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Elevating the Social Experience 

Reimagining All Bar One

When Mitchells & Butlers approached us to revolutionise the All Bar One (ABO) brand, we knew we were in for an exhilarating challenge. Our mission was to create impactful externals and stylish, high-quality interiors that would captivate a millennial audience. The aim was to transform ABO into the ultimate hotspot for spirited individuals to meet friends, celebrate life, and indulge in exciting food and drinks from day to night. 

Crafting the spirited socialiser’s haven 

Our first step was to identify the quintessential ABO guest: the ‘Spirited Socialiser’—a well-traveled, urban-minded individual who values experiences and uses spaces as social hubs. This persona shaped our design philosophy, blending global inspiration with ABO’s core values of sociability, ambition, sincerity, style, and spirit. 

We introduced the concept of ‘Nordic home meets Scandi styling,’ laying a sophisticated foundation for the stylish interiors our client desired. Features like the mixo lounge, wine library, and bookable photo-worthy booths were designed to create unique, memorable experiences for millennials. 

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Turning challenges into design triumphs 

The sheer scale of the brief was our biggest challenge. We had to evolve the brand’s overall aesthetic while ensuring each site retained its distinct identity. Our solution? A flexible design palette that could be adapted to various locations, making each site a ‘sister, not a twin.’ 

We also devised a dynamic lighting strategy to transition spaces seamlessly from day to evening, keeping them welcoming and vibrant at all times. 

Showcasing the design masterpieces 

Two elements of the project truly stood out. First, the bespoke bar and back bar designs tailored to each site drew inspiration from modern apothecaries with a contemporary twist. This resulted in visually striking back bar displays and wine libraries, set against textural, sophisticated tiled bar fronts. 

Second, the FF&E (Furniture, Fixtures, and Equipment) design embraced Geo-botanicals—merging geometric designs with botanical prints. Bold pattern upholsteries, luxurious velvets, geometric timber and stone textures, botanical wallpapers, and gold accents created a bold yet refined aesthetic. 

LONDON TO BRIGHTON

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Bringing the vision to life

Our dual approach involved developing a new concept vision for the brand and applying it contextually to each site. We eliminated repetitive features, allowing each location to showcase its unique flair while maintaining a consistent design thread that aligned with ABO’s brand identity. 

The result? A series of stylish, high-quality interiors offering the ultimate day-to-evening experience. 

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A new era for All Bar One

The ABO project demonstrated our ability to blend creativity with strategic thinking. By focusing on the ‘Spirited Socialiser’ and incorporating global influences, we crafted dynamic, engaging spaces that realised the client’s vision..

The new ABO design is not only stylish and sophisticated but also adaptable, ensuring each site offers a unique and memorable experience.