“Sometimes bigger is not better”
Our customer came to us with an interesting circumstance. Sometimes bigger isn’t better. Turns out in his seasonal town he actually needed a smaller venue. His enormous dance club fills to the brim during season but, off-season he needs to reduce the size and give it a more intimate ambience. This is the third venue we have worked on for our client (see testimonial).
The idea is to give the low season guests and entirely different feeling. As though they are sitting in a working brewpub. Although, during season maintain the ability via sliding false walls, to open the entire club up again to its original size.
As we talked over the idea of making the huge dance club into a brew pub themed bar the vision came to life. His comments about giving the customers a feeling as though they had entered into the workings of a giant machine led to our creation of the decor. Putting pen to paper we brought the vision to life by incorporating oversized gears as part of the theme. The design and thoughtful creation of the gears was crucial to the feel of the space. Some of the gears function as part of the performers handrail. While others are crafted with a hidden motors so that they actually rotate.
For another level of authenticity, we created hand hammered copper fermentation tanks. They are mounted high on the walls and connected with a faux copper piping. Each fermentation tank is fitted for a smoke machine so that when the bar is in full swing the DJ can send a blast of smoke from each tank. It is a small pub feel but has to maintain excitement and create “stickiness” to keep the guests there and consuming.
Of course the most important thing about a bar is to sell product. In this case beer. By using actual vintage beer kegs we are able to promote the product in a way that fits perfectly with the concept. By creating racks of these old beer kegs (each branded with the new logo) we surround the guest with the theme of the concept.
Part of the entertainment in the brewpub are performers that are able to enter the space from a hidden door on a raised platform. In designing the raised walkway we decided to incorporate an additional set of stairs. Here the performer can come down and greet the guests. At the base of the stairway we used the same vintage beer kegs to create a small stage down at the level of the guest.
Since the space is reduced we have to be very conservative with bar space. By working closely with the bar manager we have managed a bar design that will allow 2 to 3 bartenders to work and have all of the necessary equipment in a smaller than standard space.
For seating we custom designed 30 bar chairs. Every bar chair now brings the theme right to each guest’s home base.
Again showing the product to the guest is very important. “Love starts with a glance”. The back bar Is custom designed to accommodate some of the now exposed structure of the building. Using these square steel elements we were able to create a bottle and glass rack that accentuates the deconstructed feel which is a perfect backdrop to the vintage flare of the brew pub. Y he bottle rack is illuminated with LED strips to highlight the premium alcohol.
The lighting in the space is crucial. We are producing hand hammered copper patinaed pendant lights for over the main bar. There still is a small dance floor so above that space we have created a huge wooden gear has the suspension frame for a group of nine blown glass cylinders. This enormous chandelier will have a very vintage look with specialized LED bulbs.
On the reverse side of the bar we are using A Series of blown glass pendants that reflect the same vintage feel has the huge chandelier. This area has a lower ceiling and using the glass instead of a solid metal shade will give the area a little more light.
Of course video in a bar is crucial and we have not forgotten to appropriately place televisions, all controllable by the DJ. The idea here is to make guests who may have come in on their own feel comfortable; giving them a focus while the acclimate to the pub.
Accomplishing our goal was a multifaceted task in this establishment. We did it by custom designing and producing the elements of décor that pulled the theme together. We are successful by making our client successful. In the bar and restaurant business originality counts. Guests make comparisons on all levels. A place that is visually exciting and unique has a huge head start. Adding great product with amazing service to the equation is a sure way to succeed, make awesome sales and keep guests coming back again and again.