Dianei 4 - A Bohemian Gastropub Where Every Corner Tells a Story
Nestled in the heart of Bucharest, hidden on a street lined with ivy-covered interwar houses, Dianei 4 is a true gem among the numerous establishments that beautify the cityscape of the Capital.
Located in the heart of Bucharest, hidden on a street with interwar houses covered in ivy, Dianei 4 is a true gem among the numerous venues that beautify the urban landscape of the Capital. This gastropub welcomed us with a bohemian atmosphere and a decor that preserves the charm of old boyar houses with high stoves and walls decorated with floral patterns.
The GalleryLocal was opened in 2012, and the main aspect that underpinned the fitting works was the attempt to bring back to the public an old building with superb architecture, preserving and trying to bring to light all those design details that once made it full of beauty.
Vlad Plaiasu, co-owner of Dianei 4, will tell us more about the story of this venue.
What is the concept of Dianei 4 venue?
I don't like concepts that are too clear in the case of bars and restaurants. I especially don't like them as a customer. I avoid going to places that are too branded or too hip or too select. I believe that behind a concept or brand that is too ostentatious there aren't very many special things to be found in terms of the menu, events, or service quality.
This fact is confirmed to me almost every time I go out and as a result we tend to go with family or friends to places where the menu quality is very good in terms of diversity and products, or to well-organized events with content. And this is probably the reason why at Dianei we started from the first day with a solid menu.
I remember that we were among the first bars with a large list of wines served by the glass. This was so rare in 2012 that it was quite difficult for us to convince suppliers to work with us.
The menu and events were the first two directions we seriously addressed. Nothing goes on the menu without being tasted and discussed with Ella (my wife) and me.
It's probably what every bar, restaurant or club owner does: they build their venue to their own taste, and when we go out we like to have options on the menu and I like to think that we can also offer options for as many tastes as possible, at least at the level of Budapest.
In parallel, we continued to work on the house and only when we finished the repairs and furnishing in all corners did we feel that a concept had taken shape.
Dianei 4 is first and foremost a home. I believe this is how it has been perceived by most people who come here. It's not for nothing that it's called Dianei 4, which is actually the address. Those who came here named it Dianei 4 and we liked it.
How long did the fitting works last?
The fitting works are still ongoing. When we opened in 2012, we had worked two very hard months and barely had basic functionality. Today we are expanding the kitchen, renovating the basement, the bar and there is still a lot to be done.
What materials did you use?
It was quite simple from this point of view because we started in a beautiful house since it was built and where most things were clear. We just had to repair and adapt the materials to what was already there.
I never really asked myself that question: what materials should we use? I used what was needed, what was already in the house, obviously in their modern variants.
Where did you buy the furniture and other decorative elements?
The house had fourteen stoves, four being valuable and the rest were seventies and eighties terracotta. Of the four beautiful ones, only one could be repaired to be functional, we converted it and heat with wood in winter. We carefully disassembled the other three and built the bar. This was the first decorative element.
Then came the chandeliers, Claudiu, one of the project initiators, found a second-hand furniture shop near Obor and it was quite easy to choose from.
I then bought Thonet furniture. Some of it is new but the other part is chairs purchased online or from a second-hand furniture store near Deva. A few chairs are original Thonet with the original "stamp".
The rugs followed, one inherited from my great-aunt's grandmother, was in my room as a child, then in our child's room and today it is in the room with the stove. The rest of the rugs, lamps, and other furniture were received from friends and family.
Anything new we bring must fit in and subordinate itself to the house and especially the remaining paintwork on the walls which is very special both in terms of technique and as a historical document. There are clients who see Diana as part of the "ruin pubs" concept in Budapest and are tempted to leave their memories on the walls.
I don't think anything angers me more than these small attacks on the original painting in Diana.
What is the total area of the work?
The land area is approximately 450 square meters and the house has 117 square meters per level.
Can you tell us what the allocated budget was, approximately?
At this moment I can't even estimate. I wish I knew too, and Ella keeps proposing that when she has time she will gather all the invoices to get an idea. There have been many stages and changes and we have worked constantly. Every time we mainly developed the functional part of the bar and kitchen.
All these improvements include a lot of equipment that is not related to the house but to the serving flow. It's definitely a six-figure sum in euros.
How would you describe the style of the interior design? What influences did you have?
We started working on March 25, 2012. I remember that one evening, during the first few days, with only the headlamp light because we didn't have electricity yet, I started cleaning a wall and discovered the painting under the "limewash" of the 90s. I think the style was subconsciously decided then. I ran home and told Ella very excitedly.
What followed was simpler, we cleaned the walls and everything we added was in sync with what remained from the 1930s house, going through all the stages and functionalities up to today.
In short, Diana 4 is an old, elegant house, as it has become after decades of wear and tear and sometimes even abuse. We just converted its functionality and built a bar/restaurant the way we liked it, with options, substance, diversity, atmosphere.
Did you ask for the opinion of an architect before starting the renovation?
We asked for several opinions from several architect friends and acquaintances. I don't think we followed any of them to the end. We adapted everything to the functionality of the bar with the utmost respect for what the original building was in Diana 4.
Today I am very happy that Diana is not in anyone's portfolio and is actually what remains of the bourgeois house of the 1930s with all the scars of its guests. Somehow, the opinion of the architect who built the house in Diana 4, whom we don't know, mattered the most.
