tiny cup premium cocktail bar interior completed by hidden fortress

tiny cup premium cocktail bar interior completed by hidden fortress
all images courtesy of hidden fortress

‘seven swans and the tiny cup’ is a microscopic cocktail bar tucked away in frankfurt, germany’s narrowest building. attractor of drink connoisseurs, night lifers, and foodies — the tavern shares its foyers with the famous seven swans restaurant — it is also an excellent example of compact, well-considered interior design. completed by berlin-based studio hidden fortress, the space is comfortable and spacious despite its size.

main room with bar counter 

starting from the street, the ‘tiny cup’ — fitting name — has a bold entrance that brings attention to the otherwise understated entrance. completed in collaboration with artist holmer schleyerbach, the front is covered in fragile depictions of swans etched into massive brass plates. a small horizontal window looks onto the bar keep’s supplies, giving passersby a quick glimpse at what’s occurring inside.

‘seven swans and the tiny cup’ owner sven riebel — right — with principal bartender

the interior is subdivided into two areas: a 17m² main room on the ground floor, and a slightly smaller bottle cellar/private drinking room of 15m² one level beneath. through the front door, guests are greeted by an intimate palette of black and gold across a range of surfaces and materials. the bar is the principle detail, and is carefully constructed to define the space without dominating it.

main room with engraved wall art 

two huge wooden panels — found on location pre-renovations — are located opposite the counter, repeating a similar engraved-swan dialogue as schleyerbach’s work outside. throughout the small room is an eclectic collection of furniture, each piece chosen specifically in relation to its neighbors and chosen location. between the bar, a secondary upholstered bench seating area, and a stand-up zone with drink shelves beneath the wooden panels, the area provides amble space for up to 15 guests.

intimate cellar space, level -1 

seen from the bartender’s side, the main room is a mini technical paradise. though there’s only room for one, the plethora of tools should eradicate the need for anyone else. included, within reach by a single spot of 1m2, is: fully stocked alcohol shelving, automated glass washer, two refrigerators, and two ice boxes (one for ice, one for chilling glasses). should supplies run out amidst a saturday night rush, a runner can quickly reach reserves in the basement bottle shelter.

private room with display cases and chiller

downstairs, the cellar is defined by rough stone walls retained by hidden fortress during renovations. they create an atmosphere slightly different from the main room above, made clearer still through the space’s massive oak table. a total of eight guests — seated — can share the private room. alongside, a 4m long sideboard displays the loftier choices of the ‘tiny cup’ alcohol selection; all of which are available on request. ‘seven swans and the tiny cup’ is the second micro-bar completed by hidden fortress, and like the first breaks pre-conceived notions of what, and how big, a successful space can be. 

project info:

task: interior design for  seven swans & the tiny cup
designer: hidden fortress
carpenter: andreas richter
window screen art: holmer schleyerbach
area: 17m² (ground floor), 15m² (cellar)
completion: april 2015

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: nick brink | designboom