Conceptualised by Wilson Associates, the interiors of the The Duck Hook at Dubai Hills Golf Club is a charming, family-friendly gastropub-style venue with a sporting country pursuits theme. Located in the heart of the prestigious Dubai Hills Estate development, The Duck Hook offers classically indulgent, unpretentious fare, international beers, and an artful selection of house tinctures appease diners before or after a round of golf.
While designing the interior spaces, the Wilson Associates team envisioned an eclectic version of a classic English pub, while bringing in a touch of humour. As soon as guests step inside The Duck Hook, they are immediately welcomed into an environment reminiscent of the English shires. From the extensive British-inspired menus and craft beverages, to the décor and setting, the new country- style restaurant delivers quality cuisine, drinks and entertainment for diners. The dark colours, English tweed, and Victorian duck paintings escalate the English countryside feeling. The restaurant also features stunning views of the Dubai skyline and of the magnificent 18-hole championship course at Dubai Hills Estate. The casual venue provides a unique experience for all visitors, offering high-end design and an inspired food and beverage destination to Dubai.
Design
Drawing design inspiration from a classic English pub, The Duck Hook bar and restaurant offers the ambiance of a neighbourhood bar inside an idyllic hideaway. This venue provides an informal, yet chic reprieve from Dubai’s bustling city center without sacrificing uninterrupted views of the iconic cityscape. Seeking to highlight the Dubai Hills Estate golf club surroundings, the design team focused on enhancing the views during the design process.
For The Duck Hook, the team envisioned an eclectic version of a classic English pub, while bringing in a touch of humorous design elements such as a custom, Victorian family duck art collection commissioned by London-based artist Ellie Popp. Wilson Associates tailored each design element to the unique concept, including fireplaces, communal tables, bar counters, and light fixtures. Inspiration for the colour palette was drawn from the natural colours of mallards and ducks such as blue, green and yellow. This palette was then translated into a curated and handpicked selection of interior finishes such as stones, wallpaper, and upholstery. Primary materials used throughout the space include green flamed marble countertops, English tweeds on accent cushions to tie in the core pub elements, brass accents, leather, and hand-blown glass.
The goal of The Duck Hook was to provide a popular, yet “hidden” neighbourhood bar where guests could unwind and enjoy open views of the field. One of the prominent aims of the project was to ensure the overall feel of the clubhouse did not overrule the perception of the pub. The design process focused on challenging the perception of aesthetics in unexpected ways. Humour was the top element explored in the design approach for The Duck Hook. The interior design interprets analogies found in a traditional pub, while also reinterpreting these elements in a playful way. Traditional pubs tend to exude seriousness – The Duck Hook challenged this notion by combining various elements to deliver a fresh and unusual approach to a gastropub.
The design team worked closely with the various project consultants, ensuring that the client’s vision was incorporated throughout the entire design. The team members of Wilson Associates’ Dubai studio not only brought enthusiasm and creativity to the project but also commitment and excellence to their approach. The resulting restaurant provides a cosy and inviting atmosphere to accommodate small groups as well as the opportunity to welcome larger groups, especially families with children, offering an open space flowing onto the golf course.
Sustainability was also at the forefront of the design process at The Duck Hook. No single use plastic is used in front-of-house operations with the aim to be completely single use plastic free by EXPO 2020.
