Dorans - New Orleans Style Bar & Music Venue

This project involved working very closely with the client (who was also the contractor) in conjunction with a specialist art company. The venue has a front bar, which is furnished with soft leather seating, warm terracotta tumbled marble tiles and reconstituted stone walls. A mix of traditional principles with a contemporary twist means this bar appeals to all age groups.

The curved line of the bar is complimented with a tile step, which runs into a raised area creating the feature of a lower bar counter. The back bar takes the lines of a traditional back bar but replaces it with solid oak beams and suspended glass shelves. Spotlights, recessed into the beam, filter light through the sandblasted glass. Coved recessed lighting help to visually heighten the ceiling while providing indirect lighting.

The venue itself is approached either through the front bar or the tunnel on the side of the building. The ticket box was designed to allow a flow from the tunnel through the entrance doors. Rich colourwashed red and cream walls immediately envelop the customer. Pressed brass instruments on crushed purple velvet create an opulent back bar and concealed strips of lighting in a step display illuminate the spirits. The vertical lines of the lats on both bars accentuate their curves.Intricate wrought iron inspired by that of the New Orleans French Quarter encircles the venue, embellished with planting. Elaborate murals punctuate the walls along with a ‘hall of fame’ type musician's gallery.

Café style furniture give an intimacy to the ground floor while the first floor is furnished with curved high level fitted seating and lattice back high stools. The first floor of the venue is fitted with a screen whereby bands playing on the hydraulics operated stage below can be viewed live. Toilets are equally impressive with a clever use of mirrors, glass and light produce a flattering reflection while, terracotta Spanish tiles in varying sizes combine to give an intriguing design.