Review: ArtBar, a Cambridge Restaurant with More Bar Than Art
Inside The Royal Sonesta Boston lies ArtBar, an American restaurant that curates a subtle selection from the hotel’s collection. It’s an ideal spot for anyone looking to enjoy seasonal cocktails in an elevated space with a touch of culture. However, if you’re hoping for an immersive experience surrounded by numerous art pieces, ArtBar might fall short. Despite its name, the venue displays only a handful of artworks—around five—offering more of an understated ambiance than an art-forward experience.
With a name like "ArtBar,” I was expecting a space filled with carefully curated art, perhaps walls adorned with paintings and a cocktail or two whimsically named after famous artists. Unfortunately, that expectation wasn’t met. Instead, I found an elegant, high-end restaurant with minimal integration of art, and hardly any innovative connection to the visual arts in the design or menu (I’ve seen more art at a Ruth’s Chris).
ArtBar is undeniably refined and a fitting choice for guests of the Royal Sonesta looking for a convenient yet upscale dining option. And while I can appreciate the idea, I couldn’t help but wish for something more creatively engaging. A salon-style arrangement or even a few additional pieces from the hotel’s acclaimed collection could have added a richer, more visually satisfying atmosphere.
The artworks present weren’t accompanied by any identifiers or descriptions—they were simply “there.” Among them was a sizable yellow abstract painting with a tiled border, two abstract geometric compositions, and a standout piece by Warhol, The Souper Dress from the 1960s, encased in a sleek shadow box frame. The Warhol was instantly recognizable and, honestly, overshadowed the other works because of its iconic Campbell’s soup pattern. I tried to learn more about the pieces by calling the restaurant and hotel, but after being forwarded several times without success, I was left with little information, relying solely on physical descriptions to identify the other pieces.
On social media, ArtBar advertises a range of events, from live jazz performances and quirky contests like an ugly sweater competition for pets to experiences such as “Dine & Paint” and seasonal gingerbread or cookie-making kits. These offerings suggest a lively, art-inspired environment, yet when I visited with my friends, the restaurant felt quite generic, lacking the distinct personality implied by its marketing.
Some may say that less is more when it comes to curation, but in this case, ArtBar needs more art. Another way the restaurant could solve the disconnect is by providing detailed wall text with artist names, dates, and descriptions in order to lean into the gallery experience. Alternatively, if art isn’t going to be a central feature, the restaurant might reconsider its marketing approach to avoid setting art-focused expectations that it doesn’t quite meet. In its current state, ArtBar is a lovely dining venue, but it doesn’t quite live up to the artistic allure.
