The Paramount in Aberdeen, owned by the Signature Pub Group, has recently re-opened following a six-week refurbishment that saw an investment of £400,000.
The popular bar and live entertainment venue has been a student staple in the city since 2005 and is now looking more colourful, bolder and slicker than ever. You can tell this project has been a lot of fun for designer Tibbatts Abel who have taken everything the quirky brand is known for and added a real contemporary fun twist to the design.
Adam Tibbatt from Tibbatts Abel explained, “Since our design of the previous generation of Paramount, the thriving city centre bar was geared up for a real revamp. The concept being to invigorate the existing spaces, 
reinforce the early evening offer and further enhance the buzzy atmosphere where guests can lose themselves in the wild and wacky.
“The radical new look features an explosion of light effects, specially created wall murals and eccentric 3D sculptures; that maintain the essence of the beloved hangout. The palette is based on clashing patterns, bold colour and everything maximalism.”
Bold is certainly the word for it and each area has its own distinct look. There is a pink area with a neon 3D effect ocean scene and a shark literally coming out of the wall, a blue area with various silver animal heads protruding and a zebra print and orange area with a wonderful hand painted wall created by a graffiti artist.
There is also a purple area which was previously home to a huge Paramount light-up letter sign which has now been moved to the roof and replaced by a modern wave style art installation. The striking colours are paired with animal print fabrics on the newly upholstered banquette seating with fluted backs.
The seats are leather, but the backs of the booths are covered with differening fabrics which bring life and texture to the areas. There is a clear nod to geometric design through both the lighting and the tables which are hexagonal, round and square shapes.
There are also brightly coloured chesterfield sofas and chairs in blue, green, black and pink and a monochrome statement wallpaper with ferns which adds to the jungle feel. The main bar 
has also been given a makeover and is now covered in metal grating punched with round holes and vertical LED strip lights behind.
These long strips of LED lighting have also been used on the roof and are hung at differing heights and directions creating a layered effect. As well as the LED strip lights, varying striking lights have been used such as strobes, geometric cage pendants and neon for a truly electric feel.
Adam Tibbatt said, “This early evening to late night venue required attention in how to successfully take the environment from one setting to the next, thus encouraging customers to stay into the evening. This being 
managed by intelligently designed lighting and sound systems have also been to accurately control the atmosphere. Other changes include anti-slip resin poured floors which add a psychedelic pattern, further banquette seating which has replaced loose furniture and increased capacity, and even a new bar at the rear of a dancefloor which can also be used for functions.
This new bar has a wonderful Chesterfield front in pink matching it to some of the other furniture. The team have clearly worked hard to keep the identity of Paramount, even with all the eyepopping new additions.
The space has kept the same general layout and some features, such as the 3D elements and knick-knacks which were associated with the brand. However, these have been cleverly refreshed with edgy spray-painted designs.
There is even a silver free-standing mannequin with a disco ball head, a photobooth, UV graphics and 3D infinity dancefloor meaning guests can be truly immersed in the new décor and easily create instagrammable moments.
The new toilets are also a real talking point from the juicy red lipped urinals with ‘ladies spying’ artwork above in the gents, to the double cubicle and theatre style light up mirrors in the ladies. The new look is quirky, tongue in cheek, sexy and I’m sure it will mean Paramount will be the talk of Aberdeen for the foreseeable future.