How a Singaporean based Interior Designer Reimagined this Club Street Venue
We may have been in the midst of Covid restrictions but for many businesses in Singapore, life has had to go on. When owners of the Lion Brewery Co took over 36 Club Street they had two short months to turn around the property and settle into their new home. With a vision for a welcoming gastro-pub style space, they handed the task to Claire Warren from The Grey House. Claire had recently worked on the renovation of Straits Clan, the private members club now called Mandala Club, and agreed to take on the project. Undaunted by the short time frame (and the nightmare that is Covid disruptions!) she rolled up her sleeves and designed a warm and inviting space for which you can enjoy the best that Thirty Six has to offer.
How did this project come about?
The owners of Lion Brewery Co, a Singaporean craft beer brand, acquired 36 Club Street from the former tenants, Little Creatures. The acquisition was in line with their progression to take Lion Brewery Co into the F&B market and expand their distribution capabilities. The concept was to create a friendly and warm venue to celebrate the craft beer industry alongside their smokehouse specialities from their celebrated dining team. Our partnership formed after the team at Lion saw my work with Straits Clan (now Mandala Club) and asked if I would work with them to bring this vision to light.
WHAT WAS THE BRIEF FOR THE BAR 36 PROJECT?
Being a craft beer brand, retaining the brewery at the heart of the venue was important, but the owners of Bar 36 were keen to soften the space and take away the previous school dining hall experience which was feeling tired, industrial and very masculine. Design references were drawn from old school English pubs (Lion Brewery Co does have British heritage after all) but the brief was to create more of an international gastropub without any pretence, appealing to a wider range of globe-trotting clients who share an enjoyment of great food and delicious sips.
When planning the design I wanted to give the space a more universal appeal and felt that a softer, more feminine tone would welcome a wider crowd. In a nod to the Britsh pub, we designed beautiful oak panelling to wrap around the whole restaurant, including the bar, which not only softens the white walls and industrial ceiling but also connects the more utilitarian bar area (with the brewery in full view) and the cosier restaurant. Built in banquettes were created to allow big fabulous dining spaces (when numbers push beyond 2) and sofas and cosy armchairs, paired with higher coffee tables for eating, were added in the bay windows for more relaxed dining experiences.
Two-tone bar banquettes with bar stools in woven tan leather distinguish the bar area from the restaurant and keep the laid-back yet luxurious vibe. Down the side of the bar we included smaller, more secluded tables, in what feels like train carriages and for those who really want to chill out, a couple of leather chesterfield sofas in a snug for a hidden afternoon of craft beer tasting!
Splashes of colonial rattan, blues and greens are interspersed with the mainly earthy base palette and this is all complimented by some striking works of art, some of our favourites being Sue Gray’s magical painted Asian bottles, and Jamie Tan’s colourful geometry.
What were the challenges of this interior fit out?
Time was of the essence as we only had a 2 month window to turn the project around. Thirty Six wanted to be able to launch under the brand of Thirty Six with our new face all in place…always a challenge, especially during covid when supply issues are being felt the world over.
What is your favourite element of the interiors?
I love the tonal bar banquettes where we have used a soft grey/blue leather on the base with a more textured fabric on the back rest - the fabrics are such a beautiful blend (many sourced at Bode) and work harmoniously with the woven brown leather bar stools.
I am also a big fan of the art wall as I love Sue Gray’s bottles mixed in with Kat Howard’s photographic prints, some pieces from The Artling and even a few cheeky posters from The Poster Club (it doesn’t all have to be expensive!)
Visit
Thirty Six Brewlab and Smokehouse
36 Club Street / +65 6239 0350 / thirty-six.sg
For Interior Design or Customised Furniture enquiries, speak to
Claire Warren, The Grey House
thegreyhouseonline.com / info@thegreyhouseonline / +65 9068 5209