Hogo Huone — Cocktail Bar, Helsinki

Hogo Huone is a specialty rum cocktail bar located in the heart of Kallio, one of Helsinki’s most vibrant and eclectic neighborhoods.

The design draws inspiration from Shaker furniture and interiors—known for their devotion to simplicity, honesty, and utility. Guided by this ethos, my approach to creating the space was deeply detail-oriented and entirely made to measure.

Commissioned by a classical musician from the Helsinki Philharmonic, the design needed to reflect a multi-dimensional space where hospitality and collaboration were not just practical concerns but part of the architecture itself. The name Hogo refers to the old French word for a “high taste” or “aroma” often used to describe fine rum—a fitting starting point for a bar focused on the sensory experience. The space is intentionally minimal to eliminate distractions and heighten the awareness of taste, smell, and color.

The mood and palette of the interior were partly inspired by Vincent van Gogh’s Tree Roots (1890), painted during his time in Auvers-sur-Oise, France. Its intertwining forms and layered earth tones resonated with the grounded, organic atmosphere we wanted to evoke—where tropical warmth and deep complexity are subtly felt rather than overtly stated.

Hogo Huone’s interior called for a light, clean design language that reflects the refined ingredients and character of its cocktails. Many furnishings were upcycled and restored, and elements from the previous business were salvaged and reimagined to suit the new concept.

The result is a space rooted in honest materials, handmade details, and thoughtful design—an embodiment of Adrian Rigopulos’s vision of a truly hospitable environment.

Opened: Summer 2022
Location: Viides linja 7 00530 Helsinki
www.hogohuone.com

Photography: Mikko Laitinen
Furnishing Collaboration: Mimi McPartlan & Josh Krute