"Glory Hole" (GH) a pop-up restaurant inspired by provocative concepts such as Punk Royale and Stanley Kubrick's film "Eyes Wide Shut".
GH was conceived as a space where avant-garde gastronomy and theater merged into a unique experience. The idea was to offer a 12-course menu, with each course accompanied by a story, music, and a theatrical performance. Karl was responsible for designing a menu as irreverent and transgressive as possible, which made it easier for the theatrical leader to select music and create a happening that perfectly matched each dish. The goal was clear: every dish had to be Michelin-star quality while also defying traditional culinary expectations.
The team behind GH was divided into three groups: staff, actors, and the kitchen. Karl, as head of the kitchen, carefully selected chefs who could manage the kitchen in his absence, as he was actively involved in the theatrical performances. Instead of conventional training, the staff followed a strict set of rules— have any trouble following those rules? You’re out. The creation of the menu focused first on how to present the dishes in the most creative way possible, and only then Karl decided what kind of food could be offered in that format. How did he come up with new ideas? Well he would write them down in a small notebook as they come to his mind while drinking and fucking around the city nightlife.
Among the most wild and controversial dishes were: "My Asshole," pink chocolate candies made from a mold of Karl's own butthole; "Sink Step," blanched vegetables presented on a sink step to resemble leftovers after dishwashing; "Ashtray," a dish featuring salvei fish served in an ashtray with lit salvei cigarettes; and "Rat Trap," beef tartare served on a cocked rat trap.
Executing these unconventional presentations while maintaining Michelin-star quality in a makeshift kitchen within an abandoned building was one of the biggest challenges. Customer feedback was not a concern for Karl and his team, “don't like the food? Fuck off”. Despite the controversy and criticism, GH filled a void in Estonia, offering a space where people could truly be free, both sexually and mentally. The atmosphere during a typical night was erotic, punk, and nerve-wracking, evolving into a full-blown “nightclub” with drinking, dancing, and sometimes even sex.
Though the "Glory Hole" pop-up only ran for around 40 services, they left a lasting impression on everybody who experienced it. It was transformative for Karl, helping him overcome personal struggles and reshaping his perspective on life. While he acknowledges that Estonia might not be ready for such excitement, he remains proud of his work and the freedom it represented. Looking back, Karl sees "Glory Hole" as more than just a pop-up restaurant; it was a platform for self-expression and a lesson in the costs of running such an unconventional establishment in a conservative environment.
“For me GH was a cure for depression. I burned myself there to ashes and rose as a new person with a new perspective of life. I used GH to express myself in ways I never could in real life. And of course, the sex - how much I had there, and how much I learned about sexuality. I’m really grateful for this project. Most Estonians would never have this opportunity.”
