Electric Shuffle Canary Wharf

A vibrant, electric reimagining of shuffleboard for the 21st‑century social landscape.

Electric Shuffle Canary Wharf is a flagship competitive socialising venue set within a 9,000 sq ft, two‑storey space in the heart of Canary Wharf. The venue reimagines the classic game of shuffleboard through a bold fusion of Art Deco glamour, industrial utility and electrical innovation.

The brief was to reinvent shuffleboard for a new generation — electrifying the game through cutting‑edge technology and embedding it within a richly layered, conceptual interior. Ellis Design Studio responded with a scheme inspired by the pioneers of electrical engineering, particularly Nikola Tesla, whose visionary experiments revolutionised the modern world. The result is a vibrant, contemporary environment that celebrates the beauty of utility, the romance of early power stations and the opulence of Deco‑era design.

The ‘Beautiful Factory’ — A Fusion of Deco Glamour and Industrial Utility

The design concept blends the faded grandeur of early 20th‑century power plants with the lustre of 1940s Palm Springs. This duality creates a dynamic aesthetic: utilitarian yet elegant, industrial yet implicitly beautiful. Every detail resonates with references to electrical innovation, mechanical movement and the transformative power of technology.

Reinventing the Shuffleboard Table

At the heart of the venue are Electric Shuffle’s bespoke shuffleboard tables, which were completely re‑envisioned by the Studio. Each table features:

• A high‑gloss custom inlaid timber playing surface
• Curvilinear forms inspired by grand ocean liners
• Decorative copper pipework and inlaid copper detailing
• Leather‑upholstered elements and laser‑cut metalwork
• Integrated gaming technology discreetly embedded within the design

The tables are meticulously calibrated for gameplay, blending classic craftsmanship with contemporary engineering.

The Ground Floor Bar — A Double‑Height Power Plant Inspired Centrepiece

The dramatic ground floor bar pays homage to early electrical transmission experiments and the aesthetic of 1940s factories. Key features include:

• A bespoke rotating light sculpture reminiscent of an electrical turbine
• Copper‑accented fluted timber detailing evoking power‑station wiring
• A tiled arch inspired by vintage power plant architecture
• Custom wallpaper suggesting patinated metals and swirling oil slicks
• A ceramic bull‑nosed bar top and fluted porcelain tiles
• Back‑lit glass block detailing referencing mid‑century Bauhaus factories
• Pylon‑inspired pendant lights suspended within the double‑height void

The bar is a theatrical, glowing centrepiece that anchors the entire venue.

The First‑Floor Bar — Electric Blue Industrial Deco

Upstairs, the first‑floor bar reinterprets utilitarian factory panelling in vivid electric blue. The design features:

• Embellished meshes and bespoke bronze domes arranged like electrical circuitry
• Oversized ceramic ‘rivet’ domes crafted by artisan ceramicists
• Mid‑century inspired column lighting
• A feature wall that digitally reimagines the ground floor turbine — a contemporary spinning wheel symbolising modern industry

This level blends industrial references with Deco‑era glamour to create a vibrant, energetic social space.

The Control Panel Wall — A Living, Powered‑Up Backdrop

A custom‑designed Control Panel wall acts as a playful homage to electrical heritage. Featuring vintage‑inspired buttons, dials and sound‑to‑light activated illumination, the installation gives the impression that the venue is “alive” and fully powered up.

Lighting Inspired by Bauhaus & Electrical Components

Lighting throughout the venue draws inspiration from:

• Walter Gropius’ Bauhaus factory designs
• Ceramic electrical resistors
• Industrial components and mechanical forms

Custom fixtures create rhythm, movement and a sense of kinetic energy across both floors.

Hand‑Painted Scenic Wall Finishes

The Studio collaborated with scenic artists to create hand‑painted wall finishes inspired by:

• Rusted and patinated metals (ground floor)
• Delicate mould blooms and faded watermarks (first floor)

These finishes add depth, texture and a sense of atmospheric ageing to the interior.

A Landmark in Competitive Socialising Design

Electric Shuffle Canary Wharf represents a defining project for the Studio — a richly conceptual, multi‑layered interior that celebrates the beauty of industry, the glamour of Deco design and the pioneering spirit of electrical innovation. By blending heritage references with cutting‑edge gaming technology, the Studio has created a flagship venue that reimagines shuffleboard for the modern urban social landscape.