Header: Yixi Liu
Tucked away in the historic streets of Xi’an, N·Tender Bar is not your typical cocktail bar. Designed by CHIN DESIGN and led by Yixi Liu, the bar challenges traditional design norms, playing with transparency, movement, and unconventional shapes. The project also won the prestigious BLT Built Design Award in Interior Design – Hospitality, recognizing its innovation in bar and restaurant spaces.
Fluid forms and materials
At first glance, N·Tender’s double-curved floor-to-ceiling glass immediately catches the eye. Crafted by one of China’s top glass manufacturers over a month-long process, these panels mimic the fluidity of water. Advanced software calculations helped achieve the perfect irregular curves, giving the exterior a sense of motion, an idea that ties directly to the brand’s theme of freedom and fluidity in its cocktails.
Inside, seating and columns are made from lotus-colored resin fiberglass, which appears solid but transforms under lighting. Internal illumination gives the fiberglass an almost liquid-like appearance, enhancing the sensation of movement within the space. The choice of material and shape was no accident; it was carefully modeled and cast to create a surreal, dreamlike atmosphere.
Reimagining space and structure
N·Tender takes inspiration from classical architecture but flips expectations. Traditional Doric columns, usually symbols of strength and stability, are inverted and mounted on the ceiling. This unexpected twist makes visitors question their sense of space, mixing historical references with a contemporary edge.
Lighting at N·Tender is anything but ordinary. Instead of standard fixtures, the designers opted for custom-made wall lights crafted from irregularly shaped steel plates. These jagged forms create a sense of controlled randomness, as if the light has been torn and scattered throughout the space. The effect adds depth and intrigue, reinforcing the brand’s core themes of creation and experimentation.
An atmosphere that reflects the brand
The bar’s slogan, “Tend You Tenderly,” is reflected in the space’s tactile experience. Limestone flooring, textured coatings, and thin-poured concrete create a raw, grounded feel, contrasting with the fluid glass and fiberglass elements. Large curtains act as flexible dividers, allowing guests to settle into a slower pace and fully absorb the ambiance. With its bold use of materials, unexpected forms, and commitment to an evolving spatial experience, N·Tender Bar really is a unique cocktail destination.
Project info
Design Company: CHIN DESIGN
Lead Designer: Yixi Liu
Interior Designer: Yixi Liu
Project Location: 6 Taiyangmiao Gate, Beilin District, Xi’an, Shaanxi Province, China
Project Year: 2023
Photography: Yixi Liu
