Team appointed to deliver innovative Design for Hyde Out

Hyde Out style bar Press releases

Story of style bar’s transformation told with the help of pub and restaurant PR experts

Pub and restaurant PR photo of bar deisgner, Kakay Li, who led the proect to create new style bar, Hyde Out

WORK has begun to bring to life the unique design concept of Edinburghs newest bar and restaurant veny, Hyde Out.

L.A. White Leisure has commissioned Edinburgh based architecture and interior design team KBAD Ltd. to design a new, funky, fresh interior for professionals and locals in the up and coming Edinburgh Quay area.

The site, formerly home to the bar Embark, is set to be transformed over the next six weeks into what is hoped to be one of the most innovative new style bars that Edinburgh has to offer.


The gallery below shows how the site looked as Embark, before its transformation. Read on for more details on the makeover and the design team behind it.


The design of Hyde Out will feature strong contrasts of colours, and vibrant bespoke graphics, fused with an eclectic and elegant mix of furniture to help create a cool urban setting, enhanced by a series of exclusive fixtures and fittings.

Some features that customers can look forward to include a new Timorous Beasties Edinburgh Toile vinyl wall covering, and a bespoke handmade chandelier consisting of 600 crystal cut glasses by designer John Harrington.

Another exclusive feature is the Corian clad ground floor bar featuring stunning routered artwork designed by Edinburgh based graphic designers 16K Design Works. The bar will then be back illuminated with colour changing LED lights creating a glowing decorative effect.

Pub and restaurant PR photo of bar deisgner, Kakay Li, who led the proect to create new style bar, Hyde OutKakay Li, Senior Associate Designer at KBAD Ltd. and lead designer on the Hyde Out project, said: “I have been looking for a dream project like this for some time – a chance to really get creative and step away from the ordinary.

“Hyde Out’s concept is young and funky and we have really gone to town with that in the designs, which reflect the vibrancy and colour of the younger crowd the bar is seeking to attract.

“Rory and Rowan have given us free reign to come up with some fresh and innovative ideas, pushing the boundaries to ensure that the design remains unique compared with other bars in Edinburgh.


Disctinctive artwork at Hyde Out captured in pub and restaurant PR photosTo see the stunning final results of the makeover check this Hyde Out gallery of images. And to see the amazing and bespoke chandelier created from 600 wine and champagne glasses, visit this gallery


“The final concept is somewhat different than the original one we submitted and through collaboration with Rory and Rowan we have built a fun and quirky design that fits perfectly.

“What’s great is that it is still a work in progress and the design is constantly changing and improving as we go along.

“This is the best part of the process – when work begins. There is nothing more exciting than seeing your designs leap off the page and come to life.”

Pub and restaurant PR photo of bar deisgner, Kakay Li, who led the proect to create new style bar, Hyde OutOriginally a graduate in Social Anthropology from the University of Edinburgh, 29 year old Kakay went on to further study for a HND in interior design at Newcastle College.

Kakay earned her stripes at architectural design firm 3DReid before joining the team at KBAD Ltd. in 2006 and now has over five years experience under her belt. She has recently worked on other award winning projects, such as Voodoo Rooms, GHQ, and the Antico bar at Orocco Pier in South Queensferry, which won best designed bar at the DRAM Awards 2010.

Kakay added: “L.A. White have been great to work for. They are relaxed and open when it comes to the design and what they want which makes for a great working relationship.

“They aren’t afraid to come straight out with any ideas they may have – no matter how crazy they are. It’s been fun working with them and most of the time it feels like you’re working with friends rather than a client.”

Director Rory McWhirter said: “We are extremely pleased with the design that KBAD has produced. They understood from the outset what we wanted, and have perfectly reflected our concept of a bar that provides a refuge for style.

“Some of the features are a bit out there, but that is exactly what we wanted, a design like no other for a bar like no other.”

Work is currently under way at the site and completion looks set for the beginning of November.

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