Club Amis

Wael Khoury

• Architects

Applied products

Tekiò warm-to-dim regulation Santa & Cole

TROOP Wallpaper - Parakeet Green House of Hackney

View all applied products

The latest addition to Rabih Geha Architect’s award-winning portfolio is located in the vibrant heart of Beirut. Club Amis is an immersive, multifaceted venue celebrating the world of Pernod Ricard. Embracing an adaptive reuse approach, the project merges heritage character with contemporary design, transforming the existing structure into a space of discovery. This exclusive club invites guests to journey through Pernod Ricard’s premium spirits while gaining a deeper appreciation for the timeless craft of mixology.

At its core, the space is shaped by two values: Convivialité, a defining pillar of Pernod Ricard’s identity, and Versatility, expressed through a sequence of distinct spaces, each with its own design language and emotional tone. Convivialité comes to life in moments of shared enjoyment over a finely crafted pour, while Versatility is revealed in the spatial transitions, from intimate to expressive, that reflect the multifaceted nature of the brand.

At the heart of the club is the main bar, a central element where design facilitates an immediate and equal relationship between the guest and the bartender, reinforcing a sense of inclusion. From this central point, the experience flows into a series of uniquely designed rooms, each offering a new character and atmosphere. These interconnected yet distinct areas create the illusion of multiple brand worlds within a unified space, a celebration of diversity, learning, and storytelling through design.

Club Amis also features a Mixology Academy, where aspiring professionals learn the art of bartending from industry experts.

1. Concept Development from Location Nestled in the heart of Gemmayzeh, Beirut, the project draws inspiration from the distinctive old Lebanese architecture of this historic neighborhood. Housed in a traditional residential building, the venue’s setting presented both opportunities and constraints for the design.

2. Concept of the Space (Identity) The building’s original structure segmented the interior into multiple smaller spaces, leaving little opportunity for open-plan layouts or major structural alterations. Rather than viewing this as a limitation, we embraced the division to reinforce the concept of versatility and diversity, core to Pernod Ricard’s brand identity of convivialite and bringing people together through varied experiences.

3. Concept Application into Our Story Preserving the historic charm was paramount, particularly the ancient tiling, which we carefully restored and integrated into the design. The resulting concept celebrates “spaces within one entity,” with each room offering a unique atmosphere that together form a cohesive whole. The journey starts at the central bar, the heart of the experience, designed to embody Pernod Ricard’s visual identity and values.

4. Main Features

• Central Bar: The main bar bursts with Pernod Ricard’s signature blue and striped motifs derived from the logo, reinforcing brand recognition. Lighting plays a pivotal role; inspired by the brand’s circular logo symbolizing convivialité, circular light tubes are installed across the ceiling to create rhythm, depth, and a dramatic focal point. Stainless steel displays with amber lighting and fluted glass add contrast and sophistication, tying in the bar’s materials with the overall concept.

• Jameson and Chivas Rooms: Two adjacent mirrored rooms share a common design language yet evoke distinct emotions. Both feature gridded wall displays and mirrored ceilings that create an infinite bottle-filled effect. The Jameson room is painted in green with textured glass displaying bottles behind a blurry effect. It includes a round sofa and premium Bowers & Wilkins speakers paired with vinyls, creating an intimate listening lounge. In contrast, the Chivas room is wrapped in warm wood tones and showcases limited-edition bottles, furnished with comfortable sofas ideal for relaxed conversations.

• Malfy Terrace: Evoking the fresh, summery feel of Malfy Gin, the terrace is enveloped in branded patterned paneling and lush greenery climbing the walls. A U-shaped seating arrangement fosters a cozy, communal atmosphere, while tables inspired by Malfy’s distinctive bottle shape complete the space.

• Washroom: The bathroom features a playful wallpaper by House of Hackney, paying homage to the brand Monkey 47’s character.

• Mixology Academy: In stark contrast to the moody, intimate energy of the club, the Academy is a bold, light-drenched statement space where Absolut Vodka’s unmistakable edge collides with the precision of a high-tech laboratory. It’s a stage for experimentation, where mixology becomes both science and art. Glossy white tiles, punctuated by electric-blue grout, wrap the room in a crisp, almost clinical aesthetic, while individual stations are laid out like lab benches, ready for alchemy. Here, every pour, shake, and stir is an act of invention, pushing the boundaries of how premium spirits are experienced.

5. The Space (Layout) & Material Description

The layout maintains the building’s segmented nature, which allowed us to create distinct experiences within separate rooms while maintaining a cohesive flow. The use of rich, brand-inspired colors, reflective materials like mirrors and stainless steel, textured glass, and carefully preserved historic elements (such as marble flooring and original tiling) form a balanced dialogue between old and new. Lighting design creates continuity and rhythm, visually linking the diverse spaces.

6. Technical Challenges

Refurbishing this heritage building presented several technical hurdles. The architecture restricted structural changes, preventing from knocking down walls to open spaces. HVAC installation required multiple custom solutions since ductwork couldn’t be routed freely due to structural beams concentrated around the central space. Plumbing to the main bar posed a significant challenge, the source was located behind the bathroom, and the distance complicated installation. Preserving the original marble flooring needed meticulous removal and reinstallation of each tile, given their age and fragility. Similarly, electrical wiring had to be carefully planned to minimize drilling and damage to walls, requiring innovative routing strategies to maintain the building’s integrity.