Kocour Brewery Community Hall
In the northwestern part of Varnsdorf, on the grounds of a former ceramics factory — once alive with the heat of kilns turning clay into stoneware and fireclay — a new rhythm now resonates. In this industrial heart, transformed into the Kocour Brewery, a space has emerged that bridges history and new energy. It is the community hall.
The original factory, built in 1912 by architect Anton Möller, was progressive from the beginning. Its reinforced concrete frame, rail siding, and ceramic pipes integrated into the façade speak to the legacy of industrial modernism. After decades of inactivity, the building has been brought back to life by the arrival of the brewery, which reintroduced production, hospitality, and community.
The conversion of the ground-floor hall created a venue for over two hundred guests. The formerly utilitarian warehouse space has been opened up — damaged columns were removed, and new load-bearing elements were introduced as slender steel ties. The result is a two-level venue with a gallery, dance floor, and flexible space for music, lectures, and social events.
Visitors enter through a foyer with a steel walkway and a light installation wall made of bottles bearing the Kocour logo. The welcome is both playful and dignified. The interior preserves the industrial atmosphere. Exposed concrete structures, black steel galleries, and perforated staircases featuring the cat motif create a strong visual identity. Materials were selected for their authenticity — fireclay bricks, polished concrete, oak parquet, and checker plate steel.
Two bars define the interior. One reflects the image of endless barley fields. The other glows with a digital display of beer bottles and offers a view into the fermentation room. The ceilings are decorated with suspended beer coasters — a subtle and personal detail.
Light plays a central role in the experience. Natural light streams through the original factory windows. In the evening, the hall transforms through refurbished industrial fixtures and custom lighting rings that create an intimate atmosphere. Adjustable light rigs illuminate the seating areas, while LED strips highlight the stairs and bar counters.
The community hall at the Kocour Brewery is now a vibrant place where the region’s industrial memory meets its contemporary cultural energy. It is a space where history and industrial aesthetics are transformed into experience — as rich as the beer brewed just below.
