Deep Space 9 was a space station originally constructed as a uridium mining station during the Cardassian occupation of Bajor. In 2369, when the Cardassians ended their occupation, the Federation Starfleet assumed control of the facility at the request of the Bajoran provisional government. When the station, at the order of commanding officer Benjamin Sisko, was moved to the terminus of the Bajoran wormhole, Deep Space 9 became of vital strategic importance to the entire region and played a key role in the victory of the Alpha Quadrant powers in the Dominion War.

Deep Space 9 Promenade | (2369)

The Promenade was the center of commerce and a major hub of social activity on the space station Deep Space 9. Located in the station’s upper core section, just below the Ops module, the Promenade was home to a large number of stores, service providers, as well as a wide range of dining and recreation facilities. Prominent among these was Quark’s Bar, which provided not only food and beverages, but also offered entertainment in the form of gambling, as well as a wide range of holosuite experiences.

Deep Space 9 Infirmary | (2369)

Located on the lower level of the Promenade of Deep Space 9, the infirmary served as the station’s primary medical facility, where Starfleet personnel, Bajoran residents, and visitors alike could receive medical care. The infirmary was under the supervision of the station’s chief medical officer, Dr. Julian Bashir, during the time in which the station was commanded by Benjamin Sisko. The facility was compact but well-equipped, featuring an examination biobed with state-of-the-art diagnostic equipment, and also housed a pharmaceutical storage unit with a full supply of treatments and medications. As a station that frequently saw action due to its proximity to the Bajoran Wormhole, the infirmary was often busy treating injuries from combat situations, alien diseases, and exposure to unknown environments.

Deep Space 9 Quark's Bar | (2369)

Quark's Bar, Grill, Gaming House and Holosuite Arcade was a central fixture of life aboard Deep Space 9 during the station's early years as a Bajoran and Federation-administered outpost. Located on the Promenade, the establishment was owned and operated by the Ferengi bartender Quark, who turned it into a vibrant social hub frequented by Starfleet officers, Bajoran citizens, merchants, and travelers from across the Alpha and Gamma Quadrants. Quark's Bar offered a wide variety of services designed to appeal to a variety of species and taste. The main floor bustled with patrons enjoying synthehol, exotic interstellar cuisine, and various games of chance including Dabo and Tongo, with several holosuites on the upper level. Quark himself was not above bending the rules, occasionally skirting Federation law and dabbling in smuggling, arms trading, or black market transactions, all while claiming plausible deniability. Despite its questionable ethics, the bar became an unofficial meeting ground for station personnel and visitors alike.

Station Model (Physical)

As portrayed in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV, 1992-1999)

The Deep Space 9 filming model was designed by illustrator Rick Sternbach. The model featured three massive “docking arms,” which gave the station its distinctive shape, emphasizing the station’s role as a center of interstellar commerce. The model was designed by Tony Meininger, and it was filmed at the Image G visual effects facility under the guidance of visual effects supervisors Rob Legato and Dan Curry.

Promenade Set (Physical)

As portrayed in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV, 1992-1999)

Deep Space Nine’s Promenade set was built on Stage 17 at Paramount Pictures under the direction of production designer Herman Zimmerman. The massive set, one of the largest interiors ever built for any Star Trek production, featured a distinctive alien architectural style. Zimmerman, who had supervised the design of the U.S.S. Enterprise-D for Star Trek: The Next Generation, strove to give the Promenade – and all the station interiors – a strange, vaguely threatening atmosphere, a deliberate departure for Star Trek.

Infirmary Set (Physical)

As portrayed in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV, 1992-1999)

Deep Space Nine’s infirmary set was designed to reflect the grittier, more utilitarian nature of the Cardassian-built station. The set was relatively small compared to the sickbays seen on The Next Generation or Voyager, reinforcing the idea that Deep Space 9 was not originally intended as a Federation facility but was instead adapted from its Cardassian origins. The set featured distinctive curved Cardassian architecture and dim lighting, contrasting with the bright, sterile appearance of Starfleet sickbays. The infirmary set was located on Stage 17 at Paramount Studios, alongside many of the core sets of Deep Space Nine. 

Quark's Bar Set (Physical)

As portrayed in Star Trek: Deep Space Nine (TV, 1992-1999)

Quark's Bar was one of the most iconic and frequently used sets on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, serving as a narrative centerpiece for the show's diverse range of stories. The set was built on Stage 17 at Paramount Studios and was one of the largest and most detailed environments on the show. The bar featured a serving counter, gaming tables, and a second level balcony that housed the holosuite entrances. A third level was planned and designed, but never fully realised, although spiral staircases were constructed to allude to its in-universe existence. Quark’s Bar became a favorite among cast and crew not just because of its visual appeal, but because it often served as a social crossroads for the characters, allowing for ensemble scenes, comedic moments, and emotionally resonant exchanges. From a production standpoint, the bar also symbolized Star Trek: Deep Space Nine's departure from the clean-cut aesthetics of earlier Star Trek series.