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Chinatown-Themed Boutique Hotel Includes 'Opium Den' Lounge

 Hotel 50 Bowery, a 229-room boutique hotel, is now open in Chinatown.
Hotel 50 Bowery, a 229-room boutique hotel, is now open in Chinatown.
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Hotel 50 Bowery

CHINATOWN — A hotel boasting Asian-inspired art, Asian cuisine, an opium den-themed lounge and a permanent gallery on the history of Chinatown is now open at 50 Bowery.

Hotel 50 Bowery, a 229-room boutique hotel from San Francisco chain Joie de Vivre, on Tuesday opened its doors on the corner of Canal Street, unveiling decor and entertainment taking its cues from the culture and history of the surrounding neighborhood.

“Through the mixing of gritty New York industrial materials and finishes, with subtle nods to Asian heritage, the hotel reflects the unique story that the neighborhood itself tells,” said Rebecca Weinstein, Senior Designer & Associate of decor company Wimberly Interiors.

The hotel's second floor is equipped with a permanent, 1,500-square-foot exhibition from the Museum of Chinese in America (MOCA) called "The Heart of Chinatown," showcasing artifacts recovered near the site from the 1700s through the early 1900s. 

The hotel's decor is decked out with nods to Chinese culture, according to project reps — the hallways are lined with art from Beijing graffiti artist Dake Wong, while the rooms are accented with "chinaware" colors of blue and white and feature photos of the neighborhood from MOCA's collection. 

The hotel's 220-seat restaurant Rice & Gold will serve up Asian cuisine such as Thai Fried Chicken and Pho Soup Dumplings, while one floor down, "opium den-themed parlor lounge" The Green Lady will host live music and entertainment — both venues will open in the summer, said reps.

Rooftop bar The Crown is already slinging drinks on the hotel's 21st floor.

The 21-story hotel was developed by Chu Enterprises, headed by Chinatown's Chu family. The family's patriarch, Joseph Chu, has long been one of the neighborhood's most prominent landlords, as reported by the New York Times.