Remember those bars and clubs in Blade Runner, Gattaca and Star Wars? Remember their feel, the dark and somewhat mysterious interior, the chromium plated surfaces, the neon lights, the wavy and spiky shapes, the otherworldly furniture and the bars themselves? Ever want to visit one of them? As an avid fan of science fiction I am always delighted to see bar designs which excite my imagination and senses, and transport me into scenes from favorite books and movies.
Sure, Futuristic designs are nothing new but as time progresses so do designs, their ingeniousness, the quality and type of materials used, etc. Modern bar and club designs, for example, manage to conceal or incorporate behind the bar equipment, whether it is a back bar cooler, underbar equipment or other bar supplies in a very smooth and subtle manner. Furthermore, they echo both the past and the future in that they revive old styles, while at the same time providing them with a more contemporary context. The following 7 futuristic bars are illustrative examples of how modern interior design has progressed and developed.
Alegra (Dubai, UAE)
Boujis (Hong Kong)
Designed by Blacksheep and hailing from South Kensington, London but ever since October last year also open in Hong Kong is Boujis, one of the most exclusive private member bars in the city. Though the bar pays tribute to its British roots (by incorporating British-themed decorations and Union Jack inspired patterns), it is also true to its current, ultra-modern location with the use of LED lighting and screens as well as the choice of colors per se – giving it a futuristic, yet somewhat rustic look. Boujis Hong Kong has also entered this year's Design Awards.
SOUND (Phuket, Thailand)
And while we're still in Asia, here's a club which though it seems is not in business anymore was nevertheless quite impressive with its interior design and lighting. It was designed by Orbit Design Studio with lighting by Inverse. In all honesty, it somehow reminds me of how I've always envisioned the Spacing Guild's premises and ships from Dune by Frank Herbert. Probably due to its deep tones, metallic and reflective surfaces, and orange and blue lighting which creates both a feeling of floating in space as well as of sands and the so-called 'spice'. Anyway, before I drift off to some other planet, I should also point out that the bar featured a 19-meter graphic equalizer LED screen which was synchronized with the music that was currently running. The club could accommodate up to 700 visitors.
Paramount Bar (London, UK)
Paramount Bar in London, located in the Centre Point tower, was designed by renowned interior designer Tom Dixon. True to the maxim of reviving, rediscovering and combining the new with the old, the bar blends a retro look from, say, the 60s with futuristic elements and a view that can only belong to a modern-day metropolis. Its clean aesthetic which incorporates materials such as stone and concrete adds to this feeling, without making the bar feel cold but rather modern. The bar which is also a restaurant may not be so easy to visit but is certainly worth the effort.
Instalação Nightclub (Porto, Portugal)
Designed by José Carlos Cruz Arquitecto, Instalação is a nightclub based in Porto, Portugal. With the help of the right illumination, and materials such as brass and polished aluminum (which are used to create a type of floating golden wire tunnel), the designers have managed to provide the bar with a spacious feel though it is actually somewhat narrow in some of its parts. The concrete ceiling has a nice texture to it which, combined with the cool blue lighting, gives a relaxing feel to all the rooms.
Hyde Lounge (Miami, United States)
The Hyde Lounge, located in the AmericanAirlines Arena in Miami, Florida features a design by Gulla Jonsdottir Design (G+ Design). It, too, combines wooden and rustic elements with ultra-modern lighting, furniture and shapes. Central elements include the chromium or aluminum plated human figures which are positioned in different places around the bar, creating a feeling of timelessness because of their frozen postures. Curiously enough, the bar is often used for the viewing of sports events, being located in the AAA, though it may look like a high-end exclusive VIP bar.
Virgin Atlantic Airbus Bar
Though technically not a bar, as it is located on board an airplane, the Virgin Atlantic Airbus Bar is certainly worth a look. Launched in April 2012, the futuristic bar and cabin on board the Upper Class Airbus A330 are a design by British Architecture and Design Studio, and incorporate materials which have never before been used in aircrafts. The bar and cabin feature clean, straight lines, i.e. a somewhat minimalistic feel, with reddish, pink and purple lighting, as well polished machined aluminum surfaces, all of which which would make me personally feel like I'm on board the Starship Enterprise and not an Airbus. The bar area is separate from the cabin area and permits for plenty of socialization and comfort whilst at the same time retaining the privacy of the cabin areas.
Are there any futuristic bar designs which inspire you and which you would like to share? Or have you maybe experienced any of the above? Please leave us a comment and let us know.
