Located in the vibrant heart of Vancouver, Bagheera is not just a bar; it is a true journey through time and space, transporting its visitors into an atmosphere of luxury and adventure. Designed by the London-based studio Bergman Design House, co-founded by Marie Soliman and Albin Berglund, Bagheera features a design that combines Indian and French references from the 19th and 20th centuries.
The spaces, characterized by a mix of rich velvets, dark hardwoods, and gold detailing, are designed to embody lux and excess, reflecting the jungle theme in a sensual and elegant way, evoking the majesty of Kipling's black panther.
Entering Bagheera is not straightforward: to grant access to the bar, it is necessary to step into a horse betting shop called Happy Valley Turf Club and place a bet on “King Louie.” These words are the magical key to enter the venue. Inspired by the false storefronts and secret passwords of speakeasies in Shanghai and Hong Kong, this mysterious access adds a touch of intrigue and adventure to the bar experience.
Marie Soliman describes Bagheera as "an experience that feels like travelling back in time, searching and hunting for a treasure." The sumptuous 60-seats cocktail lounge is decorated in hues of gold, deep red, teal, and imperial purple, and sparkles with over 1,000 antique coins and bangles from the bazaars of Delhi and Jaipur. This space, reminiscent of an elegant train carriage, offers a spectacular visual and sensory experience.
The true main character of the space is the 42-foot bar clad in hand-carved reclaimed teak frontage with an illuminated bar top and a backsplash of polished tiger blue onyx. On the opposite side, a hand-painted jungle mural guides visitors to a semi-private room adorned with real bohemian curios in bronze and brass. Among the curiosities, the works of the artist Blase stand out, playfully superimpose modern commercialism onto Gothic period canvases, adding a touch of irony and modernity to the historical context.
In addition to offering a unique visual and sensory experience, Bagheera also delights the palate with cocktails inspired by Kipling's works, such as the “Man’s Red Flower” with saffron-infused gin and “The Anvil” with cinnamon tincture. The menu, curated by chef Phong Vo, features to-share dishes like Carrot Daal and Goan Tamarind Fish Curry, accompanied by a variety of pakoras with meat, fish, vegetarian, and vegan fillings.
Bagheera represents a meeting point between past and present, between distant cultures, creating a place where ultimate luxury and adventure blend into an unforgettable experience. In this speakeasy, time seems to stand still, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in its theatrical and dreamy atmosphere and embark on a unique sensory adventure.
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Location: Vancouver, Canada
Interior Design: Bergman Design House
Photography by Kyrani Kanavaros, courtesy of Bergman Design House