In Bahçelievler, Ankara, we developed an example of meyhane design in Düet, reinterpreting traditional meyhane (Turkish tavern) culture through a warm, contemporary spatial layout, a perspective that guided all our design decisions.
Materials and Atmosphere in Meyhane Design
In Düet, we took a contemporary approach to the characteristic elements of meyhane culture, with special displays of rakı bottles on the walls, accompanied by timber surfaces, warm tones and industrial-style lighting. These give the space a strong, intimate atmosphere, which sits at the heart of the guest experience in a meyhane, and we kept the materials and floor finishes consistent with this warmth.
Indoor–Outdoor Transition in Meyhane Design
We created a timber terrace accompanied by different seating areas and planting, providing a natural transition between inside and outside that turns the traditional meyhane atmosphere into a more airy, up-to-date experience. As a platform showcasing leading restaurant and bar designs worldwide also shows, reinterpreting traditional spatial cultures in a contemporary language is a strong trend in today's design. This matches Düet's design philosophy directly, and our planting choices support this airy character too.
We carried traditional meyhane culture into a contemporary spatial language through materials, light and detail, designing every detail to support this transformation and planning the lighting to strengthen the warm, intimate atmosphere. You can explore similar work on our restaurant and café projects page. We kept the same warm language in the outdoor seating areas. In venues where guests stay long, such as a meyhane, restaurant interior design decisions determine how long guests stay.
Conclusion: A Contemporary Meyhane Design
At Düet, CO Mimarlık developed a meyhane design that combines materials, light and spatial layout in a single experience, a tangible example of reinterpreting a traditional culture in a contemporary language that guests feel the moment they step inside. Over time, Düet has become one of Bahçelievler's notable meeting places, popular with guests of different generations alike.
