Taking notes from its history, Dennis delivers a timeless identity for Barcelona’s beloved Bar Bauma

An iconic establishment in Barcelona, Bar Bauma has served as a central hub for local writers and creatives for over 80 years. In 2023, the torch was passed to the passionate new owners, Somos Esencia, who pledged to preserve the historical charm of the bar while injecting a modern twist. Harnessing their vast knowledge in designing for the hospitality industry, the team at the branding and design studio Dennis constructed a robust brand and corresponding menu designs that seamlessly blend reverence for the past with innovative updates that prepare the establishment for the future.

The logo was redrawn from the iconic sign of the bar that has been a hallmark of the establishment. While digitising the logo, only minor adjustments were made to ensure its effectiveness at smaller sizes and correct kerning. Additionally, to differentiate the establishment under the new ownership and to emphasise its function as a bar, the word ‘BAR’ was added to the logo.

“By leveraging the history of the bar,” says Founder & Creative Director Josh Nathanson, “it has become easier to position it as a Barcelona classic that is attractive to both locals and tourists. The updated look and feel also gives it fresh life on social media, reaching a much larger audience than before.”

To support the iconic new logo, Dennis opted for Luzi Type’s Messina Sans Mono as the supporting typeface. “We wanted a monospaced typeface that has a clean and modern aesthetic to accompany the characterful logotype, and this fit the bill perfectly,” notes Designer Marina Coll. The typographic approach for titles and short phrases draws its inspiration from the robust double-print technique that typewriters occasionally require to ensure letter legibility.

The menu design also received a thoughtful upgrade, inspired by the classic clipboard found in most bars in the city. “The gastronomic offer at Bar Bauma can be described as ‘elevated informal,’ so we decided to create the most elevated version of a clipboard possible,” says Coll. “Instead of a bulldog clip, hidden magnets elegantly secure the papers.” Additionally, to protect the pages and add a touch of elegance, a faux leather cover was added with the logo embossed on it. “And the reverse side of the board is laser etched with the logo, as an extra final tactile touch!”

One of the key elements in the rebranding was the choice of the brand’s colour. “The interior designers, Conti Cert, retained and reupholstered much of the furniture from the old bar,” Nathanson tells us. The blue colour, always present in the establishment, was not only chosen to match the new upholstery, but also to serve as a nod to the bar’s rich history. “We took care to match the brand colours to the new upholstery, so that everything lives together in harmony,” he concludes.

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