The Caviar Bar in St Petersburg

“To create a luxurious bar that sells caviar in the heart of St Petersburg for a chic and discerning clientele was an exciting and challenging prospect”, says Jon O’Dwyer of RDD. “Simply named the ‘Caviar Bar’, we decided to work on a concept of just that – caviar and of course, sturgeon fish. The result is a spectacular bar that is both sumptuous as well as inviting”.

RDD, based in London, are design architects specialising in hotels, bars, restaurants and health spas throughout Europe. Each project is carefully considered and a great deal of time is spent in ensuring that not only is the end result successful, but that it “works”. Added Jon, “Dramatic effects are important but the space must be used sensibly to ensure that clients have a stylish and practical area in which to operate their business.

“At the Caviar Bar we concentrated on our central theme which led us to use related materials such as a black glass beaded wallpaper, gently illuminated on the bar front, giving the appearance of caviar.

We also incorporated carved mirror panels behind the bar, created by glass designer Paul Clifford. He was also commissioned to supply over scaled etched glass screens with a shoal of swimming sturgeons, creating glamorous space dividers within the bar area.

Van der Straeten, the Parisian designer specialising in unique artisan metalwork, was chosen for supplying the over-scaled cast bronze wall lights, adding sculptural elements to the space. These, with the addition of plenty of concealed lighting adding highlights to the beautiful polished portoro marble bar top and brushed brass detailing & back bar give a general ambience of relaxed sophistication.

We spent considerable time discussing the ideas we generated with Rocco Forte Hotels to design something exceptional. The result is both a refined & relaxing bar for the appreciation of the ultimate of foods.

Concluded Jon, “Once the concept direction had been agreed, it was just a matter of sourcing the finest suppliers. By carefully integrating their products with our design we were able to provide a spectacular yet welcoming bar, for the clientele of this well established St Petersburg landmark hotel”.