The Rio Cinema

Lozi Designs

MaterialFaux Translucent Stone

BAR INSPIRED BY CULT FILM THE SHINING OPENS AT THE RIO CINEMA.
Sponsored and created by local design studio Lozi

Lozi has created a new bar, inspired by cult film The Shining, for the iconic Rio Cinema in East London. Made from sustainable materials, it is part of Lozi’s sponsorship of the RIO-Generation campaign to restore the Art Deco cinema.

Named the Ludski Bar after the Rio’s founder, it opened on the 22nd of May 2019, to coincide with the Rio’s 40th Birthday celebrations. This new bar is part of the ongoing RIO-generation plans for the cinema, which have seen extensive renovation work done to the outside of the building and the addition of a second screen adjacent to the Ludski bar, in a bid to restore the iconic Art Deco picture palace to its former glory.

Lozi's founder Soroush Pourhashemi said “Going to the Rio was one of my earliest memories when I first came to London for my Masters back in 2011, so when I saw the fundraising film for RIO-generation I jumped at the opportunity to help and offered to sponsor any interior design they might need. It seemed like the perfect fit; two local businesses focused on art and sustainability, an opportunity to give back to the local community and a chance to design in a different way, with a different inspiration, to our usual residential projects”.

Entirely done at material cost, the Ludski bar fuses the Rio’s cinematic history with Lozi’s signature minimalist aesthetic to create an elegant modern space with a focus on environmentally friendly practices. Designed, made and installed by Lozi’s team of makers from their local Work/Shop on Hackney Road, London E2, this bar brings the cinema’s rich heritage to life.

The design is inspired by the Gold Room from The Shining - the vast golden Art Deco ballroom Jack Nicholson’s character retreats to in his descent into madness. Recreating the film’s backlit bar with wood veneers and compact acrylic designed to mimic translucent marble, Lozi added their signature curved detailing to reflect the Art Deco architecture of the cinema itself, creating a space that is deeply sympathetic to its surroundings, a piece of cinema brought to life.
Cult film posters from the Rio’s extensive archive grace the walls and original fixtures, such as “queue here” signs and re-upholstered seating, continue the modern cinema theme. Some of Lozi’s signature pieces have been given a cinematic twist, like adding shadowed film reels to their translucent Sunset Lamp. In a final ode to Jack Nicholson, the Ludski bar will offer an extensive selection of specialist Whiskies.

Lozi continues to evolve its environmentally friendly practice throughout this space. Sustainable plywood from FSC registered sources is used as standard and the floor is made from phthalate-free eco-concrete vinyl. The Ludski bar will have a no single-use plastics policy and many of the drinks and spirits available will be from small and local breweries and distilleries.

Oliver Meek, Executive Director of the Rio, said: “Our second screen has been remarkably successful, achieving over 18,000 admissions in its first year. The addition of the Ludski bar will complete the transformation of our basement, from an unused space to a thriving boutique cinema and bar.
Working with Lozi on this build has been a real pleasure. Their passion for the design and heritage of the building was obvious from the start and they have created something both beautiful and functional, which is completely in keeping with the aesthetic of the cinema. “