Upstairs at the 1878
A refined, art‑led private members’ club within Dublin’s iconic 3Arena, The 1878 Club blends mid‑century modernism with expressive Irish abstraction. Designed by Ellis Design Studio for Live Nation Ireland, the space offers a luxurious pre‑ and post‑show retreat defined by sculptural forms, lustrous materials and a bold narrative inspired by Eileen Gray and Mainie Jellett.
A luxurious mid‑century inspired private members’ space.
The 1878 Club is an exclusive private members’ destination within Dublin’s iconic 3Arena — one of the world’s busiest music venues. Ellis Design Studio was commissioned by Live Nation Ireland to reimagine the dramatic fourth‑floor space, creating an elevated pre‑ and post‑show environment for music lovers, VIP guests and industry insiders.
Our design concept draws on the pioneering spirit of two influential Irish creatives: Mainie Jellett, a trailblazer of Irish Cubism, and Eileen Gray, the celebrated modernist designer known for her lacquerwork, sculptural forms and refined materiality. Their legacy informed a narrative of expressive geometry, lustrous surfaces and mid‑century elegance woven throughout the interior.
A Modernist, Art‑Led Interior
The space balances the iridescent glamour of Gray’s lacquered aesthetic with the bold colour and abstract forms found in Jellett’s work. This duality shaped the club’s visual language — from the dramatic polychromatic screens and coral‑hued lacquer‑inspired bar top to the sculptural ribbed banquettes referencing Gray’s iconic Bibendum chair.
A custom Modernist‑inspired back bar anchors the room, featuring illuminated rose‑tinted mirror, reeded glass, fluted timbers and antique brass detailing. Bespoke bar‑top lighting enhances the sense of theatre and creates a warm, inviting glow across the space.
Materiality & Atmosphere
Rich textures, plush velvets and patterned fabrics introduce depth and tactility, while translucent screens add movement, reflectivity and a subtle sense of decadence. The expressive carpet design, inspired by Jellett’s cubist compositions, brings a vibrant graphic energy to the floor plane.
The result is a quietly extravagant, wilfully glamorous members’ club — a refined yet vibrant environment that heightens the anticipation of the arena experience and offers guests a luxurious retreat before and after performances.
