This storyteller-turned-designer has shaped some of India’s most evocative spaces—his latest, in Gurgaon

In an era where social media is flooded with fleeting trends and aesthetic perfection, Freddy Birdy stands apart as a voice that lingers. His words—witty, evocative and deeply personal have made him India’s favourite digital storyteller, drawing in a devoted audience that includes Bollywood A-listers and cultural connoisseurs. With 480K followers (and counting) on Instagram, Birdy’s feed is a blend of social commentary, celebrity observations, and reflections on love, longing, and the art of living well.

But beyond the viral posts and his signature word-paintings, Birdy is a man of many creative pursuits. His artistic journey extends into restaurant and bar design, where his ability to craft spaces that exude mood, movement and indulgence sets him apart. From the opulent Kimono Club to the sultry, electric Japonico, Birdy doesn’t just design restaurants, he builds experiences that resonate.

As Bazaar India delves into his latest creation, Japonico, we uncover the mind behind the vision. What drives his aesthetic? How does he blend sensuality with sophistication in his spaces? And why, for Birdy, is a great restaurant never just about the food, but about the way it makes you feel.

The vision: A sexy, modern bar with a Japanese soul

Japonico, located on Gurgaon’s bustling Golf Course Road, is more than just a restaurant, it’s a concept. A place where drinking, dining, and dancing flow into each other without constraints. As Birdy describes it, Japonico was always meant to be “sexy, modern, Japanese in spirit with liquor, cuisine and essence.” It is this layered yet cohesive vision that transforms the space into a dynamic, immersive experience.

“If Japonico were a person,” he muses, “it would be Bianca Jagger in a cheongsam.” A character both poised and untamed, draped in timeless glamour.

A design that speaks in contrasts

 

The interiors of Japonico are a masterclass in juxtaposition. Dark, moody tones are offset with amber highlights. Bold textures meet inviting details. The electric atmosphere is balanced with warm, intimate touches. Birdy has an eye for contrasts, his designs celebrate the tension between sleek modernity and organic sensuality.

One detail he’s most proud of? The reflective ceiling. “Kitchens and restaurants should all have reflective ceilings,” he says, adding, “Food is the new sex.”

Aesthetic, energy and the art of naming

Birdy is known for imbuing his spaces with a signature sexiness, an intimacy, a scale and, of course, a great name. “The Kimono Club, Yo! China, Whiskey Samba, Japonico,” he lists, “all my names.” Names, much like design, carry an energy, a sense of place and promise.

If he had to sum up Japonico’s aesthetic in one phrase? “Crazy with a dash of sashimi.”

Freddy Birdy’s dream restaurant and the Japonico vibe

Birdy describe his dream restaurant, “A modern, banging dim sum place,” he envisions, “with little old Chinese ladies wheeling dim sum carts, 80’s rock on the stereo, thick carpeting, a tiny dance floor, a glamorous wall-to-wall fish tank with baby piranhas.”

Japonico might not have piranhas (yet), but it carries the same audacity. It’s not just about what you eat or drink, it’s about how you feel. It’s about the moment you step in and immediately sense that you’re part of something electric, something that lingers long after the last cocktail has been sipped.

As for the soundtrack to Japonico? “Love to Love You Baby by Donna Summer or Crazy by Gnarls Barkley,” concludes Freddy Birdy because, like the restaurant itself, they exude mood, movement and an unmistakable sense of cool.

Lead image: Japonico/instagram

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