PARLER

Cheltenham, UK

The photo shows the exterior of a curved building with large windows and signs that read PARLER in red letters, indicating it is a café, bar, and music venue. The sky is partly cloudy.
A group of people stands and converses outside a brightly lit corner restaurant at night. The building is white with large windows, and the street is quiet with a few people near the entrance.
A cozy café interior with colorful abstract wall art, red bench seating, a wooden chair, green plants in large pots, and pendant lights. Shelves with books and records are visible in the corner.
A lively, modern café with people sitting at tables, talking and enjoying drinks. Large windows let in natural light, and the space features vibrant wall art, plants, and shelves with books and records.
A lively café filled with people talking, eating, and socializing. Warm lighting, modern decor, and large windows create a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere. Shelves, artwork, and plants decorate the space.
People are sitting at tables in a cozy, sunlit café with large windows and indoor plants. Some guests are talking, while others are focused on their food and drinks. Warm natural light fills the space.
A group of six adults sit and chat in a cozy, sunlit room with large windows and plants. Some are laughing and smiling, creating a relaxed and friendly atmosphere.
A cozy café with large round hanging lamps, lush green plants, and people sitting at tables chatting. The atmosphere is warm and inviting, with natural light streaming through the windows. A person in colorful clothing stands in the foreground.
A dimly lit café interior with shelves holding coffee bags and mugs, a fridge below a red sign that reads PARLER ON AIR, and a counter featuring large, decorative, white letters.
A wooden shelf displays a vinyl record, a speaker, several stacked records, and illuminated red and white signs reading “PARLER ON AIR CAFÉ | BAR | SOUNDS.”.
A cozy living room features a glowing paper lantern lamp, a black leather armchair, a coffee table with books and magazines, and a large potted plant in a woven basket. Warm lighting creates a relaxed atmosphere.

A listening bar rooted in sound and materiality, Parler takes its place on Clarence Street in the heart of Cheltenham. Our studio designed the interior in close collaboration with the owners, developing the spatial architecture.

Within the 1,500 sq ft interior, the layout is shaped around the music. A custom-built cabinet houses an analogue hi-fi system, acting as both the aural and social anchor. Seating zones range from banquette wraps in deep burgundy fabric to vintage lounge chairs arranged for intimate listening or quiet conversation. Bespoke decorative screens (pattern inspired by the logo) define rhythm and layer the space.

Material richness is key: mural-painted walls, warm wood joinery, hand-thrown ceramics, layered lighting, and generous greenery craft an ambience of considered details. Locally crafted timber work, ceramics by Cheltenham-based makers, and custom fabrication ground the design in place.

Inspired by Japanese kissaten culture yet firmly anchored in its British context, Parler marries mid-century sensibility with the refined proportions and material palette of its Regency town surroundings. Sound, sight, and brand are aligned to create a setting where listening becomes ritual, and design becomes part of the experience.

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