A distinctive but hospitable style in the heart of Xanthi

Chic and cool, the Beyond Society Gastrobar is a one-of-a-kind establishment located in the small Greek city of Xanthi in the region of East Macedonia and Thrace. Situated in the vibrant cultural context of a pedestrian precinct in the city’s modern business district, the cocktail bar is a meeting place where customers can take a relaxing break and enjoy a coffee, an aperitif or a lunch or dinner based on local flavours. With its direct but warm and welcoming style and brightly-lit spaces punctuated by design elements, the Beyond Society Gastrobar is “a space inspired by the classical elegance that has always marked out the city and by the urban architectural style dating back to the early twentieth century when Xanthi was at the centre of the Greek tobacco trade”, explains interior designer Nikos Nikakis who coordinated the project.
The colours blend together appealingly and are reflected in the mirrors and bronze details which, like a golden thread, create a vintage cosmopolitan atmosphere. “This retro touch also emerges from the velvet furnishing accessories and wood surfaces, creating the sensation of being in a different era to the other spaces of the gastrobar with their contemporary style concept,” continues the interior designer.
But it is the surface coverings that serve to link together the styles and atmospheres, lending a touch of prestige to the interiors. The chosen material is a visually-striking porcelain tile that faithfully reproduces Aziz stone, renowned as one of the most sophisticated and noble varieties of marble. The intense but elegant spirit and deep, pale veins of this black ceramic tile from Fondovalle lends a sense of uniformity to the two floors of the Beyond Society Gastrobar. The large slabs in the Infinito 2.0 series (dark Sahara Noir colour, honed polished finish and 120×120 cm size) are also used on a section of the bar counter, a distinctive, slightly Victorian touch that lends added charm to the bar area.
The marble-effect surface coverings reflect the design accessories such as the pendant lamps and discreetly accommodate tables and chairs in the three colours sage green, ice white and grey. “The many different geometries incorporated into the bar’s design, the way the classical lines are transformed by juxtapositions of curves and polygons, creates a multi-dimensional space with a bright, imposing atmosphere,” says Nikos Nikakis. The wood ceiling features exposed geometric beams that extend down the walls.
The large slabs create a sense of aesthetic and architectural continuity, a result “made possible by the versatility of the product, which lends itself to unconventional applications in the wider field of interior design and furnishing”, he concludes.