Pink plywood and exposed insulation combine in this monochromatic Sydney bar, designed by local architecture firm Akin Atelier to evoke the cozy atmosphere of mid-century Tokyo bars.
Akin Atelier founder Kelvin Ho designed the JAM Record Bar for Justin Hemmes, CEO of hospitality group Merivale, who also ran the record label JAM Recordings.
A passion project for Hemmes and his sister Bettina, the bar was named after their parents John and Merivale, who used the JAM label for several ventures alongside their successful hospitality business.
The idea for the bar came from a trip to Japan taken by Hemmes and Ho, where the duo enjoyed experiencing the atmosphere of Tokyo’s iconic music bars.
“We wanted to create an environment that was engaging and fun,” said Ho, who has worked with Merivale for more than 15 years on around 20 projects.
“Justin and I had some really fun trips to Tokyo exploring lots of bars and clubs,” he told Dezeen. “The commitment to design and concept was what we loved about Japan and JAM was an opportunity to put our own spin on that idea.”
Located on the corner of George Street in the city’s central business district, the compact 80 square meter space seats 45 people and houses a collection of 15,000 vinyl records, as well as a DJ booth.
The unit was previously occupied by a retail store and has large windows overlooking the adjacent streets. Along with outdoor seating, the corner windows help create a strong connection with the surroundings.
Despite the small size of the space, Ho and his team created distinct zones organized around a central bar.
At the back, an area with low seating creates an intimate, lounge-like atmosphere, while the main bar area features high stools and standing space.
Ho described the decor as “simple and analog, but also refined,” explaining that this was achieved using a palette of basic materials including cork, plywood and off-the-shelf insulation.
“These are all familiar and accessible materials, but we use them in a more elevated way through detail and composition.”
The distinctive colour of the JAM Record Bar was motivated by a specific choice of material made by Akin Atelier to enhance the acoustic properties of the space.
Pink fibreglass insulation panels from New Zealand company Pink Batts are left exposed within the ceiling structure rather than being hidden behind plasterboard.
“We loved the pink color of the insulation, which inspired the pink plywood and a total commitment to color throughout the project,” said Ho.
“The JAM is designed to make it feel like you’re drinking a cocktail inside a giant speaker, only pink.”
The pink hue is applied to the ceiling, walls and throughout the custom-made plywood joinery, including the bar, record library and geometric benches that are used both indoors and out.
The space gains a retro touch through the selection of vintage lamps and objects, selected by Merivale’s style director, Bettina Hemmes, and design director, Nasim Koerting.
Neon signs in the windows nod to the bar’s Japanese inspiration, while mid-century-style details, like the entrance with its circular window grille, evoke the golden age of vinyl in the 1950s and ’60s.
JAM Record Bar offers a menu of Japanese-inspired snacks developed by chef Michael Fox from Merivale’s Sushi E restaurant, and drinks crafted by the company’s creative cocktail leader, James Irvine.
Kelvin Ho founded Akin Atelier in 2005 after studying at the University of Sydney.
The studio’s multidisciplinary output combines architecture and interior design, with previous projects including a Sydney retail space featuring curved resin walls and a Melbourne womenswear store featuring a tactile material palette.
Photography by Tim Salisbury.
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