Black Rock lands in China with this beautiful new Whiskey Bar. With the help of hcreates interior design this space has become an instant Shanghai hit.
CLIENT
LEAD DESIGNER
Hannah Churchill
DESIGN TEAM
Alex Davies and Yicheng Zeng
PHOTOGRAPHY
Brian Chua and Graeme Kennedy
The design needed to translate Black Rock’s approach to whisky into a space that felt distinctive without becoming intimidating. The 70-square-metre site was small and unassuming, so the interior also had to create a strong sense of arrival, atmosphere and discovery while supporting tasting, cocktails, lounge seating and a more private VIP area.
The finished space makes whisky itself the focus. Product, ritual and social interaction are built into the plan, and the central log becomes both functional equipment and a piece of theatre. The dark palette and warm glow give the room a relaxed intimacy, allowing Black Rock to feel elevated without becoming formal — an accessible setting for tasting, discovery and conversation.
A simple black façade and strips of filtered light create a quiet threshold before the room opens into a dark, amber-lit interior. The tree-trunk table organises the space: two channels cut into the log are lined with American Oak and French Limousin Oak, each holding 21 litres of whisky served directly from taps at the end. Guests can taste at the communal table or order highballs and cocktails from the open bar opposite. Dark textured surfaces, brass, leather and custom lighting create contrast, while subtle oak references connect back to the ageing process. Two lounge areas, a street-facing terrace and a raised VIP section offer different levels of intimacy.
EXPLORE MORE
THE BROKEN DAGGER
Shanghai
THE RIFF
Hong Kong
ZODIAC
Shanghai
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