JJ Acuna / Bespoke Studio turned the Coffeelin Cafe and Bar into a multi-functional space for day and night use with artistic design elements and a variety of seating set against the green backdrop.

Italian café by day, cocktail bar by night, this Milanese-style all-day establishment designed by JJ Acuna / Bespoke Studio brings the coffee culture of Milan to Hong Kong’s quaint and trendy neighbourhood, Happy Valley. The 900 sq. ft. coffee-to-cocktail destination officially opened in June 2021 as the first and sole distributor of the famed Italian GRISO coffee beans in Asia, bringing authentic Milanese-style coffee to Hong Kong. These influences gave the designers the opportunity to reimagine Milan’s history and culture by infusing the space with bespoke hand-made Milanese design elements from local and international artists, amplifying the brand’s GRISO coffee monopoly position. With a narrative concept that marries various design elements of Milan from the 20th century with a refreshing new approach to complement the GRISO coffee variations, snacks and innovative late-night cocktails, Coffeelin is designed to be the new coffee-to-cocktail hub of the neighbourhood.

Its fluid transition from out- to indoor with its dog-friendly al fresco seats, plants and Memphis-style wall paintings, turn the hidden gem into the centrepiece of Happy Valley which is famed for its warm and welcoming flair as well as renown veterinarians. An atmospheric enclave that brings coffee and cocktail enthusiasts together to experience the authentic taste and culture of Milan. Yet it is established for and inspired by its neighbourhood – an ode to Hong Kong’s quaint district of Happy Valley.

The counter-height coffee and cocktail bar marks the heart of the venue with its dark green tiles and antique Memphis-style mirrors with an antique finish that not only reflect vintage Italy but also the customers themselves, and visually extend the space through reflection. Following the stairs that pay homage to Milan’s popular interior design of the ‘20s and ‘30s, the venue offers an intimate private room with more wall paintings and comfortable seating for groups, as well as curtains that add a sense of privacy in particular during cocktail hour. From floor to ceiling, the venue incorporates design elements of Milan’s past and present to create uniquely refreshing yet nostalgic vibes with its patterned marble floor, Milanese tables in hardwood walnut and terrazzo stone top, and factory pendant lights that take inspiration from Milan in the 1960/70s.

Exceptional design highlights also include the custom-made Memphis graphics that create a rhythmic design pattern throughout the space from its facade outside to the walls inside, designed by JJ Acuna / Bespoke Studio and applied by Elsa Jeandedieu Studio together with Venetian plaster finishing on the walls. Hand-painted graphic works further define the space with coffee terms and menu items written on the nostalgic mirrors by local artist Katol Lo, while an exterior timber signage with GRISO’s logo was customized by Hong Kong artist Start-from-Zero.

Design: JJ Acuna / Bespoke Studio Photography: XU Liang Leon

7 Images | expand images for additional detail