NOLA BAR

UNPARALLELED AND PASSIONATE, WITH ART DECO ELEMENTS

When you settle down at Bar Nola, you'll find yourself immersed in the atmosphere of a passionate French bistro with art deco elements – a warm, inviting place that continuously leaves you wanting more. The carefully considered design creates a sense of both intimacy and openness, encouraging you to experience this establishment again and again. Here, good conversations mingle with conviviality and music, in a setting unlike any other in Maastricht.

OUTSIDE THE LINES | SENSORY STIMULATION

Hans Kuijten of Studio Hans Kuijten is used to thinking outside the box. Beyond the conventional boundaries, there's room for a play of contours, patterns, light, and curves. This is perfectly exemplified in Bar Nola in Maastricht, commissioned by owners Tom Hamaekers and Ricky Quaaden. Hans explains: "We wanted to take the client along on the complete story we wanted to tell with the interior." The combination of interior design and kitchen design was crucial.

FUNCTIONALITY | THEATER OF GOOD CONVERSATIONS

Bar Nola isn't large, yet it feels both cozy and spacious. “It's over one hundred square meters. This led us to our design choice of a bar in the center with all the chairs and seating areas arranged in different corners around it. It's a kind of theater. The bar itself is theatrical, and you can also sit at the bar and eat. We designed every square centimeter and carefully selected the materials, focusing on both aesthetics and functionality.” The fully equipped kitchen is located upstairs, out of sight. A lift, cleverly integrated into the bar design, transports all the food and dishes up and down. This efficient and elegant solution ensures smooth service. And since everyone is seated at or around the bar, the food is served quickly. Both French and Asian cuisine are passionately represented on the menu by Chef Hein de Coo.

The restrooms are located one floor down, but the design of the staircase and the downstairs areas is equally impressive in terms of design and efficiency. Despite the layout, which takes into account the compact space and therefore brings guests closer together, Nola is an excellent place for having in-depth conversations. “The ceiling is completely soundproofed. And all the materials we have used are conducive to good acoustics, including the fabrics on the chairs and sofas, but also the spatial elements. The room dividers break up the sound,” says Hans. If people want to dance later in the evening, the chairs can be moved aside and the volume can be turned up.