In the heart of Montreal's vibrant Mile End neighborhood, a temporary bar named Bar Extra has emerged as a stylish social hub during the city's inaugural Design Week. This unique collaboration between culinary studio Menu Extra and local interior design studio Atelier Zébulon Perron has transformed a storefront into an immersive, otherworldly experience. What makes Bar Extra truly captivating is its ability to blend functionality with artistic expression, offering a space where creativity and community converge.
The bar's design is a testament to the power of collaboration. Atelier Zébulon Perron, known for its high-contrast aesthetic, has crafted a space that is both visually striking and inviting. The walls, painted in a dark teal, and the purple carpets create a rich, atmospheric setting. The use of mirrors, embossed with wordmarks and menu items, adds a layer of intrigue, inviting guests to explore the space and discover hidden details. The circular wooden bar, a focal point of the room, is both functional and artistic, with a custom chandelier above it that is a masterpiece in itself.
The chandelier, a collaboration between Atelier Zébulon Perron and local lighting design studio Lambert & Fils, is a work of art. It features mirrors recycled from vintage cabinets, facing outwards, and bands of lights running vertically down towards the bar. This design not only creates a dramatic effect but also serves as a nod to Montreal's industrial heritage. The massive steel structure, installed by Modulor, supports the chandelier, foregrounding the ephemerality of the installation and adding to the sense of place.
What makes Bar Extra truly unique is its ability to engage the senses. The chandelier lights flashing and smoke machines running during the event imbue the space with an otherworldly sense, creating an immersive experience. The banquette under the garage-style window, left open for most of the event, and the tables with white tablecloths and metal seating provide a comfortable setting for guests to relax and enjoy the atmosphere. The food, developed by Menu Extra executive chef Francis Blais, is served on custom anodized aluminum trays designed by local designer Jacob Thompson Boyd, adding to the futuristic, streamlined aesthetic of the space.
Bar Extra is more than just a bar; it's a social center that brings people together. The space is designed to encourage organic gatherings, providing a place for people to linger over a drink, exchange ideas, unwind, and connect. This aligns with Menu Extra's mission to create spaces where creativity and community converge, and it's a testament to the power of design to foster human connection. The reuse of elements, such as the recycled roof of the Montreal Olympic Stadium, also reflects a broader trend in design week exhibitions, where temporary installations explore themes of sustainability and innovation.
In my opinion, Bar Extra is a shining example of how design can be used to create meaningful experiences. The collaboration between Menu Extra and Atelier Zébulon Perron has resulted in a space that is both visually stunning and functionally designed, offering a unique social hub for the creative community. The use of mirrors, the flashing chandelier, and the smoke machines all contribute to the immersive experience, inviting guests to step into another world for a few days. Bar Extra is a testament to the power of design to inspire, engage, and connect people, and it's a space that will undoubtedly leave a lasting impression on those who visit it.
