, who led the spatial design and layout of the venue.

Let's talk

Ready to build your bar?

With 450+ projects across 48+ countries, we are fortunate to collaborate with some of the most exciting F&B projects around the world. Are you next?
Alex
Sam
Todd

Related projects

Explore other venues where this product system or approach has been implemented.