Adelaide bar design named best in world at international awards

An Adelaide bar has been named the best-designed in the world – and won another award for its neon chandelier. Take a look inside.

Bar supervisor Thomas with a cocktail at Bar Luma … The Adelaide bar has been named best designed bar in the world at international competition in London. Picture: NCA NewsWire / David Mariuz

Does Adelaide have the best-designed bar in the world?

Judges at the international Restaurant & Bar Design Awards say so, naming Luma at the Playford Hotel as Best Overall Bar at its 2023 ceremony in London.

Luma, on North Terrace, also won the award for lighting with its ceiling-spanning neon chandelier, and the category for Best Australia and Pacific Restaurant/Bar.

Mel Leyn, director of sales and marketing, and head mixologist Gregory Perrot at Luma in the newly renovated Playford Hotel. Picture: Tom Huntley

The art nouveau-inspired lobby bar and restaurant, created by Melbourne architecture and interior design firm Hachem, was part of a multimillion-dollar upgrade of the Playford Hotel and opened in September last year.

Judge Ari Kastrati, chief hospitality officer for MGM Resorts International, described Luma’s design, including the 800m-long sculptural chandelier that weaves and winds across its ceiling, as “daring and effective”.

Interior of the Luma restaurant and bar at Playford Hotel, Adelaide.

“Modern luxury. Incredible lighting detail,” Mr Kastrati said.

The Playford’s director Daniel Sparr said his brief for the designer was simple: “Bring back the WOW!”

“Fady Hachem managed to recapture the glamour of art nouveau and turn Luma Restaurant & Bar into a genuine destination venue, marrying the culinary ethos of European simplicity with a sophisticated yet casual elegance,” he said.

Mr Sparr said winning the three awards was a “huge recognition we are proud of”.

Luma restaurant is overseen by executive chef Cameron Tabe with a share-inspired menu using locally-sourced organic ingredients.

Playford Mgallery Adelaide, Luma Restaurant. Picture: Supplied by Accor

Luma Restaurant. Picture: Supplied by Accor

Luma Restaurant. Picture: Supplied by Accor

London venue Cicchetti, by Fettle Design, won the other major award for Best Overall Restaurant.

The Restaurant & Bar Design Awards has been running for 15 years and is regarded as the most important and influential design competition for food and beverage spaces.

A global panel of 40 judges from the design, hospitality and lifestyle industries chose this year’s winners out of 1130 entries from 61 countries.

Three Sydney venues also won awards, with shabu-shabu restaurant Hanasuki named best stand-alone venue, Koi by the Poernomo brothers winning best cafe, and neon-lit Tsukiyo for having the best surface interiors.