Following our work on Vieni, 2G was delighted to partner with the award-winning team at Passing Fancies for their high-profile relocation. Moving from their original home in Digbeth to the flagship Goods Yard development, the project involved transforming a blank-canvas commercial unit into a sophisticated, two-story cocktail destination.
The brief
Passing Fancies is a brand built on craft and reputation. The brief was to translate their award-winning mixology concept into a larger, more permanent home within a major new-build development. The space needed to house two bespoke cocktail bars, a full-service kitchen, and a dedicated “drinks lab” for menu development. Crucially, the atmosphere had to remain intimate and “loungey,” despite being situated within a modern, 500-unit build-to-rent scheme.
The challenge
Relocating an established brand requires a delicate balance of evolution and continuity. Key challenges included:
- Maximising Value: Creating a high-impact, two-floor hospitality space on a slim budget.
- Atmospheric Control: Softening the “shell and core” feel of a new-build development to achieve a low-lit, intimate lounge vibe.
- Technical Complexity: Integrating a bespoke drinks lab, a precision environment for the bar’s cocktail R&D, alongside a commercial kitchen and two separate bar service areas.
- Urban Context: Designing for a high-density environment (over 500 residential units and 30 commercial units) where the bar needed to serve as both a local “living room” and a city-wide destination.
The solution
Our approach focused on high-impact joinery and lighting to create a “built-in” sense of character:
- Bespoke Joinery: To navigate the budget effectively, we focused on custom-built elements that provided the most visual and functional value. The bespoke cocktail bars and integrated lounge seating were designed to feel permanent and premium, anchoring the identity of the space.
- The Drinks Lab: We designed a specialised zone that balances clinical precision with the bar’s aesthetic, allowing the team to continue their award-winning experimentation in a professional-grade environment.
- Lighting as Architecture: With a “loungey” feel as the priority, we moved away from generic commercial lighting. We used a layered, low-level lighting scheme to define zones and create a sense of evening warmth that contrasts with the contemporary development outside.
- Dual-Level Flow: The two-floor layout was carefully planned to ensure staff efficiency between the kitchen, the lab, and the two bars, ensuring the high-quality service Passing Fancies is known for could scale with their new footprint.
As our second completed unit in The Goods Yard, Passing Fancies stands as a testament to 2G’s ability to deliver character-rich, technically demanding hospitality interiors within the constraints of modern commercial developments.
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