Nob Hill’s Daydream Rum Bar award-winning design Named Best in North America

Owner Isaac Fox recently secured a major victory for the New Mexico spirits scene. The international ranking organization 50 Best named the Daydream Rum Bar award-winning design the best on the continent this week, according to the Albuquerque Journal.

Guests access the stylish cocktail lounge via a hidden staircase inside Little Bear Coffee. Fox told the Albuquerque Journal that he envisioned the space as a “velvet-and-wood mid-century tropical den.” Expressing his gratitude for the honor, he noted that the global recognition “means the world” to his team.

Aesthetic Inspiration for the Daydream Rum Bar award-winning design

The heavily stylized films of director Wes Anderson served as the primary blueprint for the project. Fox explained to the Albuquerque Journal that these movies offer a form of escapism, which mirrors the tropical refuge that rum bars traditionally provide from the mundane daily grind.

To achieve this cinematic feel, the design team utilized a specific palette consisting of sage green and golden brown. Fox characterizes the Daydream Rum Bar award-winning design as a beautiful “amalgamation” of elements that offer a sense of retreat without feeling out of place in their desert home (Albuquerque Journal).

From Concept to Construction: The Daydream Rum Bar award-winning design

Isaac Fox, who co-owns Little Bear Coffee, managed the entire creative process through his firm, Fox MFG. He highlighted to the Albuquerque Journal that this project marked his first opportunity to lead every stage, from brand identity to interior construction. By overseeing the details personally, he successfully wove a “golden thread” throughout the Daydream Rum Bar award-winning design.

A Legacy of Excellence for the Daydream Rum Bar award-winning design

Since its July 2025 opening, the lounge has consistently garnered national accolades. In addition to this recent design triumph, the venue earned a spot as a James Beard Award semifinalist for best new bar earlier this year (Albuquerque Journal).

The Daydream Rum Bar award-winning design currently welcomes visitors on Central NE from Tuesday through Saturday. Although the bar specializes in premium rum, it maintains a full selection of spirits to satisfy all cocktail enthusiasts within its world-class atmosphere.