Modern aesthetics and rich heritage combine to create a luxurious and cinematic Whisky bar at the Art Deco Rio cinema
Named the Ludski Bar after the Rio’s founder and inspired by the cult classic films shown at the Art Deco cinema, this modern whisky bar brings together Lozi’s signature minimal aesthetic and the Rio’s rich cinematic history.
The Ludski bar is part of Lozi’s sponsorship of the RIO-generation campaign to raise funds to restore the picture house to its former glory. Inspired by many of his fond memories of the cinema, Lozi’s founder Soroush got involved when he heard about the campaign and offered the Rio what he does best: bespoke design. Entirely done at material costs, the Ludski bar brings the cinema’s rich heritage to life to create an elegant contemporary space with a focus on environmentally friendly practices.
The room focuses on a dramatic backlit bar, inspired by the Gold Room from the iconic cult classic The Shining, recreating the film’s backlit bar with wood veneers and compact acrylic designed to mimic translucent marble. Lozi added their signature curved detailing to reflect the Art Deco architecture of the cinema itself, creating a space that is deeply sympathetic to its surroundings - a piece of cinema brought to life.
Warm curved wood and translucent veneers give this bar a luxurious yet welcoming feel. Somewhere you can relax and pretend to be Jack Nicholson enjoying a drink from the bar’s selection of specialty whiskies and locally distilled spirits.
A set of Rio chairs, designed specifically for the cinema and named after it, take pride of place under cult film posters from the Rio’s extensive archive. Small tables make the most of a compact space.
To ensure the bar stands the test of time, Lozi has used hard-wearing finishes that can handle the busy Saturday night parties. The bar top is made from sturdy and waterproof grey vinyl and the curved wood bar has been sealed with a clear varnish, making it wipeable and water resistant. The tables are finished in brushed aluminium and the seating is re-upholstered in waterproof leather.
Many original features from the Rio have been up-cycled and adapted - from re-upholstered vintage seating and film posters to joints from the cinema’s 1950s handrails. Some of Lozi’s signature pieces have been given a cinematic twist, like adding shadowed film reels to a translucent Sunset Lamp and creating a new translucent wall lamp inspired by the Art Deco ventilation grates found in the main auditorium.
The Ludski bar continues Lozi’s environmentally friendly practice. Sustainable plywood from FSC-registered sources is used as standard and the floor is made from phthalate-free eco-concrete vinyl. The bar will have a no single-use plastics policy and many of the drinks and spirits available will be from small and local breweries and distilleries.
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Please find our guided pricing here
Each project varies depending on the size of your space, the complexity of the design and your choice of materials and finishes.
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After submitting your enquiry and confirming a quote that suits your budget, you'll be allocated one of our highly skilled designer-makers and they will schedule a site visit, where relevant. Based on your requirements and personal style, we'll provide a digital 2-D design to visualise the project outcome. Your designer-maker will ensure the experience is stress-free, supporting important design decisions and providing tailored, design-led solutions. All Lozi furniture is then made in-house and if appropriate, carefully installed by the designer-maker and workshop team.
Click here for a full breakdown of each stage