The Adventure Bar Co is launching a new concept in Covent Garden next month and plans to open another site this year, MCA understands.
The group, led by Kieron Botting, Bryan Lloyd, Thomas Kidd and Tobias Jackson, is opening the Escapologist at the former Clubhouse site in Earlham Street, on April 1.
Botting told MCA the offer would focus on “twisted classics” with a string emphasis on cocktails and pizza. It will be themed around a modern-day Victorian gentleman’s club with a ‘secret’ area accessed through a giant painting.
Botting said: “The Escapologist is a step forward for us. We have really pushed the offer on and we think it’s going to provide something a bit different for the area. We know the area and we have the experience to back up the vision, so we’re really excited about it.”
Botting said the company, which produced EBITDA of just under £900,000 last year, would be self-funding growth and that the company hoped to open one more London site this year and was actively looking for properties.
On market conditions, Botting said: “Consumers aren’t scared to spend money anymore but they are wary. People have become a lot more educated about what’s on offer across bars and restaurants and you need to be alive to that. Standards have to be higher than ever and you have to be offering an experience.”
The company is also looking for a new site for its jerk barbecue and rum shack concept, Dub Jam, after its trial ground floor unit above the Adventure Bar site in Bedford Street.
Adventure Bar also operates in Clapham High Street and Clapham Junction.
