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Location: San Diego

Architect : Caitlin Santone

Interior Designer: Bells + Whistles: Barbara Rourke & Jason St John

Construction: Ron Rice

Photography: Kimberly Motos

Starlite, one of San Diego’s most iconic bar-restaurants, entrusted the interior design studio Bells + Whistles (B+W) with the task of reimagining its celebrated environment. Recognized for its loyal following and distinctive character, the establishment sought a renovation that would preserve its legacy while embracing a new chapter. Originally conceived and hand-crafted by B+W in 2007 as a design/build project, the space combined the glamour of the Rat Pack era with influences drawn from John Lautner’s organic architecture, the geological drama of Carlsbad Caverns, the cinematic worlds of Star Wars, 1970s Italian Futurism, and Hitchcock’s North by Northwest.

Sixteen years later, Bells + Whistles returned to their foundational work with the intention of heightening the original concept without compromising the bar’s identity. The firm approached the renovation with respect for Starlite’s heritage, preserving the essential elements that defined its character while introducing a more theatrical and refined spatial experience.

The updated design juxtaposes raw, monolithic rock walls with a softer palette of rich textiles and bespoke furnishings, creating a deliberate tension between ruggedness and luxury. At the heart of the space, a sculptural hexagonal bar in travertine and wood sits beneath a constellation-inspired chandelier, acknowledging both the establishment’s name and its cinematic roots. Warm copper and walnut tones, velvet accents, and a mirrored ceiling reinforce a cave-like atmosphere while enhancing visual depth.

Each material and lighting decision was conceived to honor the bar’s original spirit while presenting it anew with elevated sophistication. In revisiting their earlier vision, Bells + Whistles offers a mature and bold reinterpretation that feels both familiar and transformative, reaffirming Starlite’s cultural significance and its influence on immersive restaurant design in the region.