The Diplomat is Hong Kong’s Newest Speakeasy
Located in Central’s H Code building, The Diplomat — established by mixologist John Nugent — is an intimate speakeasy housing two separate bars. Multidisciplinary studio Littleurbanmountain Design is behind the interiors, where brass, leather and tinted glass predominate. We speak to design principle Bong Yeung about The Diplomat’s ‘bar within a bar’ design concept
Design Anthology: How did you first meet the client?
Bong Yeung: We approached the client directly. As an emerging practice that focuses on art and design, our strategy is to seek out clients with similar values, and the client behind The Diplomat is an example of that. This bar is actually the third project we’ve worked with them on.
What’s unique about the building and the location?
Tucked away on the lower-ground floor of H Code, the bar is surrounded by art spaces and galleries. The neighbourhood in Central is full of popular drinking and dining venues like Tell Camellia and J. Boroski.
What was the brief for the project?
The brief was to create a speakeasy pub, but the most challenging part was the ‘bar within a bar’ concept that the client envisioned. The front bar was to be a cosy and welcoming gastropub that’s open to all, while the back bar would have its own entrance, a different drinks menu and a DJ booth for intimate music events. The back area has a more intimate interior, almost like a private club. The client wanted the two bars to have totally different styles, but share the same kitchen and restrooms at the far back.
What design references or narrative did you try to incorporate into the space?
We approached the project by looking at references to existing speakeasies, which usually have a very bespoke, distinctive entrance and foyer. So we started with the front bar, referencing gastropubs like Fitz's in London. Here we tried to incorporate a classic interior style with a signature arched wall as a centrepiece, but with a modern touch. We wanted the facade to hint at the interiors and draw people in from the street. We reference ribbon windows from modernist architecture and interestingly, also the 20th Century Limited train — a first-class train that travelled between New York and Chicago from 1902 to1967 — that mixologist John Nugent suggested. For the back bar concept, we looked to the Chiltern Firehouse in London and Tokyo Music Bar in Mexico City as inspiration for a more lounge-like space with plenty of timber lining and brass details. For the vanity corridor that connects both front and back bars to the restrooms and kitchen, we created a more contracted pink space to connect the two different themes.
Please tell us a little about the material choices for the space.
Although a speakeasy requires different tones, we still wanted to maintain a rather consistent material narrative throughout the space. Brass is the material we chose to highlight and thought that it best suited the image of a ‘diplomat’. From the curved pebble-dash wall and brass ribbon window frame on the facade and brass details that complement the brown leather banquette, we also tried to use brass as the base to create different palettes. The two arch displays matched with the subtle metallic gold of the fabric wallcovering become the features in the room. For the matt pink corridor and inside the back bar, we also selected some brushed-brass feature lights and furniture to maintain coherence.
Please tell us about some of the custom pieces for the space.
The curved leather banquette seating was designed to make the front bar space more flexible. It can form an 18-seat setting with bar stools and high tables but can also accommodate 20 to 30 guests standing in the main space when the seats are removed. We designed the back of the banquette to be covered in brass and extended the material onto the facade to form a ledge, which then becomes a piece of urban furniture in Tun Wo Lane.
Are there any other details about the project you want to share?
You may be wondering where the images of the back bar are, but since the client wanted this bar to remain private with a sense of exclusivity, no images are allowed to be published — instead they hope that anyone interested will come for a drink and see for themselves.
Images / Benjamin Hoong
