With the recent opening of the Design Bar in Battersea, there has been some confusion among students about its affiliation with the RCA Students' Union and the ArtBar. In this article, we will clear up any confusion.
The ArtBar and The Design Bar - What You Need to Know
We want to clarify some confusion about the new Design Bar/Dyson Cafe in Battersea. Firstly, after a slight delay, it is now open! Secondly, despite some similarities in appearance and name, it is not a part of the RCA Students' Union. Our space is the ArtBar in Kensington.
ArtBar, in Kensington: We have a pool table, see?
The ArtBar - The Historical Bar of the RCA Students' Union
The ArtBar has been the historical bar of the RCA Students' Union and it continues to be our one and only bar. We are proud to say that the ArtBar belongs to the RCASU and is solely run by current students. Any profits that we make from the ArtBar go back into the Students' Union to fund events and activities for students.
Benefits of the ArtBar
We also have some great benefits for our students at the ArtBar. For those who smoke, we have a designated smoking area on our terrace. We offer cheap drinks, including our famous CocktailMania on Mondays and Thursdays, where you can get two cocktails for only £9. We are also open to hosting exhibitions and we have a pool table for those who want to play a game with friends.
The Dyson Cafe in Battersea - A Different Space
Now, let's talk about the Design Cafe in Battersea. It is not affiliated with the RCA Students' Union or the ArtBar. Although it may appear to be part of the same franchise as the ArtBar, it is not. The RCA SU Sabbatical Officers of 2021/2022 tried to challenge that and offer a different name that would not generate this confusion.
Summary of the Differences
In summary, if you are looking for a place to hang out with your fellow RCA students, have some cheap drinks, play pool, and even exhibit your artwork, the ArtBar in Kensington is the place to be. But if you find yourself in Battersea and want a place to sit and eat your lunch or do a spot of work, the Dyson Cafe may be a good option.
We hope that this clarifies any confusion and helps you make informed decisions about where to spend your time and money. As always, we encourage you to support your fellow RCA students and the RCA Students' Union by visiting the ArtBar in Kensington.