Orchid to open new Living Room
Orchid will open its first new Living Room venue later this year when it converts a Prohibition bar site at St Katherine Docks in East Smithfield, London.
The company took over the operation of the Living Room chain when Premium Bars & Restaurants went into administration last year. The company has also opened its first two evolved Living Rooms sites — one in Nottingham and one in Leeds.
The new look features contemporary glass and chrome fixtures coupled with metallic and gold shades to create a lighter, brighter feel of "relaxed elegance". Other new features include "Champagne walls" and private members' sections.
The revamp retains the essential modular character of the Living Room, with a range of areas for different needs and occasions. Zones across the site include:
• The Living Room — the main bar and ground-level casual-dining area with booth seating for a relaxed atmosphere. This area also features the iconic Living Room baby grand piano.
• The Dining Room — a formal dining experience catering for up to 90 guests.
• The Study — an entirely revamped private members' bar with a chic cocktail lounge feel.
• 7 Below — a high tempo late-night bar and club (previously called Mosquito), boasting a brand new layout and relocated bar.
• The Vampire Suite — a VIP suite within the private members' bar.
Orchid plans to add another 50 pubs to its portfolio by the end of 2010, with a further 100 in 2011.
It has acquired four pubs in recent months: the Bread & Cheese, Benfleet; the Snow Goose, Farnborough; the Crown Point, Sevenoaks; and the Cock Inn, Wing. Orchid sees potential for further growth across its carvery (both value and contemporary), Dragon, Free House Dining and Modern British segments.
