Thirsty City 127, at Lower Parel, Mumbai is a craft brewery and cocktail bar. Replacing the legendary “Barking Deer,” one of the first craft breweries in India. The new space improves the beer portfolio, and adds a craft cocktail bar to the space.
The studio set out to work towards a space that would bring to the forefront the iconic brewery, and then expand into spirits. Additional spaces on the premises are a flexible room connected to the bar, and another bar on the first floor for private events. The bar is at the end of a narrow alley dotted with popular breweries, and restaurants. The space was crafted, much like a great, out of its basic elements- Specific ingredients, perfect pairing, and careful assembly.
Alcohol occurs in nature, from the depths of space to the primordial “soup” that may have generated the first life on Earth.1 Almost every creature on the planet consumes alcohol. This zest for spirits has led to humanity being able to make it out of almost anything. This was a starting point for the studio’s exploration into the iconography that goes into the space. A set of spirits and beverages were chosen in consultation with the bartenders- Beer, Vodka, Gin, and malted liquor. Their respective plant bases were identified- Barley and Hops, Potato [sic], Juniper, and then ingredients that go into drinks- Sugarcane, Citrus, and water. These plant forms were studied in detail, and abstract forms of these were created with Unomono2. These abstract forms- cast in Iron, Copper, and Brass make sculptural forms. Patination and corrosion is used to create colours. A large number of wave, and cloud forms were created to tell a story of the production of liquor. This set of sculptural forms creates the basis for the whole space, which is designed to tell a story of the crafting of the drink you hold.
Located at the end of the alley, in Mumbai, the space is tucked in and barely visible. The studio used the vegetable forms created for the space, using them in frames to tell a story of liquor. Every window is unique, custom-made, and presents the organic element in the aesthetic of the bar; lights in between each light up the various forms, and encourages you to continue on a journey through a crafted space.
One has to walk past this line of windows, to enter the main bar space. The door is an assemblage of liquid forms that unfolds in layers to reveal a rippled brass handle. Stepping in, a monogram in the floor greets you. The bar hides on the left, walking further in, one enters an intimate space within brewery brewery; copper vessels surround you, and the space is dark. The mood is light, conversation, wafting aromas, the perfect temperature, and music that holds conversation make the atmosphere. Make your way to the bar, or sit down in a chair, designed by the studio and intimately arranged for conversation. A large bar with seemingly unlimited liquor is at the far end of the space. Made of terrazzo with glass chips, brass coasters are in-built to point to a serving area. The bar stools, designed by the studio are perfectly weighted to not topple forwards while getting off. The floor is a tapestry of black limestone and dark terrazzo with coloured stone; brass strips give direction to the space.
The event space is flexible, and allows for a range of functions, from adding space to the bar, to hosting private events, or a gallery space. Held together by a fluted glass partition on the south, and a set of folded steel planes that make the stairway up to the next floor. A sofa under the stair holds in the north end.
The stairs in Thirsty City are made to feel almost impossible, a single folded plane of steel that winds up four supports- nothing else. The handrail winds its way in a similar fashion starting at the bottom, and winding up and round the stair to meet with the viewer as they walk up.
The room above is a private, even more intimate bar that is treated similar to the one on the ground floor. The ceiling above is the night sky. Mirrored panels with small bulbs that light up the space, and are reflected at angles in the ceiling. The space is for private parties, or quiet drinks.
Thirsty City 127 is a labour of love, from every person involved, Studio Pomegranate appreciates the faith shown by the clients, and all the amazing people involved in crafting this space, where every element is created for the experience of being able to come with close friends and have an unforgettable experience.
Notes:
- McGOVERN, PATRICK E. “ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES: Whence and Whither?” In Uncorking the Past: The Quest for Wine, Beer, and Other Alcoholic Beverages, 266-82. University of California Press, 2009.
- Unomono: Creative Agency in Delhi- http://www.unomono.in
Project Facts:
Client: Barking Deer hospitality private limited
Project location: Thirsty City 127, Mathuradas Mill compound, Lower Parel, Mumbai 400030
Area: 4340 Sq.ft
Time: 3 Months
Project Team: Studio Pomegranate:Pranav Naik, Shweta Shah, Neel Davda, Rasika Rajagopalan, Parmi Savla, Manasvi Rane.
J.M. Baxi:Vir Kotak, Akriti Agarwal, Jitin Sahni, Manindra Nath Hati, Sameer
Barking Deer: Gregory Kroistch, Abhishek Aggarwal
Consultants: Bajrang Sharma, Rameshwar Bhadhwa Alex Barstow, Gracian D’Souza, Arijit Bose, Yogi Engineering, Sunny Nikam,
Artists: Anand Prabhudesai (Rich Steel), Adil Khanna, Reva Dutta (Unomono)
Construction Team:Tanishq Interiors, Yogi Engineering, Mortar Construction, Rich Steel
Architecture+Design 