Gunnar Eatery & Bar

Year

2026

Client

Turun Osuuskauppa

Restaurant design
Glamorous restaurant interior with red lacquered tables, zebra and leopard print seating, and dramatic fringed pendant lights in warm red tones
Intro

Stepping into Gunnar Eatery & Bar is stepping back in time. VDP Helsinki drew inspiration from the mysterious allure of 1920s speakeasies, crafting an interior that pulses with the seductive energy of the Prohibition era — velvet, champagne and jazz all wrapped in one.

Located within Turku’s iconic Hotel Seurahuone, a beloved landmark with an unbroken history of hospitality since 1928, Gunnar — affectionately known as “Gunu” — opened in March 2026 in collaboration with client Turun Osuuskauppa (TOK). The design brings this storied building boldly into the present, balancing its classic heritage with a sensory, glamorous atmosphere that feels both timeless and utterly alive.

The project encompasses approximately 100 square metres across three distinct rooms, each with its own mood and material palette, all available for private hire. The renewed bar counter anchors the space — updated in both surface materials and functionality to match the ambition of the overall concept.

The main lounge is an exercise in controlled excess. Deep crimson damask wallpaper wraps the walls from floor to ceiling, while custom-made multi-tiered fringed pendant lights in red and cream cascade dramatically overhead. Curved red velvet sofas are layered with zebra and leopard print cushions, oval lacquered tables sit on brass bases, and lush greenery soften the room’s theatrical intensity. Every surface, every material, every detail is deliberate.

The second room shifts the palette entirely — dark forest green panelled walls, natural raffia fringe pendants, deep green tufted leather banquettes, and peacock feather cushions create a more intimate, club-like atmosphere. Vintage European travel and film posters line the walls, and a red velvet curtain frames a private corner that feels borrowed from a 1930s Parisian brasserie.

The entrance sets expectations immediately. A bold black and white geometric marble floor leads guests toward glass doors, where a yellow neon “It’s Cocktail Time!” sign glows against red and gold damask wallpaper. Zebra armchairs with red fringe bases flank the entrance — a declaration of intent before you’ve even walked through the door.

Rich, layered, unapologetically bold. Surrender to your senses.

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Photo Credit. Suvi Laine

Gunnar Eatery & Bar dining room viewed from the front showing multiple fringed pendant lights, red velvet sofas with leopard print cushions and zebra print chairs around red lacquered tables
Gunnar Eatery & Bar entrance exterior view showing glass doors leading to the bar counter, a glowing yellow neon sign reading 'It's Cocktail Time!' on red damask wallpaper, two zebra print chairs with red fringed bases, black and white geometric floor tiles and a tropical palm plant on the left
Gunnar Eatery & Bar transition area between spaces showing both gold and red fringed pendant lights, red damask floral wallpaper, zebra print chairs, a gold tufted velvet sofa, red lacquered tables with candelabras and a tall palm plant with black and white geometric floor tiles visible in the foreground
Gunnar Eatery & Bar entrance area viewed from a different angle showing the wooden communal table with silver candelabras, red velvet fringed chairs, a sparkling crystal chandelier, and the red damask wallpaper of the main room visible through the doorway with a gold tufted sofa and palm plant beyond
Gunnar Eatery & Bar private dining area with dark green panelled walls, vintage framed posters, green tufted banquette seating with peacock print cushions, zebra print chairs around red lacquered tables and a dramatic red velvet curtain
Gunnar Eatery & Bar interior shot from a low angle emphasising the dramatic ceiling of layered fringed pendant lights, with red lacquered tables, zebra print chairs and a tall tropical palm plant visible in the background
Gunnar Eatery & Bar green room close-up showing gold-toned layered fringed pendant lights dominating the ceiling, vintage art nouveau posters on dark green panelled walls with brass wall sconces, red lacquered tables with gold table lamps and green tufted banquette with peacock print cushions
Gunnar Eatery & Bar wide shot showing the transition between spaces with a gold tufted velvet sofa and crushed velvet cushions against bold red damask floral wallpaper in the foreground, leading through to the main red dining room with zebra print chairs, fringed pendant lights in both gold and red tones, and black and white geometric floor tiles visible on the right