Bryan O’Sullivan Studio has revealed its richly designed new space, The Berkeley Bar & Terrace. This new addition to the landmark five star hotel, joins the legendary Blue Bar.
The design story by Bryan O’Sullivan is intimate and refined, layered with a sense of old world glamour, and the space has its own terrace for alfresco gatherings, and the Snug for private parties. The Berkeley Bar offers a finely curated menu of exemplary and rare wines and dark spirits.
The space has been created by Irish designer Bryan O’Sullivan, recently named one of House & Garden’s Top 100 interior designers. Key features include a half-moon marble bar, a central fireplace and a hideaway Snug. Repeat Brutalist-inspired arch forms that run through the space reference the home of the Grenadiers, an infantry regiment of the British Army whose stables were originally located on the Wilton Place grounds where the hotel was built.
The central material in the design story is an exquisite walnut wood. Taken from a 300-year-old tree felled from the Fulbeck Estate, Lincolnshire in the great storm of 2007, the grain is extraordinarily complex and beautiful. The delicate finish of the timber brings out the depth and intricacy of the figuring, the panels of which are used throughout the bar to cocoon the whole space, while a colour palette of soft corals, creams and pinks offset its richness. The story of the tree and the Fulbeck Estate has also been romantically depicted by the most expert craftsman in a plasterwork frieze which runs above the wood panels – another example of the artisanal touches in the bar.
The Snug has been designed for more secluded occasions, set away from the main bar and seating up to nine guests. It features a spectacular mural, painted by New York-based artist TM Davy, in a concept developed together with Bryan O’Sullivan. Davy was inspired by original snug spaces in public houses, usually reserved for women and their secret discussions, when men and women did not mix socially. The mural depicts gazing female faces with mysterious and knowing expressions, all connected with rhythmic lines to portray the connection and trusted relationships between them. With its own sound system and call-for-service button, The Snug provides visitors with their own bespoke space.
The bar opens out onto an intimate terrace of only four tables, overlooking the neighbouring St Paul’s Church.
The Berkeley Bar is the Studio’s first hospitality project in London. Every element of The Berkeley Bar has been designed by Bryan O’Sullivan Studio and is realised by fine craftspeople, from the plasterwork frieze, bespoke lighting, custom furniture to the unique totem pole. “I am honoured to have been asked to create this very special space for The Berkeley, famous for creating iconic bars,” says Bryan O’Sullivan, “The rich history of the building provided a spring board of inspiration for what we hope is a timeless yet contemporary new edition to this London landmark.”
“We are delighted to introduce The Berkeley Bar to our guests and, of course, our local community,” says Knut Wylde, General Manager of The Berkeley. “The hotel continues to contribute to the vibrant London bar scene with this opening which will complement our much-loved Blue Bar, and add something extra special to the hotel.”
