Peels Records & Bar reopens with new interior designed to improve over time

After nearly two months closed, Peels Records & Bar in Bandung has reopened with a refreshed interior developed in collaboration with local studio Nouv.

The project focused on material, sound, and atmosphere, introducing more wood throughout the room, alongside a rebuilt stainless-steel bar and DJ booth designed to age naturally over time rather.

The choice of stainless steel was deliberate. Rather than a material that conceals wear, the team chose one that shows it. Scratches, fingerprints, and patina accumulate visibly over time, which was the intention.

Behind the sound bar, artist Arin Sunaryo contributed an installation working with shadow, light, and the spatial qualities of the room.

Owner Fritz Yonathan says the decision to close and renovate came gradually rather than from a single moment.

Speaking to Mixmag Asia, he explains: "There wasn't one big dramatic moment, it was more just the feeling that getting too comfortable can keep you from growing. I think that's when we started saying yes to new conversations, which led us to work with Nouv, Arin Sunaryo, and Michael Madrid on the update. It all felt natural and ended up bringing Peels closer to what we always wanted it to feel like, while making the space feel more comfortable for guests too."

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The venue sits inside one of Bandung's heritage buildings and has been operating for nearly six years.

Yonathan says having a restored Dutch colonial heritage building as its home always guided decisions about the space: A lot of the feeling and rhythm, honestly, comes from the building itself. It already had a strong character before we arrived, so many of our decisions were really just about responding to it naturally.

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"The limitations of the space actually helped shape how people move through the room, how the bar flows, and how the sound travels," he adds.

Despite the changes, one thing is set to remain: "We'd never want to lose the human touch behind the space and the products."

Amira Waworuntu is Mixmag Asia’s Managing Editor, follow her on Instagram.

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