Atelier Sun Captures the Glow and Reflection of Evening in Toronto’s Suite 115 Cocktail Bar

In the very heart of Toronto, hidden behind an unassuming façade, Suite 115 reveals itself only when dusk begins to glow.

This craft cocktail bar, designed by Atelier Sun, is conceived as an intimate refuge where light is not merely functional — it becomes narrative, emotion and invitation. From the very first step, the bar signals its story. Facing the street is a lounge that radiates a sumptuous red glow at twilight, spilling onto the sidewalk like an extension of the sunset. A large gradient panel reflects the cityscape in deep oranges and reds, allowing guests to see themselves immersed in the colours of the city before discovering the discreet door that leads into the core of the experience.

Inside, the bar unfolds as a carefully choreographed interplay of light and shadow. A linear golden pendant stretches across the room, illuminating the bar counters, while the walls shimmer in nuanced shades of crimson. Bottle shelves arranged like a decorative backdrop amplify the warmth, and a razor-thin strip of light tracing the wall and ceiling divides the space into two symmetrical halves — creating an illusion of duality, reflection and quiet geometry.

The owner sought to revive the atmosphere of Toronto’s traditional bars. Yet instead of a single, continuous counter, the design team — led by Andrew Sun, with collaborator Jaclyn Horne — created two identical bars, separated by a slender line of light that operates like a visual mirror. These “twins” work both functionally and poetically: a rhythm of service, and a subtle visual doubling where every movement of staff and guests is echoed, infusing the space with a sense of playful theatricality.

This visual choreography extends to the lounge area as well. The mirror here interacts with the reflected illusion within the bar, linking guests to the space, the city and to one another. Every visit becomes a small performance of light, presence and moment.

Behind this immersive atmosphere lies a meticulously coordinated collaboration: the bar was executed by Gold Palas Woodworking and Amazi Image, while Atelier Sun guided the project to completion in 2023. Warm materials, dark tones, metallic accents and precise lighting define a space that exudes luxury without pretence — a bar that remains intimate, theatrical and deeply sensorial.

Covering approximately 150 square metres, Suite 115 is not large, yet it is monumental in how it uses space. Every detail serves an emotional purpose — from the way light slides across the counter to the discreet transition between the exterior world and the inner sanctum.

For Atelier Sun — a studio blending Asian and Canadian design philosophies — the project is a study in the transformative power of space. Their work reframes what is familiar, revealing the unknown beneath it — or, in this case, turning a bar into a hidden universe that unfolds only when you enter, pause, and allow the atmosphere to take hold.

Suite 115 thus becomes more than a bar: it becomes a ritual. A place where mystery and warmth meet, and where a good cocktail begins long before the first sip — in the very way the space envelops, reflects and welcomes you.