A Nostalgic Underground Hideaway from Two Mixology Visionaries, with Matt Kelly of Make Design Studios Shaping the Interior Where Cocktails and Vinyl Collide in a Timeless Space.

Press Club, a hidden gem nestled in Dupont Circle, Washington D.C., offers guests a sensory journey like no other. Combining the ambiance of a 1970s cocktail lounge with the gritty, nostalgic charm of a 1990s record shop, this underground venue is redefining the bar experience. Founded by mixologists Will Patton and Devin Kennedy, the vision was clear: create an intimate, immersive space where music, cocktails, and atmosphere come together in perfect harmony. Behind Bars collaborated with Make Design Studios to bring this vision to life, designing a bar station - Paloma system - that seamlessly integrates with the unique character of the venue.

Designing to the Beat

The creative force behind the project, Matt Kelly, founder of Make Design Studios, credits music as a central inspiration for the bar’s concept. “Our client shared a curated playlist that became the soundtrack to our design process,” Kelly shared. “By immersing ourselves in the tones, rhythms, and moods of those tracks, we crafted a space that visually embodies their essence. It’s about translating sound into something tangible and atmospheric.”

This deep connection to music is evident throughout Press Club, from the curated vinyl collection lining the shelves to the intimate, dimly lit interior that evokes a sense of nostalgia and discovery.

Behind Bars contributed with a custom-designed Paloma double bar station, tailored to meet the operational and aesthetic needs of the space.

Courtesy: Make Design Studio

Collaboration Beyond the Surface

Kelly speaks highly of the collaboration with Behind Bars, noting how their contributions went beyond just functionality. “Working with Behind Bars is a breath of fresh air. Their distinct design language adds depth and texture, acting as an additional voice in the creative dialogue. They don’t just deliver equipment — they deliver an integral piece of the story,” he explained.

This partnership resulted in a bar station that not only performs at the highest level but also integrates seamlessly into the overall design. Will Patton, one of the founders, emphasized the importance of this harmony: “As with our restaurants, we aspire for our bar to be world-class while executing with peak efficiency and detail.” Behind Bars’ meticulous approach ensured that both the staff’s workflow and the guests’ experience were prioritized.

A Designer’s Perspective

Matt Kelly’s journey into bar design is deeply personal. Having worked as a bartender during his college years, he brings a unique perspective to his projects. “We start with the basics: mapping and sketching the space, identifying the equipment the client needs to excel,” he said. “From there, it’s like a game of Tetris, iterating layouts to find the optimal solution that meets regulatory and operational requirements. Then we shift to the vertical, exploring opportunities in 3D to enhance the space.”

This iterative approach, combined with Kelly’s ability to see through the eyes of both staff and guests, allows him to balance practicality with creativity. “It’s about ensuring the space feels intuitive and inviting. Having been behind the bar myself, that part comes naturally to me,” he added.

Turning Constraints into Creativity

For Kelly and his team, challenges like space constraints are not obstacles — they’re opportunities. “Instead of seeing limitations as roadblocks, we treat them as guidelines,” Kelly explained. “Constraints shape our decisions from the outset, allowing us to integrate them into the design as strengths rather than weaknesses.”

This philosophy was particularly evident at Press Club, where the team transformed a compact, underground space into a venue that feels expansive and immersive. By using every inch of the space strategically, they created an environment that’s both functional for staff and intimate for guests.

The Evolution of Bar Design

Kelly’s work at Press Club reflects broader trends in the bar industry, including the fusion of cultures, flavors, and styles. “The craft and detail going into cocktail creations today is extraordinary,” he noted. “Drinks have evolved into multi-layered experiences, and that artistry inspires us to mirror that thoughtfulness in our designs.”

This alignment of innovation and craft shines through in the Play List tasting menu at Press Club, offering a curated cocktail experience that features inventive flavors like miso-infused cognac and Japanese-inspired small plates.

Listening to the Client’s Vision

One of the hallmarks of Kelly’s approach is his commitment to understanding his clients’ needs. “We anchor our designs in rigorous processes, starting with spatial and regulatory constraints to create a foundation for creativity,” he explained. “It’s about listening carefully and interpreting their vision beyond the words they use. By understanding what they truly need, we can craft designs that meet their expectations while staying true to our creative integrity.”

For Press Club, this meant creating a space that perfectly embodies the vision of its founders while elevating the guest experience. Through a combination of thoughtful design, seamless collaboration, and a shared commitment to excellence, the team behind this project has set a new standard for what a bar can be.

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