Driven by its mission of making sake accessible for everyone, The Periodic Table, a sake bar and taproom located in Emeryville’s Public Market, serves as an intimate and educational bar experience. The overall design calls upon contemporary notes with roots stemming from the owners’ passion for geometry and chemistry. Half-hexagon patterns, inspired by the benzene molecule, remain a recurring visual element throughout the space.

To encourage conversation, the bar projects outwards as a half hexagon, bringing bartender and guest closer. Those sitting at the bar can rest their arms on a dark blue countertop made of recycled paper. Laser-cut oak panels, mounted from the wall behind, allow shadow and light to play above the shallow counters that line the perimeter while pendant lights shaped as Erlenmeyer flasks accent the space. Wood joists span the length of the space, creating a ceiling plane while celebrating the taproom’s space-within-a-space nature. The joists reference traditional Japanese architecture and allow natural light to pour in, establishing a bright and welcoming vibe for those who may be new to the world of sake.