Inspiring Us: The Coolest Restaurant Bathrooms

The Pfeiffer Design team are hard at work preparing concepts for a wealth of new projects we’ve taken on. When it comes to finding inspiration, we all have our go tos. Along with Pinterest (of course), one of our absolute favourite ways to seek inspiration is to check out the bathrooms of our favourite haunts.

Successful restaurateurs know what’s up when it comes to the hottest food trends, but we all know when it comes to dining experience, it’s not just about the food. Interior design plays a huge part in the overall enjoyment of a meal. It sets the mood and ambience, as well as helping diners feel relaxed and comfortable in their surroundings, enabling them to really enjoy and focus on the food. Restaurateur Alan Yau famously designs restaurants from the decor upwards, focusing first on the ambience, lighting and flow within a restaurant and designing the menu last.

And the bathrooms? They’re one of the most important aspects. A chance to make a huge impact in a relatively small space. Plus, they feel a little like a secret club. Coming back from the loo and announcing to your mates that you just ‘have to’ check them out? It’s one of the best parts of discovering a new spot. In terms of design, they’re a great way to seek inspiration. And for a designer, a great way to get your work noticed: #bathroomselfie anyone?

Undoubtedly, one of the most instagramable bathrooms right now can be found within private members’ club, Annabel’s in Mayfair. A cool £55 million refurbishment by Martin Brudnizki (responsible also for the likes of Sexy Fish and The Ivy) has helped this Grade-I Listed Georgian townhouse become the hottest hangout of the year, and the bathrooms definitely don’t disappoint. Gilded swan taps cascading water into shell-shaped rose quartz basins? Yes please.

London hotel restaurants have long been known for some of the world’s most spectacular bathrooms. One of the latest additions to the Soho House family, The Ned, in the heart of The City, plays host to multiple restaurants and, subsequently, multiple powder rooms. The disused Midland Bank building had been empty for nearly eight years before being transformed into a large-scale hotel/dining/retail space, in London’s bustling business district that previously had little in the way of hotels.

Likewise, The Mondrian Hotel on the Southbank offers a seductive and striking interior, under the direction of renowned British interior designer Tom Dixon. The hotel opened in 2014, in a building originally designed as a luxury hotel, although occupied as office space until recently, one of the tenants ‘Sea Containers’ lending the building it’s current title. The opulent interior captures the essence of its original purpose, exuding 1920s cruise ship glamour integrated with the modern twists and sophisticated design for which the Mondrian brand is known.

It’s impossible to discuss restaurant bathrooms without the conversation immediately turning to Sketch. Conduit Street’s sumptuous tea room fit for Marie-Antoinette, plays host to some of London’s most famous latrines. Borrowing their design from sensory deprivation tanks, these vertical, egg-shaped cubicles make use of colour changing LED lights and eerie music – and are often decked out with seasonal touches.

More gilded swan taps (who knew?) can be found at Park Chinois in Mayfair. This high-end Chinese restaurant oozes extravagance, with nightly live entertainment inspired by there glamour of 1930s Shanghai supper clubs and cabarets. The restrooms employ sultry lighting, rich jade and burgundy interior and bright gold accents.

As interior designers, the idea of creating such an impactful space is endlessly exciting. We love working on commercial projects with restaurateurs and hoteliers in order to bring their specific vision to life. Hospitality bathrooms are so much more than an afterthought: they’re a way to broaden and expand upon a running theme within a space, and a way to keep customers talking. In terms of residential design, these bathroom designs are a wonderful way to seek inspiration and incorporate aspects from one of your favourite spaces. In short: we love loos!