Cantilever: In The Mix March

All the latest news from our design studio

What’s New - Our first Install of 2025

We’re excited to showcase our latest full-build bar design for The Olive Tree in Berkhamsted, an independently owned Greek taverna known for its authentic home-style cuisine, that we completed back in January.

When the owner reached out, he recognised that his bar wasn’t performing to its full potential and wanted a space that works seamlessly.

With efficiency at the heart of the design, we created a space that allows the team to provide exceptional service, even during the busiest hours. Every detail was crafted to optimise speed, ease of service, and functionality, ensuring a smooth and highly effective workspace for the bartenders.

To bring the vision to life, the design studio produced high-quality renders which are realistic digital images that showcase the proposed design, these were very well received by the client. The visuals played a key role in refining and finalising the design before construction began.

Charlotte, our senior designer, had the pleasure of working on this fantastic project says: “Working on this project was a delight from start to finish, where operation was key within a tight footprint, but the aesthetics were equally as important!  We are proud to have produced a bar that is creating such a positive atmosphere amongst the staff and customers.”

Topic Of The Month - Inclusive Bar Design

At Cantilever, we believe every guest should be able to enjoy their bar experience confidently and comfortably. That’s why accessibility is often a core focus in our design process, ensuring the spaces we create are welcoming to all.

Here are just a few ways we design for accessibility:

Wide walkways to allow easy movement for the staff behind the bar.
Multi-level bartops, including lower sections for wheelchair users.
Dimmable lighting to support different sensory needs.
Deep bartop overhang for comfortable seating.
Non-slip flooring for safer movement.
Ergonomics are considered carefully in the setting out of our bars, making sure no bartop reach is too far, no gantry too tall and no walk gap too small.

With every project, we learn more and evolve our approach - because great design is about creating spaces where everyone feels welcome.

If you’re ready to make your next bar inclusive, beautiful and functional, we’d love to help!
 
Project Focus - Dishoom Battersea

For many years, Cantilever has had the privilege of designing underbars for Dishoom, the much-loved Indian restaurant chain inspired by Mumbai’s iconic Irani cafés of the 1960s.

Our focus on high-efficiency design led to the development of a signature “Dishoom generic” underbar with the Dishoom team- a versatile design used across all their venues, incorporating features such as dedicated blender platforms, spice racks, large garnish rails, and custom till shrouds.

In 2023, we were proud to install the underbar at Dishoom Battersea, set within the iconic Battersea Power Station - a unique venue with an equally unique story.

Alice, our lead designer responsible for much of our work with Dishoom, had the pleasure of working on this exciting project says: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working with the Dishoom team over the years, designing and developing their underbars and back of  house spaces. Collaborating with such a creative and passionate group has been a great experience, and it was exciting to see our work at Dishoom Battersea become part of such a vibrant and dynamic environment.”

Each Dishoom café tells its own tale, and Battersea’s is particularly captivating - imagining a young girl from 1953 Bombay transported to a futuristic 2023, where she discovers superpowers. This blend of past and future creates an atmosphere that is truly one of a kind.