Located at one of the busiest junctions in Dublin city centre, the Quinn Group's new Q Bar at O'Connell Bridge is the latest addition to Dublin's trendy nightlife scene. Once the location of the Harp Bar, glass and steel now dominate this modern three-storey space, boldly designed to catch the attention of the twentysomething target market. It sits alongside the more traditional Messrs Maguire pub on Burgh Quay, also owned by the Quinn Group. With contrasting styles and atmospheres, they are designed to complement each other.
A cleverly designed granite and chrome bar winds down from the ground floor through the mezzanine and into the basement in a single continuum and is one of the more striking features of the venue. Another eye-catching detail is a waterfilled wall at the back of the ground floor level, magnified and reflected in the surrounding mirrors creating an effect that draws people down to that end of the bar.
Spanning over 13,000 sq ft, different design themes emphasise the different levels of Q Bar. Open until late every night, this space has the capacity to host some 800 customers and the basement level is marked as a dance venue where the services of club promoters, the Velure Boys, have been engaged to DJ on a nightly basis. The Quinn Group has invested heavily in upgrading this venue and recognises that the music/entertainment is an influential element of the overall package necessary to attract the right crowd. Architects Brendan Balfe and Margaret Lyons of Paul Joyce Architects headed up the renovation project.
Q Bar will occupy a highly visible location in the city and customers enjoying a drink will be on display to passersby. The blue neon light of the sand blasted glass canopy is also designed to draw attention to the venue, and architect Brendan Balfe says this is reflective of the mindset of modern drinkers.
"The snugs and high windows of older bars were there so customers could sneak in and not be seen from outside, but younger people want to be seen, and to watch and feel the buzz going on outside," he said.
Entrance level is at ground floor, and, along with a large bar and seating area, this is also the location for the carvery lunch counter and kitchens. The proprietor, Philip Hickey, hopes to do a good lunch trade and has employed French chef Patrick Saccomano to create a calorie conscious menu with an international flavour.
The carvery area collapses back into the bar, allowing the space to be used as the bar fills up at night - many Dublin venues lose floor space due to the existence of a more permanent carvery feature.
The decor on the ground floor is a mixture of red and cream leather furniture and dark timbers set against a backdrop of a Travertine stone wall with a bronze fireball feature.
A steel staircase brings you to the double height mezzanine level where the steel fittings are softened by deep purple leather and cream marble flooring. This smaller area has been designed as a cocktail bar, and from here steps lead down to the dance floor area in the basement bar.
This level is dark with no natural light, so the designers worked with that atmosphere. Steel features strongly here and recessed lighting highlights certain areas. Glass boxes filled with water and flora are eye-catching details and should also add an entertainment element for customers. Glass shelving at the central bar allows for uninterrupted views of the general area.
One disadvantage of Q Bar will probably be the lack of lavatory facilities. At present these facilities are available only in the basement level and are limited in size.
