Background
The Skeff Bar and Restaurant is one of the oldest venues in Galway operating as a hotel from 1850 to take advantage of the railway that ended at Ceannt Station nearby. Situated on the edge off one of Galway’s busiest thoroughfares and landmarks, Eyre Square, the Skeff plays host to a range of customers, from day-trippers in from the surrounding area, to curious tourists, students or locals in search of a place to watch a match. With 5 bars and restaurant it is one of the busiest venues in Galway city.
Projects
Working for a Galway-based design agency I was frequently called on to generate design projects for this large local bar and restaurant. Everything from the design of new bar logos to promotional campaigns and on to bespoke cocktail menus that told a story. I was frequently called upon to write and develop copy and taglines for campaigns including the ‘Our Place, Your Party’ and ‘Everyone has a Different Way to Celebrate’ campaigns.
Date
2016 – Present
Skills
Concept
Branding
Creative Direction
Design
![skeff-tofts-2_10 The Skeff's Toft's Cocktail Bar logo](https://stephenmcguigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/skeff-tofts-2_10.jpg)
Toft’s Cocktail Bar
The Skeff requested a very quick turnaround for a concept and design of a new cocktail bar. Toft’s Cocktail bar was inspired by the very popular Toft’s Funfair that visited Eyre Square and set up outside the Skeff’s front door each summer for 2 weeks. The cocktail menu was a bespoke design written and designed by myself containing histories and stories from times past along with locally flavoured made up quotes from folks talking about the fair and it’s impact on their lives.
![skeff-cocktail-menu_07 Excerpted pages from The Skeff Toft's 20-page Cocktail Menu](https://stephenmcguigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/skeff-cocktail-menu_07-scaled.jpg)
![skeff-tofts-2_08 The Skeff's Toft's Cocktail Bar promotional business cards](https://stephenmcguigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/skeff-tofts-2_08.jpg)
![skeff-tofts-2_03 The Skeff's Toft's Cocktail Bar poster campaigns](https://stephenmcguigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/skeff-tofts-2_03.jpg)
The Gin Parlour
The Gin Parlour was a project inspired by the proliferation of Gin Bars and the sale of gin in Ireland. The identity and branding was to be used in a bar within the Skeff Bar.
![skeff-gin-parlour_03 The Skeff Gin Parlour logo design](https://stephenmcguigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/skeff-gin-parlour_03.jpg)
![skeff-2_13 The Skeff Gin Parlour menu concept](https://stephenmcguigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/skeff-2_13-scaled.jpg)
![skeff-2_05 The Skeff Gin Parlour 'Coming Soon' poster design](https://stephenmcguigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/skeff-2_05.jpg)
![skeff-2_19 The Skeff Gin Parlour beer mats](https://stephenmcguigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/skeff-2_19.jpg)
Other Projects
The Skeff Bar and Restaurant launched a series of mini campaigns over the past several years highlighting particular events or promotions all requiring marketing and design. These promotions have included party’s, lunch, after-work clubs and sporting clubs and events.
![skeff_12 The Skeff 'Our Place Your Party' promotional campaign poster](https://stephenmcguigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/skeff_12.jpg)
![skeff-party_06 The Skeff 2018 'Everyone has a Different Way to Celebrate' promotional campaign newspaper ad and A1 poster](https://stephenmcguigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/skeff-party_06.jpg)
![skeff-after-work_06 The Skeff 'Friday After Work Club' campaign logo and poster design.](https://stephenmcguigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/skeff-after-work_06.jpg)
![skeff-3_07 The Skeff 'Friday After Work Club' business cards](https://stephenmcguigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/skeff-3_07.jpg)
![skeff-lions_12 The Skeff 'Breakfast For Lions' promotional campaign poster.](https://stephenmcguigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/skeff-lions_12.jpg)
![skeff-front-row_08 The Skeff Connacht Rugby 'Front Row Union' promotional campaign and A1 poster](https://stephenmcguigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/skeff-front-row_08.jpg)
![skeff-2_15 The Skeff Connacht Rugby 'Front Row Union' promotional campaign newspaper ad](https://stephenmcguigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/skeff-2_15.jpg)
![skeff-2_17 The Skeff 'Perfect Lunch Equation' promotional campaign A5 flyer and business cards](https://stephenmcguigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/skeff-2_17.jpg)
![skeff_20 The Skeff 'Everyone Has a Different Way to Celebrate' promotional campaign posters](https://stephenmcguigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/skeff_20.jpg)
![skeff-raceweek_06 The Skeff 2017 Raceweek promotional campaign posters](https://stephenmcguigan.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/skeff-raceweek_06.jpg)