Beer Bar THE TAP.
Second Floor.

HORECA / 2024

Location
{ About the project }
Area
Status
Project author
LCD “AMIR”, Almaty, Kazakhstan
358 m²
in progress, opening in May 2025
Vasillyadi Marina
Marina, kitchen and bar equipment project by Iglik Dineyhan, logo by Vasillyadi Marina in co-authorship with Khvan Alexander, KM section by Timur, implementation control and kitting by Vasillyadi Marina.
no photo shoot was held
Photographer
Team

Task and starting point:

Our long-time clients leased a two-storey standalone building in a premium residential complex in Almaty. The property was in shell condition, and the idea was to open a beer bar. Each floor measured 136 and 137 sq.m., excluding the staircase.

Our task was to create a venue that could accommodate around 100 guests, while allocating approximately 60 sq.m. for the kitchen and 30 sq.m. for service zones, including a keg room. One of the main challenges was the tight budget and very limited rent-free period — the design had to allow for rapid implementation with minimal costs. The preferred materials were budget-friendly: primarily laminated chipboard (LDSP) and MDF.
The second floor was primarily planned for the kitchen, but we managed to organize it in a way that also allowed for a guest dining area with a striking stained-glass view into the kitchen.
In the 137 sq.m. space, we fit:
  • A 55 sq.m. kitchen with a staff restroom
  • A guest hall with seating for 2, 4, and 8 people
  • A cocktail bar
  • Guest restrooms with three stalls
The second floor accommodates 39 guests. The venue's total capacity across both floors is 115 people. After reconfiguring the layout, the usable area increased by 39 sq.m.
{ Planning }

About the Finishing of the Bar Halls:

A three-flight staircase leads to the upper floor. We embraced the raw aesthetic of the concrete stairs by finishing them with microcement in a natural concrete tone. The concrete walls were sealed with clear lacquer, while the foam block partitions were painted a shade of grey almost identical to their original look.
Stained-glass openings were highlighted with glossy dark veneer MDF panels. Under the beam, we arranged beer kegs with integrated lighting. Existing chrome handrails were preserved and extended with continuous LDSP panel rails along the stair walls, also with integrated lighting.
A plasterboard partition on the landing was decorated with triangular 3D panels. A standout feature of the stairwell is a chaotic garland of tin beer cans and a hanging sign that can be seen from the street — adding character and attracting attention.
In the center of the hall, guests are welcomed by two large sofas for groups of 8, flanked by statement floor lamps. Behind them is a service station for waiters with menu storage.

Along the glass wall, double sofas are paired with matte ribbed glass screens and upholstered in a mix of brown and black eco-leather. Above the tables float custom-made fringe lampshades, with matching fringe details featured in doorways and the boudoir.

Bathrooms:

In the boudoir, the bold black-and-white checkerboard tiles are balanced by a floating vanity with dark glossy wood veneer and sleek sinks.

The corridor with three toilet stalls includes a technical cabinet for water meters and supplies, which we turned into a design element using a beer can panel with contour lighting.

Inside the stalls, we created custom wall panels made from beer bottle caps — similar to those on the first floor, but in terracotta-orange tones to match the stall walls.

Process:

In terms of renovation work, this is one of our most technologically simple projects. We did not pay much attention to the finishing of walls, floors and ceilings and focused on furniture and lighting design and decoration. Otherwise - painting walls, sealing concrete surfaces in matte varnish, building partitions, laying tiles - simple tasks. The renovation was carried out with full author's support, including kitting. For the first 2 months was completed 90%, and most of the purchases came in the 1st month.
Due to the limited budget it was decided to divide the implementation into several stages to the technical opening, all significant works, and to the official all decorative and additional elements of interiors and exteriors. We optimized in the process of repairing the costs of certain materials and technologies in compliance with the budget and deadlines.

It was a great rich and interesting process, which is not finished yet. Soon the facility will open its doors for guests, and we will all appreciate the result of our joint efforts.

The design of the first floor was described here.