Creating the ideal bar vibe is more than a collection of elements—it’s a seamless blend of lighting, spatial flow, atmosphere, and a cocktail menu that embodies both character and intention.
Some may say that the best bar design is one that occasionally breaks the rules of convention, giving guests a truly memorable experience. Others prefer to stick to a template that has stood the test of time–where elongated marble counter tops, dim lighting and high bar stools effortlessly create an exclusive ambience for patrons to loosen their ties and unwind over a good drink or two.
Nyapshin Koh, managing director of Kuala Lumpur-based interdisciplinary design practice Port25 and the creative force behind award-winning bars like Reka:Bar and Bar Mizukami in Kuala Lumpur, defines the ‘perfect bar vibe’ as one that exudes clarity of design intent, where every aspect is thoughtfully crafted to enhance ambience, interaction, and comfort.
“People are always at the centre of the design process, and all the bars that we design share a strong clarity of design,” he says. “Establishing a clear methodology of design generates a great out-put.” Each bar, Koh says, is a unique canvas, requiring careful collaboration to reflect both the client’s vision and the bar’s distinct identity.
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Whether it’s creating intimacy within larger spaces or incorporating local culture through materials, the essence lies in making patrons feel at ease while subtly inviting them to engage with their surroundings. As Koh puts it, “Good vibes are what bring everything together: design, ambience, drinks, music, and people.”
No person is in a better position to decide this distinct design language than the bar-owner. We talk to three leading bar owners and directors from around Asia to weigh in how they create the ideal bar vibe in their own successful establishments across Singapore, Malaysia, and Taiwan.
Yana K, Atlas
Head bartender Lidiyanah ‘Yana’ K is the spirited force behind Atlas’s iconic gin cocktails (Photo: Atlas)
Head bartender and beverage director Lidiyanah ‘Yana’ K is the spirited force behind Atlas’s iconic gin cocktails and glamorous atmosphere. Located in Singapore’s Parkview Square in Bugis, Atlas itself is a modern homage to Europe’s grand lobbies and New York’s iconic skyscrapers. A Singapore native, Yana joined Atlas as a barista, but eventually discovered an unmatched passion and talent for bartending. Today, her expertise and lively personality make her a true Atlas icon, setting the tone for its one-of-a-kind experience.
“For me, the perfect bar vibe is a blend of elegance, comfort, and a bit of exclusivity—where everything feels thoughtfully designed and inviting,” Yana says. “Atlas nails this by mixing Art Deco glamour with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. It breaks away from traditional bar designs by combining style with practicality. While many bars focus purely on looks, we make sure that our design enhances both the aesthetics and the efficiency of service. Features like foot-pedal taps, hidden storage, and spacious pathways show that Atlas is about more than just appearance—it's about creating a seamless experience for both guests and our team.”
With its striking architecture and impressive Gin Tower, the bar offers a taste of the past with an unmistakably contemporary flair, kept alive by Yana and the team’s innovative, timeless spirit.
How does Atlas incorporate local culture or history into its atmosphere?
Atlas is situated in Parkview Square, a standout in the Singapore skyline with its grand Art Deco design. While we draw inspiration from European Art Deco, our location has made us a part of Singapore’s history. By offering a unique experience that complements the rich heritage of our surroundings, Atlas demonstrates how global influences can harmoniously blend with Singapore’s vibrant identity, enhancing the city’s cultural fabric.
See also: Singapore's Atlas is The Best Bar in Asia on World’s 50 Best Bars 2020 List
The Art Deco-inspired interior of Atlas (Photo: Atlas)
What role does lighting play in setting the mood of a bar?
Lighting is key to setting the right mood. At Atlas, we use advanced, adjustable lighting systems to create a warm, inviting atmosphere that changes throughout the day. The combination of overhead lights, lamps, and strategically placed fixtures helps us highlight the bar’s Art Deco beauty while keeping things cosy and comfortable.
It may seem like a small thing, but we use natural candlelight on our tables because it adds that touch of warmth and glow that no electrical device can achieve. It’s a luxury for such a large and busy venue to have, but the effect is worth the extra investment in labour and expense.