How would you describe the people who frequent Diana 4?
Broad-minded, yuccies, choosy, opinionated in the best sense of the concepts.
What types of events do you host?
In recent years we have organized and hosted many events and many concepts, from theater plays, concerts, film screenings, parties, exhibitions, fairs. Some have remained and we have consolidated them.
In 2012 we hosted some of the first Yard Sale fairs in Bucharest. In the first season it worked so well that it was replicated in many other places. In 2013 and 2014 we declined it together with Anca and Gabi who organize Yard sales, and today we work with three registered brands: Yard Sale®, Analog Bazar®, be CYCLE Bazar®.
We organize a mini festival every year for friends and collaborators, and we kind of repeat it in a series of concerts and DJ sets, the first season of events at Dianei with Poetrip, Toulouse Lautrec, We singing Colors, Riley and Rigus, Vasile.
The parties have always worked very well and this winter we will have a very solid program and I am currently working on replacing the sound system with one that will be among the best in Bucharest.
We liked Dianei 4, so we invite you to visit it too. They have a rather interesting wine list, and something from the menu will surely catch your eye. To stay up to date with events at Dianei 4, follow their Facebook page.
Located in the heart of Bucharest, hidden on a street with ivy-covered houses, Dianei 4 is a true gem among the many restaurants that beautify the urban landscape of the Capital. This gastropub welcomed us with a bohemian atmosphere and a decor that preserves the charm of old manor houses with high stoves and walls decorated with floral patterns.
The establishment was opened in 2012, and the main detail that underpinned the furnishing work was the attempt to recreate for the public an old building with superb architecture, preserving and trying to bring to light all those design details that once made it full of beauty.
What is the concept of Dianei 4? I don't like concepts that are too clear in the case of bars and restaurants. I especially don't like them as a customer. I avoid going to places that are too branded or too hip or too select.
I believe that behind a concept or brand that is too ostentatious there are not very many special things to be found in terms of the menu, events or quality of service.
This fact is almost confirmed to me every time I go out and as a result we tend to go with family or friends to places where the quality of the menu is very good in terms of diversity and products, or to well-organized events with content. And this is probably the reason why at Dianei we started from the first day with a solid menu. I remember that I was among the first
How long did the furnishing work take? The furnishing work is still ongoing. When we opened in 2012, we had worked two very hard months and barely had basic functionality. Today we are expanding the kitchen, renovating the basement, the bar and I still have a lot to do.
What materials did you use? It was quite simple from this point of view because we started in a beautiful house since it was built and where most things were clear. We just had to repair them and adapt the materials to what was already there.
I have never asked myself this question: what materials should we use? I used what was needed, what was already in the house, obviously in their modern variants.
Where did you buy the furniture and other decorative elements? The house had fourteen stoves, four of them being valuable and the rest were seventies and eighties terracotta. Of the four beautiful ones, only one could be repaired to be functional, we converted it and we heat with wood in winter. We carefully disassembled the other three and built the bar. This was the first decorative element.
Then came the chandeliers, Claudiu, a close friend, found a second-hand furniture shop near Obor and it was quite easy to choose from. Then we bought Thonet furniture. Some of it is new but the other part are chairs bought online or from a second-hand furniture store near Deva. A few chairs are original Thonet with the original stamp. The carpets followed, one is inherited from my great-grandmother
I would describe the style as a blend of old and new. The influences are primarily from the house itself, which dates back to the 1930s. I remember on one of the first evenings, working by flashlight because we didn't have electricity yet, I started cleaning a wall and discovered the original paint underneath layers of 90s plaster. I think subconsciously the style was decided right then. I rushed home and excitedly told Ella about it.
What followed was simpler. We cleaned the walls and everything we added was in sync with what remained from the 1930s house, carrying its history and functionality through to today. In short, Dianei 4 is an old, elegant house, shaped by decades of use and sometimes even abuse.
We simply converted its functionality and built a bar/restaurant as we liked it, with options, substa
Did you consult an architect before starting the renovation? I sought opinions from several architect friends and acquaintances. I don't think I followed any of them to the letter. We adapted everything to the bar's functionality while showing the utmost respect for the original building at Dianei 4.
Today, I am very happy that Dianei is not in anyone's portfolio and is essentially what remains of the 1930s bourgeois house with all its scars from its inhabitants. In a way, the opinion of the architect who built the house at Dianei 4, whom we don't know, mattered most.
How would you describe the people who frequent Dianei 4? Broad-minded, yuccies, choosy, opinionated in the best sense of these concepts.
What types of events do you host? In recent years, we have organized and hosted many events and concepts, ranging from theater plays, concerts, film screenings, parties, exhibitions, to markets. Some have remained and we've consolidated them. In 2012, we hosted some of the first Yard Sale markets in Bucharest. It worked so well in the first season that it was replicated in many other places.
In 2013 and 2014, I developed it together with Anca and Gabi who organize Yard sales, and today we work with three registered brands: Yard Sale®, Analog Bazar®, be CYCLE Bazar®.
Every year we organize a minifestival for friends and collaborators, and in a way, we repeat a series of concerts and DJ sets from Dianei's first season of events with Poetrip, Toulouse Lautrec, We singing Colors, Riley and Rigu.
