Inside Coley Cocktail Bar

Local designer Karen Mok is behind the design of much-loved Bangsar cocktail bar Coley, its sophisticated interiors reflecting the bar’s journey since it opened in 2016, as well as its place on Asia’s 50 Best Bars list. Here, Mok shares more about the bar’s indoor-outdoor concept

How did you first meet the client?

Karen Mok: I met the owner of Coley, Chee Keong ‘CK’ Kho, for the very first time at a pop-up bar in Kuala Lumpur.

What was his brief to you for the project?

CK started Coley in 2016 by renting a small space at the back of a cafe. It was a basic set up, but after two years he decided to move to a new, bigger space that would be entirely theirs. He wanted to provide a whole new drinking experience to his customers, and our redesign — completed in 2018 — provides a more comfortable and mature space in which to showcase the craft of cocktail making.

Where is Coley, and what’s great about its neighbourhood? 

Coley is in Bangsar, an area known for nightlife, food and drinks. But the bar is located in a much quieter part of Bangsar, with homes, small studios and cafes as neighbours. The area is about 20 minutes out of the city centre.

How did you approach the project — what design references or narrative did you try to incorporate into the space?

My intention was to create the feeling of an underground bar that’s still open, not hidden. We planned the flow around the long, narrow corridor, placing operational spaces on the left and a cosy lounge setting on the right. Overall, we landed on an overall combination of raw, retro, contemporary and natural touches, which is really a highlight.

To create a kind of ‘tropical oasis’ feel, we went with mainly outdoor materials, such as concrete with a custom effect on the middle wall, which draws the eye down the corridor, and the textural outdoor wall coating on all other walls, which reaches up to the custom-designed vaulted ceiling, too. We also used a terracotta cement flooring to complete the look. Most of the furniture and lighting is vintage.

As you walk in, you’re welcomed by greenery and a pebbled area with more relaxed seating, the second part of the bar is the bar counter, where customers can interact with the bartenders; the low tables and sofas are the final seating option.

Images / All is Amazing