New Zealand
Australia
United States
United Kingdom
IrelandBar Shrimp
The Project
For Manchester hospitality venue Bar Shrimp, atmosphere was never going to be an afterthought. Conceived as a cocktail bar, seafood bar, and destination for music lovers, the venue was designed to deliver an experience where food, drink, design, and sound work together harmoniously. As the third venue in an ongoing collaboration between co-founder Richard Cossins and Autex Acoustics®, the project was built on a shared understanding of how acoustics can shape the way people experience a space.
Project Details
Manchester, United Kingdom
From the outset, the ambition was to create a relaxed and inviting environment where guests could comfortably spend hours enjoying the venue. While music would play an important role in defining the atmosphere, it was equally important that conversations could happen naturally and comfortably. The challenge was creating a space that felt energetic and vibrant without becoming overwhelming.
Richard explains, “The performance of sound is really integral to that comfort.” Creating the right acoustic environment would therefore become a key part of delivering the overall guest experience.
“Our mission at Bar Shrimp is to place sound at the heart of the venue, treating it as an integral part of the experience. The goal is to deliver an immersive sonic identity, detailed and balanced within the space.”
The Challenge
When the Bar Shrimp team first took possession of the space, they identified several acoustic challenges. Hard surfaces, including a concrete floor and large expanses of glazing, could create excessive reverberation and negatively impact speech clarity. Left untreated, the space risked becoming uncomfortably loud as occupancy increased throughout the day and into the evening.
For hospitality venues, managing sound is often a delicate balancing act. Reducing noise levels too aggressively can diminish the energy and atmosphere that bring a venue to life. On the other hand, excessive reverberation can make conversations difficult, impacting guest comfort and potentially shortening dwell time and repeat-visit likelihood. Bar Shrimp required a solution that could achieve both acoustic comfort and a vibrant atmosphere.
Having collaborated with Autex Acoustics across multiple hospitality projects over more than six years, the Bar Shrimp team knew that acoustic performance did not need to come at the expense of design. Equally important was the alignment between both organisations’ approach to sustainability, with a shared commitment to creating spaces that are both environmentally conscious and thoughtfully designed.
The Solution
Autex Acoustics was engaged early in the design process, working alongside the project team to ensure acoustics were considered as an integral part of the guest experience rather than a final-stage addition. This collaborative approach enabled acoustic performance and aesthetic intent to be developed in tandem.
To help address the acoustic requirements of the venue, Autex specified Cube™ 12mm with Mirage™ Textured Finish in Lapis on Opera. Selected for both their acoustic properties and visual appeal, the panels introduce depth, texture, and material richness while contributing to a more balanced acoustic environment.
“Mirage represents the next generation of Autex Acoustics acoustic wall and ceiling solutions”, says Daniel Senior, Director, Autex Acoustics UK & EU. Using advanced laser-etching technology, Mirage creates intricate surface patterns inspired by natural materials, delivering a highly decorative finish without compromising performance. For Bar Shrimp, this allowed acoustic treatment to become part of the design story, integrating it into the overall interior aesthetic.
Selected for its sculptural form and acoustic performance, Frontier™ Axis crowns the bar area, creating a standout feature while supporting a more comfortable conversational environment.
In addition to enhancing the look and feel of the space, Mirage aligns with the project’s sustainability ambitions. Made in Britain and containing a minimum of 80% recycled content, the product reflects the values shared by both the Bar Shrimp and Autex Acoustics.
“As teaching methods evolve and learning spaces become more flexible, early acoustic planning is increasingly important.”
The Result
The completed venue shows how acoustics can actively contribute to hospitality design rather than simply solving a technical problem. By reducing reverberation and improving speech intelligibility, the acoustic treatment helps create an environment where guests can comfortably converse, enjoy the music, and remain immersed in the overall experience.
Importantly, the venue retains the vibrancy and energy expected of a contemporary cocktail bar. Guests can enjoy a lively atmosphere without struggling to communicate, supporting longer visits and a more memorable experience. The acoustic panels integrate seamlessly into the venue’s material palette, proving that high-performance acoustic solutions can enhance design as much as they enhance comfort.
“Creating the right atmosphere in a hospitality venue is essential to the guest experience.”
Bar Shrimp is an example of what is possible when sound is considered from the beginning. Through early collaboration, thoughtful product selection, and a shared commitment to design and sustainability, a hospitality environment can be created where acoustics are not just heard, but felt, elevating every aspect of the guest experience.
The Team
Great spaces are created through collaboration. Explore the team behind this project and the contributions that brought it to life.
Bar Shrimp
Explore more about Bar Shrimp in this Dezeen feature
Product Range
Explore our complete collection of acoustic products, developed to support focus, comfort, and creative expression. Thoughtfully engineered and design-led, the Autex Acoustics range offers flexible solutions for projects of every scale and ambition.
Want to Be Featured Next?
Behind every successful project is a story worth telling. Get in touch to showcase your work and the team that brought it to life.
