Limbo Bar is a boutique cocktail bar located on the banks of the Yalu River in Dandong, Liaoning Province. Having operated locally for many years, it has now commissioned Baicai to upgrade its space and create an environment that embodies its vision and spirit.

Limbo comes from the Latin limbus, meaning a state of being on the edge or boundary. In medieval Christian doctrine and Dante’s Divine Comedy, it is described as a place where souls temporarily dwell—free from suffering, yet also without divine grace.

The design uses mirrors and metal panels to shape the spatial atmosphere. On one side of the space, angled mirrors reflect fragmented views, evoking a dreamlike, liminal state between reality and illusion.

To meet display needs, a layered liquor wall was added beside the bar, with a ladder for access. Reflective, aged metal panels behind the shelves interact with the bottles’ light and shadow, creating a sense of mystery within the space.

We lowered the floor of the bar’s working area to match dining table height, creating a bar space more comfortable for extended seating.

The semi-transparent façade uses horizontal slatted screens, balancing openness and continuity. This horizontal rhythm and fragmented reflections extend into the restrooms, unifying the space.

Liminality, mystery, fragmentation, and gaps define the mood of the design. We hope each visitor becomes an island—gathering here to form an archipelago.