Nightclub entrepreneur Piers Adam has teamed up with the owner of Newcastle’s Fat Buddha to launch new concept, Antler, with plans for a wider rollout.
Adam, the chairman of Mahiki Group, has set up Gary Hutchinson, owner of the restaurant and former commercial director at Sunderland football club.
The new company is investing £750,000 to transform the site at Newcastle’s 55 Degrees North. The restaurant will remain but will undergo a rebrand and move to the upper floor of the site, with the ground floor to be transformed into Antler – an alpine ski lodge inspired bar and restaurant.
Among the plans are the provision of an exclusive brand of Tank Beer and Alpine- themed home cooked food, along with the creation of an in-house bakery.
At the same time Antler will feature a regular programme of live entertainment
“Mahiki is without a doubt one of the most exciting hospitality brands in the world and it is their style and ethos which people will see at Antler,” said Hutchinson.
“We will be offering their well-known drinks brands such as Mahiki Rum and Copper Dog Whisky as well as the signature Mahiki cocktails which will be something entirely new to the North East.”
The first floor Asian restaurant will see some of the current favourite dishes remain, but at the same time incorporate a number of new concepts and along with Antler will offer the full Mahiki cocktail range.
“Antler will be something entirely new for the North East and is the first of many plans for PAGH Ventures,” said Hutchinson.
“And we are hopeful of opening our next site before the end of 2018.”
Adams said: “I’m so excited for the project in Newcastle.
“I’ve always enjoyed the energy of the city and its people, who are arguably among the nicest in England.
“While I’ve always wanted a presence in the city, I always hesitated until I met Gary Hutchinson of the Chyrsalis Leisure Group.
“He personifies everything that is great about the North East and most importantly he passionately cares about improving standards in the food and beverage sector.
“We will start this partnership in Newcastle and have big plans together for the months and years ahead”
