Nestled in the heart of Kyiv, Ukraine, this hotel bar, crafted by the talented Nastia Mirzoyan, boasts walls adorned with plywood panels and a striking green latticed ceiling, all designed to enhance the acoustics. Bursa Bar, which opened its doors earlier this year in the historic Podil district, occupies the first floor of the boutique Bursa Hotel. Spanning 55 square meters, this cocktail haven is envisioned by Mirzoyan Studio‘s founder as a sanctuary for music aficionados, aiming to draw in “vinyl record enthusiasts and live-set lovers every weekend.”
“The architect’s vision was to evoke the essence of a musical instrument, allowing every guest to feel enveloped in a colossal music speaker or guitar, all while basking in the warm ambiance of plywood,” the design team explained. The interior features dark-stained plywood, paying homage to modern Japanese aesthetics.
This material creates a harmonious arrangement of wall panels, minimalist bench seating, and shelves that elegantly display liquor bottles and vinyl records. A grid of wooden boards forms a coffered ceiling that not only dampens sound but also prevents noise from reaching the guest rooms above, enhancing the overall experience.
While the ceiling height is lowered, it cleverly conceals lighting and ventilation systems, fostering a more intimate vibe within the bar. “In our design, we sought to subtly weave in elements of Eastern style: straight lines, clean forms, a horizontal layout of objects, a vertical rhythm in the walls, and an orthogonal ceiling,” Mirzoyan shared.
The furniture, featuring sleek stainless steel legs, is strategically placed along the edges of the rectangular space, with the bar and its accompanying stools on one side, and a series of small high-top tables lining the built-in bench on the opposite side.
Directly in front of the entrance stands a DJ booth, skillfully constructed from plywood, where an impressive collection of vinyl records is neatly organized behind it.
The heart of the venue is dedicated to a spacious dance floor, inviting guests to sway and groove to the vibrant beats emanating from the Ojas speakers. The bar counter boasts a striking facade adorned with relief tiles in shades of ochre, white, and a deep forest green, harmonizing beautifully with the ceiling and the iconic Flowerpot lamps by Verner Panton, which cast a warm glow over select tables.
Additional seating options are available at sleek stainless steel counters nestled in the window alcoves flanking the entrance. The lighting design is entirely customizable, allowing for varied moods throughout the different sections of the room.
“We’ve integrated accent lighting in the seating areas to create intimate, bright spots, while soft linear lighting highlights the vinyl shelves and our exquisite drink offerings,” Mirzoyan explained. “This approach ensures that every guest feels uniquely valued.”