POP UP Basement Fun Zone - Little Nan’s Rio Bar

Working with East London’s independent Rio Cinema, we converted a labyrinth of their basement storage rooms into a POP UP ‘Fun Zone’ concept, Based on the smash up of three main ideas, for one year (was only meant to be 3 x months) we offered the public, brands and film goes a truly one off and magical environment to escape, relax and play. 

Idea 1: A 90’s House party set in perfectly imagined teenage bedroom, complete with boy band posters, TV stars, memorabilia, theatrical dressing up box and props.

Idea 2: Your Nan’s front room, full of repro furniture, ornaments & heirlooms to create a nostalgic homely kitsch setting, spoiling guests with ‘Tea Set’ cocktails with Royal family, TV and soap drama star names. 

 Idea 3: Cinema basement vaults, walls layered with film posters old elements of cinema and filming equipment.  – An old photographic darkroom went onto became Nan’s kitchen and Bar.

Put them all together and you get Little Nan’s Rio Bar

The story: Little Nan’s is inspired by bar owner’s Nan, who used to travel through ‘The Pipe’ (Blackwall tunnel) from her home in Deptford and used to sell ice cream and sweets at the Rio Cinema on Wednesday & Saturday nights. She often spoke about the wild parties she attended in the basement back in the 1930s!

The journey: Choose your unique tea cup from the display, select your favourite 90’s style pick ‘n’ mix and fresh popcorn from the machine, take a seat in the ‘Lounge’, select a teapot cocktail or drinks from our crazy ‘hand written’ menus hidden in old books. Then dress up and make short video clips that could be shared via our interactive photo booth in the ‘Fun Room’ and when your ready, take to the dance floor and sing-a-long to the hits of the day. With everywhere is a photo opportunity it was the prefect self-promotion event of the year!

Going to work doesn’t get better than this…