Bulgarian Marka Collective’s work is always spot-on, well researched and high in quality, whether in ideas, creativity, or execution. We’ve seen many stellar branding concepts by them (previously here) yet their latest project involving a speakeasy is what captures their skillset the best. Култура, or Kultura for us without the means to read Cyrillic, is a bar – a speakeasy – located in the city of Varna in Bulgaria, inspired by the Prohibition era of the 20s and 30s in America.
The concept designed and executed by Marka Collective focuses on the hidden aspect of a speakeasy – with a strong post-apocalyptic dystopian feel, blended with the Prohibition period memorabilia. The black and white with deep bloody red combined create a classic color combination, while the line illustrations and modern typography keep it contemporary. Utilizing various printing methods, especially the blind embossing is a clever reference to the speakeasy culture, while the black and white photographs bring a whiff of history to the mix.
Kultura was founded “as an oasis for people who still understand the importance of transforming a random Friday night into a lifetime experience”, and with no doubt, it has become the place to seek refuge from the mundane everyday life, a place where one can freely and openly engage in the more hedonistic things in life.
Images © Marka Collective