A space where contrast becomes continuity and tradition is quietly reinterpreted.

In the heart of Berlin’s Old West, opposite the Theater des Westens, the Delphi cinema and the Savoy Hotel, Bar Zentral is nestled within one of the vaulted railway arches along Kantstraße. Designed by Hidden Fortress, the interior offers a refined take on the classic cocktail bar — grounded in material clarity, spatial precision and subtle shifts in function.

At first glance, the layout seems familiar: a long counter, warm light, tactile materials. But a second look reveals a different logic. The bar is, in fact, a single large table. It runs the full length of the arch, uninterrupted from end to end. Guests and bartenders meet at the same height. There is no separation by level, only a transition of materials. Oak defines the guest side, granite the work surface. Between them lies a thin brass profile that holds trays, movable shelves and small platforms. These can slide along the bar, creating flexible zones for serving, working or presenting.

The back bar avoids the typical display of bottles. Instead, sliding fronts with perforated patterns conceal the shelving behind. The effect is calming and deliberate. Everything is present, yet nothing demands attention. The bar doesn’t impose itself — it invites observation.

At the entrance, a low seating area upholstered in African water buffalo leather provides a soft counterpoint to the stone and wood. At the far end, the counter becomes cantilevered, forming a generous tabletop that seats up to eight guests. Some find themselves behind the bar, reversing the usual roles without theatricality.

Along the opposite wall, a built volume houses the cloakroom, storage and restrooms. Covered in oak veneer below and dark blue lacquer above, it reads more like a large piece of furniture than a technical enclosure. A narrow brass ledge runs at leaning height, creating a subtle pause in the room. Softly recessed light niches provide orientation and encourage informal gathering.

Light plays a central role in shaping the atmosphere. It filters in gently during the day and becomes warmer and more diffuse as the evening progresses. The arched ceiling reflects the glow downward, creating a sense of enclosure that remains open and breathable.

At the threshold to the restrooms, a moment of visual disorientation occurs. A monochrome dazzle pattern breaks the geometry of the room, inspired by early 20th-century naval camouflage. Inside the cabins, pixelated mosaic images are revealed — not always at first glance, but sometimes when viewed through a phone camera. These surfaces play with perception and distance, offering a quiet reference to digital culture and the layering of visual information.

Bar Zentral was designed in collaboration with Collignon Architekten and realised with Majo Ertel, whose craftsmanship defines the physical presence of the space. Oak, granite, brass and leather were chosen not only for their visual qualities but for their ability to age well, gathering patina and memory over time. The result is a space of quiet precision, where form follows use and every gesture is intentional.

Wood work: Majo Ertel
Photos: Hidden Fortress