What considerations should go into selecting materials and textures for a bar’s interior?
It’s about finding that sweet spot between durability and aesthetics. At Atlas, we chose materials like marble and brass for their timeless look and resilience and added textures like velvet for a touch of luxury. These choices create a rich, inviting environment that feels both sturdy and sophisticated.
In terms of soft finishings, we took the advice of our sound engineers to invest in materials that would enhance the acoustic integrity of our surrounds. From the thick pile carpet, to the highest grade velvet on our drapes and armchairs–these materials are not only durable and beautiful, they also serve the functionality of creating the perfect acoustic environment allowing our guests to enjoy intimate conversations uninterrupted by a soundtrack that enhances the overall ambiance.
How do you create a sense of intimacy or exclusivity in larger spaces?
This involves strategic spatial planning and thoughtful design elements. We achieved this at Atlas by incorporating intimate seating zones with plush banquettes and deep armchairs, which allow guests to feel cocooned in their own private space, even in a grand setting. It’s all about making sure everyone finds their perfect spot. A fully customised adjustable suspended lighting track was installed specifically to allow pinpoint lighting to create a sense of cosiness and intimacy for each table even within the vastness of our grand and voluminous space.
How does Atlas’s atmosphere evolve throughout the evening?
We like to keep things dynamic at Atlas. Our lighting and music change as the day goes on, shifting from bright and relaxed vibes to dimmer livelier music at night. This helps create a flow that matches the mood of our guests, keeping the atmosphere fresh and engaging all evening long.
Our design balances social and private spaces beautifully. The open bar area is perfect for mingling and watching the bartenders work, while we also have plenty of secluded spots for those who want a bit more privacy. It’s all about giving guests the best of both worlds.
Nick Wu, Bar Mood
Nick Wu, hailed as Taiwan’s ‘maestro of mixology‘, has turned his lifelong passion for bartending into an art form at Bar Mood Taipei.
Since joining the F&B scene in 1998, Wu has refined his craft through collaborations with luminaries like Japan’s Hidetsugu Ueno and achieved global acclaim, including wins at the Diageo World Class 2016 in Miami. Opening Bar Mood in Taipei’s bustling Eastern District in 2017, Wu has set his sights on elevating Taiwan’s cocktail culture on the world stage. His signature creations, often infused with locally inspired tea-based ingredients, push the boundaries of flavour through techniques like steeping, distilling, and crafting unique bitters and syrups.
Recognised by Tatler as one of the top 20 bars in Taiwan, Bar Mood captures Wu’s dedication to innovation, sustainability, and his commitment to making Taiwan a cocktail destination.
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How do you define the perfect ‘bar vibe’, and how does Bar Mood embody this concept?
We designed Bar Mood with a flat bar surface seven years ago (which was quite rare at the time) allowing customers to see all our ingredients and the entire cocktail-making process. This setup fosters interaction, and even those seated on the sofas can watch the bartenders in action. It also presented challenges in planning our workflow, but many guest bartenders who visit Bar Mood from abroad appreciate our smooth working flow and layout. The overall atmosphere invites everyone to become more immersed in the experience.
The exterior view of Bar Mood in Taipei (Photo: Bar Mood)
How do you balance aesthetics with functionality in your bar layout?
A balance between aesthetics and functionality is definitely achievable, though budget is also a factor. Our bar surface has a warm, matte finish instead of the cold, industrial look of stainless steel. I choose materials that feel comfortable to the touch and have a sense of warmth. Tactile sensations become important when people sit down and start touching the tables and surfaces.
We’ve also incorporated warmer tones throughout the space to create a visually pleasing environment. Additionally, we have a floral centerpiece that we update weekly. This adds a touch of nature and reflects our use of natural, local ingredients, creating an evolving atmosphere.
What role does lighting play in setting the mood, and how do you approach its design?
During dining hours, we keep the lighting bright, but after 8:30pm, we adjust it to a softer, more comfortable level for drinking. It’s easy on the eyes, but still clear enough to see your companions, food, and cocktails. One of our neighbors, who owns a restaurant nearby, suggested that the lighting in our restrooms be consistent with the bar’s overall ambiance. That feedback helped us refine the lighting design, and we deliberately keep the restroom lighting dim, ensuring that the ambiance of the bar isn’t disrupted when guests return from the restroom.
