Smuggler's Cove graphic design

Or: How I spent my summer vacation

Mar-2-10, 4:41 pm by Hanford
File under: fun, design, Tiki

If you're looking for a great place to drink in San Francisco, look no further than the newly opened Smuggler's Cove.

It's a Tiki bar -- and dare I say it -- The Greatest Rum Bar In The World, opened by my good friend Martin Cate (The same man who co-created the Alameda tiki bar Forbidden Island, and helped me with my Rickrolling of Dr. Tiki). It's getting rave reviews from all over the place.

Here's a quote from the SFGate:

"Tiki is where Cate made his bones, and it dominates two pages of an extensive menu of about 80 drinks .... But the promise of Smuggler's Cove was always to move beyond tiki and proclaim the full glories of rum. So the menu includes a lineup of traditional Caribbean drinks, sorted by geography, plus a historic roster that stretches back into Colonial times and beyond — an echo of the mashup decor. There is grog, of course, but also more obscure fare. " [read more]

It is a fantastic bar, and I'm really couldn't be prouder of Martin. If you stop by, prepare for a great time ... and tell them Hanford sent you.

My hand in Smuggler's Cove

It truly is a wonderful place, even though I am kinda biased. In addition to being a friend of Martin's, I also did a bit of work on various snippets of Smuggler's Cove.

Barrel logo and logotype

Back when the Cove was still a smuggler's secret, Martin asked me to come up with a logo for the bar. His original concept was a rum barrel surrounded by spirits with the logo below it:

smugglers-cove-bottles

Here's the barrel image itself. It was done in woodcut/scrimshaw style:

smugglers-cove-larger

Smuggler's Cove icon

While working on the Barrel logo, I started brainstorming a Smuggler's insignia; something I imagined old time smugglers might use as a kind of secret identifier for their loot. Martin could use it for lower-profile things and in places where the full logo wouldn't work. Martin liked the idea and we kicked designs around until I finalized this one, which represents looking down at the top of barrel:

As it turns out, this icon gets used a whole lot more than the full logo, which I'm perfectly happy with. Anyone down for a SC tattoo?

Swizzle stick

I also worked with Martin on the design of the swizzle sticks. You know, those little plastic drink stirrers that feature the bar's logo. I drew up a rope and driftwood design that was sculpted and produced by a genuine swizzle factory:

Smuggler's Cove menu

And who could forget the menu. Martin envisioned a 10 page, oversized menu featuring detailed illustrations on every page. It was a challenge, but I kicked it out in a week. You really need to see it in real life to get the full effect, as the illustrations are all done in a style similar to the barrel logo. Here's a preview of a single page:

Smuggler's Cove preview site and game

Last but not least, I did the Smuggler's Cove preview site (before the full site launched) and the secret "Where is Smuggler's Cove" game that was hidden in that site. I hope to post about those in the future!

Summary

Wow! I didn't think I had contributed too much to Smuggler's Cove, but I guess it does add up. And I hope it complements the amazing work that Martin and the crew puts into the bar every day. Next time you're in San Francisco, you definitely need to make it out to Smuggler's Cove.

Swizzle Photo credit: Erick Wong/The Chronicle

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cartransport wrote: 7 days ago, 6:59 pm

If we share the real facts that many times that it begins to run yesterday. Yes, They can be discussed at the right time

woofmutt wrote: Mar-4-10, 3:37 pm

The "SC" icon is really swell. I like how the interlocking letters and stylized barrelhead have that odd quality many old insignias and hallmarks have, the irregular lines read like old print or a wax seal, and the whole design pays a quiet homage to the tradition of the barrelhead as advertising/signage. Similar thoughts on the look of the menu. A lesser hand would have made an obviously retro send up.

JenTiki wrote: Mar-2-10, 4:53 pm

That tattoo idea is tempting!

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