Tucked within Hong Kong’s energetic Soho district, MIUS is a new cocktail destination by mixologist Shelley Tai that transforms a former home appliance retail space into an intimate retreat.
Designed by locally based Minus Workshop principal Kevin Yiu, the bar balances atmospheric lighting, sculptural architectural upgrades, and a restrained material palette to create a sanctuary removed from the intensity of the surrounding streetscape.
For Yiu, controlling the environment became central to shaping the guest experience. “Vibe is everything for a bar, so we first blocked external light pollution with blackout glazing on street-facing windows, sealing Soho’s neon while admitting soft daylight,” he explains. High ceilings paired with a curated leather blind system allow the space to shift naturally throughout the day, transitioning from softly illuminated afternoons into a layered, moodier nighttime atmosphere.
Inside, a semi-private corner is anchored by a floating chandelier that drifts overhead like luminous orbs, casting a gentle pool of light that encourages guests to linger.
Midcentury modern restraint at MIUS
Rather than lean into the neon-heavy visual language often associated with Soho nightlife, MIUS adopts a quieter midcentury modern sensibility. Warm rusty oak surfaces are paired with brass detailing and silver metallic accents that subtly catch ambient light, creating a composed material palette that directs attention toward the cocktail program itself.
Several of the site’s inherited architectural constraints became defining design moments. Most notably, an unusually low structural beam running through the center of the space was recast as a sculptural focal point. Clad in oak, the beam now acts as a portal-like spine that guides circulation, frames lounge zones, and visually organizes the compact interior.
The intervention also serves a practical function, discreetly concealing essential electrical and mechanical systems within custom oak joinery while still allowing maintenance access behind the scenes.
A layout designed around flow
Despite the compact footprint, Minus Workshop crafted a spatial experience that feels expansive through the use of reflective finishes, strategic voids, and carefully choreographed circulation. Upon entry, guests are immediately drawn toward a dramatic 14-footlong monolithic island counter that anchors the room.
Flanking the central bar are communal high tables crafted from thick slabs of travertine marble, introducing a tactile, grounded quality against the cleaner architectural lines. To support efficient service during peak hours, the cocktail program spans four distinct counters, allowing bartenders to operate fluidly while maintaining a seamless guest experience.
