From the outset, the collaboration between the Swedish brand Orrefors and head chef Björn Frantzén has not been based on design as an end in itself, but rather on a carefully curated component of the gastronomic experience. The latest chapter in this partnership, launched on 26 March 2026, introduces the Bar Glass Collection – a range of glassware designed exclusively for cocktail service.
This builds on the original 2024 project, when Frantzén, together with Orrefors, created a comprehensive fine-dining concept. From the beginning, it was clear that the ambition was not merely to create aesthetically pure glassware, but a functional tool capable of withstanding the rigours of top-tier restaurant operations.
Glass designed for use, not just for show
The Bar Glass Collection was developed in collaboration with sommeliers and the Frantzén Group’s bar team, which is reflected in its practical handling. The collection comprises five core glass types – lowball, highball, Nick & Nora, martini and coupe – covering the full spectrum of modern cocktail service, from aperitifs to classic and contemporary mixed drinks.
Each shape has a clearly defined function. The focus was on working with aromas, controlling dilution and refining the overall drinking experience. The glass is designed to enhance the character of the drink, not to overpower it. The result is clean, subtle silhouettes with very thin walls and a smooth transition between the bowl and the stem.
The manufacturing process is another key aspect. The collection is available both in a machine-made version intended for everyday use and in a hand-blown edition, which makes the most of the material’s extreme lightness and delicacy. Both versions, however, share the same design language and functional parameters.
Fine dining and the bar as a single entity
The addition of bar glassware is no coincidence. It reflects a broader shift in gastronomy, where the boundaries between the kitchen and the bar are gradually blurring. In the Frantzén Group’s approach, the drinks programme is a fully fledged part of the experience, not merely an accessory. This is reflected in the view of glassware as a tool that carries the same weight as a plate or cutlery.
The Bar Glass Collection therefore supports the effort to create a unified visual and functional whole across the entire service. The guest does not perceive individual components separately, but as one consistent experience in which every detail – including the glassware – plays its part.
With this step, the collaboration between Orrefors and Björn Frantzén confirms a trend that has become increasingly pronounced in recent years: an emphasis on a holistic approach to the guest experience, where design, function and sustainability are not separate disciplines but an interconnected whole. In this context, the new bar glassware is not merely a product, but another step towards redefining what modern gastronomic service can look like.
Source: Frantzén Group