How does Bar Mood incorporate local culture or history into its atmosphere?
While we don’t use a lot of historical elements, we have two distinct areas in the bar. The front section is clean and bright, perfect for those standing and enjoying a drink. Since we’re located in Taipei’s East District, near many offices and department stores, the front has a modern, clean vibe. As guests pass through a curtain, they enter a warmer, wooden area, creating a sense of retreat or escape.
Bar Mood boasts two distinct areas, with a front section that is bright and clean and a warmer, wooden area within (Photo: Bar Mood)
Bar Mood boasts two distinct areas, with a front section that is bright and clean and a warmer, wooden area within (Photo: Bar Mood)
How do you create a sense of intimacy or exclusivity in larger spaces?
Our brand essence is rooted in nature. The name “Bar Mood” (吧沐) is a combination of the Chinese characters for ‘water’ and ‘wood’. Water refers to the ice, spirits, and house-made syrups we use in our cocktails. The ‘wood’ reflects our use of natural ingredients, such as local Taiwanese herbs, spices, and tea. This wooden, nature-inspired design creates a feeling of warmth and familiarity.
What strategies does Bar Mood employ to ensure the atmosphere evolves throughout the evening?
The most direct strategies are changes in lighting and music. We use a Bose sound system, ensuring the highest audio quality. The music changes depending on the day of the week, with different tunes for dining and drinking hours, tailored to the atmosphere of the moment.
How does Bar Mood’s design encourage social interaction while also offering private conversation spaces?
Every customer comes to the bar with a different mood or intention, and we observe the state of our customers and guide them accordingly.
Koh Yung Shen, Backdoor Bodega
Koh Yung Shen is the founder of Backdoor Bodega and No Bar Here in George Town, Penang (Photo: Backdoor Bodega)
True aesthetics and functionality of a bar is how the bartender creates the atmosphere, or soul, of the bar through his or her work. That is what gives a cocktail bar its unique identity.
By - Koh Yung Shen
Koh Yung Shen, founder of Penang’s hidden gem Backdoor Bodega, has transformed the island’s cocktail scene with his unique blend of creativity, entrepreneurship, and self-taught mixology. After a career in advertising and design—and founding The Swagger Salon, an apparel line—Koh returned to Penang in 2014 with an inventive vision. He launched Backdoor Bodega as a speakeasy hidden behind The Swagger Salon, cleverly selling drink tokens disguised as “overpriced” pins.
Koh’s story is a reminder that passion and ingenuity can turn any space into a destination, especially one with a secret door and a story.
“The perfect bar vibe to me is a place that I can get away from it all—a sweet spot that transports me away to a different time and place that is outside my ordinary life yet familiar enough for me to feel at home,” shares the 2022 Giffard West Cup Asia Champion. “Familiar music playing in the background to strike up nostalgia, a cocktail menu that I can get lost in for hours, with conversations that I can have with random strangers yet still be in my own little space if I wanted to be.”
The interior of Backdoor Bodega in Penang (Photo: Backdoor Bodega)
“That's why I designed Backdoor Bodega to be more of ‘cocktail canteen’ than a fancy cocktail bar—a casual drinking den where you can have loud conversations with friends or strangers, with playlists featuring music from 90s hip-hop to 2000s alt-rock to Sheila Majid and Vanessa Carlton depending on the day of the week, yet still featuring an impressive 25-drink signature cocktail menu that will lead you on a thirst-quenching journey should you be in the mood for a cocktail adventure.”
Today, Backdoor Bodega holds a spot as one of the first Malaysian bars to be listed on Asia’s 50 Best Bars’ 2024 list, a testament to Koh’s growing reputation. In 2023, he expanded his vision with No Bar Here, a disco-themed cocktail haven celebrating the 80s, and in the same year organised the inaugural Penang Cocktail Week, spotlighting the Malaysian state’s emerging bar scene.
How does Backdoor Bodega challenges traditional design trends surrounding bars and cocktail parlours?
