Built for a Festive Life: the world’s first Mobile Speakeasy
Written by Andrew Nixon
This Christmas a mysterious box appeared outside the Burlington Arcade, Mayfair.
Quickly, rumours spread that the box was a hidden entry to a secret world...
Furtive characters in evening dress were spotted approaching it and tapping out a coded knock on the door, whereupon the box would open onto a dazzling den of glamour, jazz, cocktails…
...A secret Speakeasy!
Who doesn’t love the idea of a Speakeasy? So-called because in 1930s prohibition-era America you were advised to ‘speak easy’ about your favourite illicit drinking den in case the cops were listening in.
This Christmas we decided to make our own Naked Kitchens secret Speakeasy – and what’s more, we decided the best place to hide it was in plain sight: on some of London’s busiest shopping streets… Well, why not?
It’s actually a Naked Kitchens bespoke bar and drinks cabinet, complete with glasses racks, wine storage, walnut cabinetry and gorgeous brass interiors. And since it popped up in Mayfair, home of the finest things in London life, it’s suitably stocked with vintage champagne and all the correct cocktail ingredients.
A splendid – and very Christmassy time – was had by all who tapped the secret knock to reveal the festive world hidden within.
Sightings were reported at various sites including next to an enormous Christmas tree on New Bond Street.
But it vanished into the night as quickly and mysteriously as it had appeared. And by the morning the Mobile Speakeasy was nowhere to be found…
Built for a Festive Life: Behind the scenes
The Built for Christmas shoot was a very enjoyable bit of Naked Kitchens guerilla kitchen installation.
It involved removing a really rather heavy bar and drinks cabinet from our Bloomsbury showroom, so Naked Kitchens stalwarts Jasker, Will, Eddie and Lyam came down from Norfolk to help get it in and out of the van. Jamie Everett secured the New Bond Street spot by charming the Ralph Lauren security staff, James Bond-style. Models Alex, Georgia, Izzy and Olly enjoyed a few glasses of fizz; then it was off to Burlington Arcade before packing the whole thing up and heading back to Bloomsbury to assemble the showroom.
Interestingly, despite the cabinet’s secret adventure, involving several van journeys, a lot of carting around and exposure to London’s Christmas shoppers, when the Bloomsbury designers came in the next morning not a single one noticed a thing.
Which just goes to show, Naked Kitchens cabinets really are durable to take anything life throws at them…
At Naked Kitchens we love making ‘wow’ features – real showstoppers that are completely unique to your kitchen. Something that puts a big smile on your face every day (and possibly makes your guests a little bit green with envy…).
So why not have your ultimate dream drinks station, perhaps with a built-in coffee machine, bar, fridge and sink, all together in a truly eye-popping centrepiece cabinet. You only live once, after all…
Talk to us about making your dream kitchen a reality.
See also:
Kitchen islands - a guide to different styles and ways to use them
Unusual kitchen colours – tips, ideas and inspiration
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