Beneath Hotbox, is a 175sqm basement bar. Accessed via the shared, dimly lit staircase, Shed imagined the cocktail bar as an antidote to the ground floor restaurant Hotbox, a white box to contrast upstairs’ black. Paying homage to the site’s previous incarnation as a street art studio and gallery (rumoured to have been owned by Bristol’s most famous export), the clients evolving collection of artwork is simply hung behind white timber studwork to create a bold backdrop for the bar and midfloor.
The matter of fact attitude reminiscent of Warhols’ Factory parties has influenced the mismatched collection of midcentury furniture. Hoop and Condesa chairs sit alongside the infamous Togo sofa, whilst a collection of bespoke ottomans in clashing psychedelic velvets encourage large groups to descend from the restaurant and fawn over the cocktail menu. Light levels are kept low; the mirror polished bar top and silver foil bathrooms a not so subtle nod to the king of pop art.