ZLB23: Designing an Immersive Speakeasy at The Leela Palace
Stepping into ZLB23 is like leaving modern Bengaluru behind. We designed this Leela Palace speakeasy to unfold slowly, using rich textures and a hidden, jazz-age narrative to create a sensory escape.
The "Vault" is the first room guests enter from a service elevator. This dramatic, all-red space features vintage chandeliers and private liquor lockers, immediately setting a secretive and exclusive tone for the speakeasy experience.
The foyer of the ZLB23 speakeasy, where deep red walls and a plush velvet armchair create an atmosphere of vintage luxury. The design guides guests through a series of unfolding spaces, building anticipation.
The foyer of the ZLB23 speakeasy, where deep red walls and a plush velvet armchair create an atmosphere of vintage luxury. The design guides guests through a series of unfolding spaces, building anticipation.
Heavy, tasseled velvet drapery conceals the entrance to the main bar, adding to the mystery. This detail is reminiscent of the 1920s flapper era, enhancing the narrative of a hidden, prohibition-style bar.
A custom-designed lamp with a fringed, black patterned shade stands against the rich red wall. This diptych highlights the moody lighting and intimate details that contribute to the bar's sophisticated, old-fashioned vibe.
A custom-designed lamp with a fringed, black patterned shade stands against the rich red wall. This diptych highlights the moody lighting and intimate details that contribute to the bar's sophisticated, old-fashioned vibe.
About Project Spotlight: ZLB23 Speakeasy
For this project, the primary challenge wasn't just aesthetics—it was about how to 'unfold' the space. We designed the entry through a service elevator into what we call the Vault to immediately disorient guests from the hotel environment. By controlling the lighting and using heavy, sound-absorbing velvet, we ensured that the moment you step inside, the outside world simply disappears.
The Mechanics of Mood
Designing a speakeasy requires a departure from standard hospitality layouts. When we take on bar or restaurant projects, we look at the flow of a guest's experience from the moment they arrive. At ZLB23, the goal was intimacy. We wanted the space to feel like a secret that the guest has been invited to discover.
Crafting the Sensory Experience
We worked with specific, high-tactile materials to build the narrative. The rich burgundy walls and vintage chandeliers aren't just for decoration; they create a low-lux, enveloping environment that encourages hushed conversation. The velvet drapery serves a double purpose: it physically separates the 'unfolding' zones of the bar while providing the acoustic dampening necessary for a high-end jazz-focused venue.
Why Narrative Matters in Commercial Design
We often see spaces that feel generic because they lack a strong core concept. For ZLB23, the Kyoto-inspired influence merged with a 1920s prohibition style allowed us to guide every detail—from the placement of the private liquor lockers to the custom lighting that highlights textures rather than illuminating the entire room.
Whether you are planning a boutique hotel, a high-volume microbrewery, or an intimate speakeasy, the process remains the same for our team. We don't just pick furniture. We look at the footprint, the acoustics, the service flow, and the story the venue needs to tell. If you are looking to create a space that feels like it has been there for decades rather than one that was just built, we should talk.
Maia Design Studio
At Maia, we don't just fill floor plans. Whether it is a cozy speakeasy or a sprawling brewery, we are obsessed with the 'why' behind a space. My team and I believe that if the design doesn't tell a story, it is just furniture.
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