When Bar None, the new concept from Id Est Hospitality inside nonesuch, opens in a couple weeks, Kiki Mackey will be the general manager, and it will be a much deserved role for an industry vet known for her poise, competence, and knowledge. We first met when she was a newbie at Mary Eddy’s at what was then 21C during Chef Jason Campbell’s tenure, and since then she’s grown in to one of the most reliable FOH professionals in the city.

Kiki Mackey. Photo by Rachel Minick.

Nonesuch continues to experiment with approaches that best utilize their “den” space, and while I was an unapologetic fan of the The Den, I’m equally excited to see what the team will do with Bar None. In the episode, Mackey talks about the plans and focus of Bar None, the wine program, cocktails, food, service, etc. It’s fair to say it will be a unique experience in the metro, and the composition of the spot will give Mackey ample opportunities to showcase her experience and knowledge.

In one of the more surprising twists in nonesuch’s storied history, Mackey contributed to aesthetic components to what has become nonesuch’s newest brand identity: the glass animals and the floral arrangements, both of which we discuss. She’s an artist first (maybe), and that certainly helps her approach to hospitality inasmuch as she thinks of it and approaches it more comprehensively than a straightforward business and food model of management. Whatever she ends up doing, it will be awesome.