Antoine Chemel Opened Bar Antoine Lounge in San Francisco

The 22-year-old entrepreneur launched the 80-seat cocktail bar on the mezzanine level of Le Parc Bistrobar.

Updated on Sept. 30, 2026 in French Food

Bold vector editorial illustration showing a single cocktail coupe on a counter, evoking the cozy ambiance of a cocktail lounge. — Antoine Chemel has officially opened Bar Antoine Lounge, an 80-seat cocktail venue situated on the mezzanine level of San Francisco's Le Parc Bistrobar. AI Illustration. Upload story photo >

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In September 2026, 22-year-old Antoine Chemel officially opened Bar Antoine Lounge at the Galleria Park Hotel in San Francisco. Located on the mezzanine level of Le Parc Bistrobar, the new space provides a dedicated venue for post-dinner drinks.

Why it matters

The lounge was created after regular customers expressed a desire for a dedicated space for late-night cocktails. The owners opted to pivot a planned dining room renovation to better accommodate this demand for a relaxed social environment.

Bar Antoine Lounge features an 80-seat capacity within the mezzanine level of Le Parc. Menu items include escargot croquettes at $12, truffle gougeres at $20, beef brochettes at $38, Dim Saumon for $22, and hazelnut ice cream macarons for $9.

The players

Antoine Chemel

He is the 22-year-old founder of the newly opened Bar Antoine Lounge in San Francisco.

Bruno Chemel

He is an experienced restaurateur who assisted his son with the development and management of the new lounge.

Christie Chemel

She is a co-owner of Le Parc and assisted in the establishment of the new hospitality venue.

The details

Bruno and Christie Chemel, who opened Le Parc in summer 2024, supported the project by assisting with menu development and initial management. The family previously operated the Palo Alto restaurant Baumé, which served a 15-course tasting menu starting at $398 before transitioning to a smaller model and losing its Michelin stars in 2021.

2015: Baumé transitioned to a mom-and-pop operation.
2021: Baumé lost its Michelin stars.
Summer 2024: Le Parc opened at the Galleria Park Hotel.
September 2026: Bar Antoine Lounge opened.

Culture Shift

The opening of Bar Antoine follows a shift in the family business model after the closure of the Palo Alto restaurant Baumé. This venture marks a strategic evolution for the family, moving from high-end tasting menus toward a more casual, lounge-focused hospitality model in the San Francisco market.

Residents and visitors near Union Square can now access the lounge for post-dinner drinks on the mezzanine level of the hotel. The bar offers a specific menu of small plates and items like beef brochettes and truffle gougeres that are distinct from the primary bistro menu.

The takeaway

The successful launch of the bar demonstrates how restaurateurs are adapting to consumer demand for flexible dining spaces that transition between meals and late-night drinks. Implementing these types of lounge areas can help restaurants maximize the utility of their existing floor plans.