Located in a former East India Trading Company warehouse within Devonshire Square, the newly refurbished Anise Bar represents a thoughtful evolution of London’s hospitality landscape. Local interior practice A-nrd has transformed the 60-seat cocktail lounge into a sensory extension of the acclaimed Cinnamon Kitchen, moving away from clinical modernity toward a layered, atmospheric environment. Drawing on the chromatic language of Indian cuisine, the design team has utilized a palette of spices—sumac, saffron, and cumin—to redefine the space through tonal depth and textural warmth.
A sustainable approach to luxury anchors the project’s DNA, with founder Alessio Nardi prioritizing the creative repurposing of existing features to minimize environmental impact. Rather than stripping the interior, A-nrd retained the original marble-clad bar, softening its presence with a new dark oak countertop and embellished orange and green terrazzo tiles. This philosophy of “valorizing the existing” is a signature of the studio, reminiscent of how they previously harmonized industrial heritage with contemporary elegance at the Canal restaurant in Westbourne Park. By maintaining the warehouse’s original encaustic floor tiles and spatial structure, the intervention feels less like a renovation and more like a soulful restoration.
The central visual narrative is dominated by a dramatic, suspended curtain perimeter crafted from deep green velvet by Harrison Cropper. This element serves a dual purpose: it conceals existing shelving while introducing a rhythmic softness that tempers the bar’s monolithic weight. Within this velvet canopy, bespoke marquetry artwork by Chelsea Vivash—made from off-cut veneers—celebrates high-level craftsmanship and material reuse. The lighting further enhances this sense of intimacy, as rattan pendants from Abigail Ahern diffuse low light across the silver-grey marble tabletops, creating a play of shadows that rewards long-duration lingering.
Materiality and comfort define the lounge areas, where A-nrd has designed custom low perimeter seating to create distinct “zones of pause”. The banquettes, crafted in dark oak with deep curved bases, are upholstered in tarragon-toned leather and a cumin-colored geometric check by Casamance. These warm, spice-informed tones are mirrored on the walls, which feature a dual Bauwerk limewash in sumac and muted saffron. Every detail, from the green glazed ceramic lamps by Lights & Lamps to the cylindrical velvet cushions, is scaled to encourage guests to settle into the space.
Cultural storytelling is woven into the interior through subtle, personal touches rather than overt thematic displays. Authentic Indian ceramic figurines, collected by Chef Vivek Singh during his travels, are integrated into the scheme to offer moments of discovery. Along the windows, poseur tables have been reimagined with new marble tops and soft pleated linen ceiling lamps, transforming what were once transitional edge spaces into inviting seating areas. This layering of history—both the warehouse’s maritime past and the chef’s personal journey—gives Anise a unique sense of place within the City of London.
The resulting atmosphere is one of restrained sophistication, where the boundary between the bar and the restaurant is blurred through texture and detail. By working with what was already there and balancing it with rich timber, leather, and velvet, A-nrd has created a venue that feels both intimate and familiar. Anise stands as a testament to the idea that sustainable design does not require a compromise on luxury; instead, it provides a richer, more meaningful foundation for contemporary hospitality.