We pride ourselves in believing that running (and visiting) a bar should be a fun experience—fancy glassware and velvet cushions are nice, but being able to let loose after a long day without worrying about dress codes or understanding complicated ingredient recipes or distillation processes is what gives Backdoor Bodega its charm. Despite our extensive cocktail menu, we are still a no-frills high volume cocktail bar that will churn out any classics or customised cocktails that guests request for (hence our extensive back bar with over 100 bottles).
How did you balance aesthetics with functionality when designing the bar layout?
Bar functionality has always been a tricky design aspect for me as I had zero bar experience prior to building Backdoor Bodega (from scratch). However, as Backdoor Bodega started as a tiny 15-seater bar in 2016, I’ve learnt to (re)design the bar into a multi-functional workstation where everything is within an arm’s reach of the bartender—be it glassware, spirits, ice, dishwasher, and also the guests.
What role does lighting play in setting the mood? How do you approach its design?
Backdoor Bodega was designed with the bar as the centre-stage and the bartenders as the performers putting on a show for the audience in the venue. Therefore the lighting at the bar acts as a spotlight of sorts—which also helps with the photography of the cocktails served at the bar, while the rest of the venue falls into a cosy passive shadow lit by the warm glow of table lamps and buzzing neon lights. As the night gets later and the mood gets groovier, we turn down the lighting of the bar and turn up the music for a “boiler room” bar atmosphere—with bartenders in place of DJs, of course.
Bartender Thanesh Joel of Backdoor Bodega (Photo: Backdoor Bodega)
What considerations should go into selecting materials and textures for a bar’s interior?
Easy-cleaning and non-staining materials, definitely. But in terms of aesthetics, anything dark hued is definitely easier on the eyes and to maintain over time. However, the natural lighting of the venue must be taken into consideration as well, and whether or not the bar is open during the day.
Backdoor Bodega only opens at night at 8pm, therefore the maroon and green interior that we chose definitely looks better in the dark than during the day when the sunlight shines into the bar. Given that bars are usually lit by small and warm lighting points, textured surfaces on walls or furniture will give nicer shadows to set the mood.
How do you create a sense of intimacy or exclusivity in larger spaces?
I’m a big fan of booth seating (Backdoor Bodega has five of them!) as it helps fill up big spaces while creating a sense of intimacy and exclusivity for groups even if the bar is crowded. If properly designed, booth seats can blend together seamlessly to maintain privacy without having to sacrifice too much space in the venue.
Our venue is separated into two sections: the main bar area and the secondary zone for better privacy. Each section caters to both group seating and couple seating—the main bar area is brighter and in the midst of the bartending action which encourages conversation between guests and/or bartenders, while the secondary zone is dimly-lit by a neon light and offers a more laid back and intimate atmosphere for guests who want to keep to themselves.
What strategies does this speakeasy bar employ to ensure its atmosphere evolves throughout the evening?
On busy weekends we usually transition from being a cocktail canteen to a cocktail disco, and I say “disco” because of the music selection we play. Depending on the demographic of the guests, we start by queuing popular hits from yesteryears into our playlists to get the guests into a groovy mood, and usually by 11pm we will switch the main lights off to a darker atmosphere and transition the playlist to a sing-along one where we usually get the whole venue together to belt out choruses of guilty-pleasure Top 40 music for a good hour before calling it a night.
In creating the perfect bar vibe, each detail—from the architecture and lighting to the unique ingredients and unexpected themes—comes together to craft an experience that resonates deeply with guests.
Reflecting on his work on Kuala Lumpur’s Bar Mizukami, designer Nyapshin Koh says: “The road to achieving simplicity is the complexity behind it.” It’s a painstaking process of refining, adapting, and elevating each aspect of the space to ensure the design vision flows seamlessly with what looks like effortless simplicity. These are the principles that define Asia’s standout bars—a delicate balance of complexity and simplicity, all in the pursuit of an unforgettable experience.
This story is part of the Tatler Best series, showcasing the finest in Asia across hotels, restaurants and bars. Tatler Best is in partnership with Tumi, Dusit Thani Bangkok, Mastercard, The Macallan and Tourism Authority of Thailand. For more information visit the website media.tatlerasia.com/list/best
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