Brasserie and Bar Meet at MARGO and Kyle & Bain

Designed by Myron Kwan of M.R. Studio, MARGO and Kyle & Bain come as an elegant pair of brasserie-style eatery and martini bar that nods to elements of the city’s history

MARGO’s brightly lit glass facade on Central’s Ice House street is a promising first impression of the new Hong Kong brasserie-and-bar duo inside. Spanning 230 square metres over two levels are MARGO, a modern European brasserie and, on the restaurant’s mezzanine floor, martini bar Kyle & Bain. The two spaces are distinct, yet naturally coherent thanks to their smart design. ‘The concept of bringing two F&B experiences into one location actually came from the client. He wanted guests to be able to enjoy a drink right after having a good meal,’ says Myron Kwan, founder of M.R. Studio, who undertook the project for hospitality group Leading Nation. ‘Our main intention was thus to create a connection between the brasserie and the bar.’

On the ground floor, MARGO’s plush, pink interiors are characterised by plenty of timber, with pink velvet banquettes, terrazzo table tops and plant installations adding lively details. Those acquainted with Leading Nation’s popular Hong Kong cafe brand Elephant Grounds will recognise similarities between the two — an intentional move to create a sense of familiarity for customers.

Up a wooden staircase, MARGO’s bright and casual setting gives way to Kyle & Bain’s more intimate and subdued atmosphere. Taking its name from Scottish engineers William Kyle and John Bain who established Hong Kong’s first ice plant in the 1870s on the building’s very site, the martini bar was designed with this reference in mind. ‘We wanted to create an iconic space that’s related to the history of the location,’ Kwan explains. ‘So the bespoke bubble glass lights, for example, are inspired by ice cubes — the final product of the ice plant.’

While the wooden elements create subtle continuity with MARGO, Kyle & Bain has a more muted, lavish feel. ‘We chose dark oak wood for the bar, because we wanted that darker, moody atmosphere,’ the designer says. Creating a curved canopy above the bar are large symmetrical mirrors that resemble shattered ice, while below, custom velvet bar stools and banquettes and dark marble tables instill a sense of sophistication.

Drawing inspiration from the location’s history and from his client’s existing projects, Kwan has created a dual space that keeps its first promise: a modern, refined and elegant experience that calls for a second drink.

Text / Nina Milhaud
Images / Steven Ko