Smack was designed by Steve Smith who has owned the venue for 12 years. After launching it as Sugar in 1999, he refurbished the venue and changed the name to Smack in 2007. It was completely revamped last year with new interiors designed by Steve, with support from architect Adrian Baynes of Baynes & Co. The concept is described as “shock and awe”, with graffiti-like writing on the walls, floors and ceilings, illuminated floors and walls plastered with Polaroids of customers, plus a room where LED lighting creates spectacular, dizzying effects around the bar.
The best restaurant or bar in a hotel was The Bar – one of several bars at Coworth Park, the five-star hotel opened by the Dorchester Collection near Ascot in Berkshire. The cocktail bar was designed by Fox Linton Associates with an elegant and refined feel, reflecting the hotel’s mix of classic and contemporary interiors. It uses English smoked oak timber floors, natural stone and decorative etched mirror panelling.
The award for best pub went to Stravaigin, an award-winning bar and restaurant in Glasgow’s West End since 1994. Last year, it doubled in size and underwent a major refurbishment, designed by Surface-ID. The new space reflects the “eat global, think local” ethos of the restaurant and used salvaged materials.
The Restaurant & Bar Design Awards were held at the East Wintergarden in Canary Wharf, London, attracting many of the world’s leading designers and architects. The attendees at the awards ceremony enjoyed cocktails made by bartenders from consultancy Shaker, with Gin Mare, Ketel One vodka, BrewDog beers and The Macallan whisky as key partners. The canapés were served on trays designed in collaboration with shortlisted designers such as Lifeforms Design, Fusion DNA and SHH.
Best bar
Smack in Leamington Spa, designed by Steve Smith
Best restaurant
Busaba Eathai in Bicester, designed by David Archer Architects
Independent bar or club
Smack in Leamington Spa, designed by Steve Smith
Multiple bar or club
Grosvenor Café in Glasgow, designed by Surface-ID
Restaurant or bar in a hotel
The Bar at Coworth Park, designed by Fox Linton Associates
Restaurant, bar or club in another space
Barbican Foodhall in London, designed by SHH
Best pub
Stravaigin in Glasgow, designed by Surface-ID
[/captionInternational bar
Tazmania Ballroom in Hong Kong, designed by Design Research Studio
Independent restaurant
Barbican Lounge in London, designed by SHH
Multiple restaurant
Busaba Eathai in Bicester, designed by David Archer Architects
Café or fast food
Costa Coffee in Great Portland Street, London, designed by Stiff + Trevillion
Best lighting
Chan at The Met Hotel in Thessaloniki, Greece, with lighting by Andy Martin Studio
International restaurant (joint winners)
Look Out Café in Niseko, Japan, designed by Design Spirits
Cave in Sydney, Australia, designed by Koichi Takada
Identity and web design
Dock Kitchen, London, with design by Here Design