Project description
An ode to the golden age of 1930s Shanghai, Yu & Mi is a world of intrigue, glamour, and playful contradiction. Set high above the city, the bar channels a time when Shanghai was Asia’s most cosmopolitan metropolis, a place of jazz clubs, opium dens, clandestine meetings and effortless decadence. Guests sip exotic cocktails to nostalgic soundscapes, momentarily transported to an era where indulgence felt casual and nights unfolded slowly, wrapped in mystery.
Project / clients brief
Create a standalone bar off the main lobby at Level 36 of Mandarin Downtown Dubai Hotel, with a distinct identity separate from the rest of the floor. The space was to feel intimate and concealed, evocative of a speakeasy, yet without directly referencing one - offering discovery at every turn rather than a flashy exhibition.
Concept
Yu & Mi Bar is inspired by the Chinese Art Deco establishments of Shanghai’s Golden Age in the 1930s, drawing on Anglo-Chinese influences that reflect a rich oriental heritage. The design elevates simple, characterful materials into a high-style yet relaxed setting, creating a sense of casual sophistication without sacrificing quality. Conceived as an urban bar rather than a traditional hotel lounge, the space balances vibrancy and restraint through the contrast of bright oriental tones with wood, brick, decorative plaster, lacquer and concrete, all layered with accents of metal, vintage leather & lush velvets to create an environment that feels both elegant and effortlessly atmospheric.
Various design elements
The bar gantry, the focal point of the space upon entering, is reimagined as a dramatic birdcage adorned with period-inspired patterns in rich magenta lacquer, a bold nod to the era's theatrical spirit. Angled brick walls cast playful, shifting shadows across the lounge, animating artwork and creating moments of intrigue. Teal lavastone tiles bring depth and elegance to the bar front, while traditional Chinese cabinetry appears as standalone artefacts, grounding the space in heritage.
The counter adjoining the bar itself references a traditional Chinese apothecary table, a poetic metaphor in which herbs, medicines, and elixirs once mixed now inspire contemporary cocktails.
About the execution & Ambience
Dark, moody and atmospheric, the space balances intimacy with drama. Despite its compact footprint and distinct façade geometry, the design uses angles, verticality and a double-height gantry to amplify presence and spatial richness. Floor finishes shift between dark wood and concrete to create a disjointed streetscape that takes you from place to place.
Material and furniture
The beauty of the design lies in its deliberate layering and juxtaposition, refined, luxurious furnishings set against raw, streetscape-inspired finishes, brought to life through confident, bold colour blocking. Lava stone tiles, angled brickwork and exposed concrete create a grounded, urban base, softened by plush velvets, silks and aged leather. Furniture is carefully curated, combining antique pieces with bespoke designs, reinforcing a narrative that feels collected rather than composed, a reflection of 1930s Shanghai itself, where elegance and grit coexisted in effortless tension.
Team:
Architects: LW Design
Designers: Pooja Shah-Mulani
Photographer: Ingrid Rasmussen
