Inception Group unveils new Mr Fogg’s
The venue will be the first Mr Fogg’s in Soho and the story behind the brand will follow Phileas’ wayward half-brother Frank launch a pawnbrokers in a bid to capitalise on the family name and newly acquired artefacts from around the world.
The 140-capacity site will be split into three areas – The Pawnbrokers Counter, The Strong Room and The Textiles Store – and is due to open on Wednesday 22 February.
Its exterior feature the authentic pawn shop insignia alongside a large bay window, illustrating wares for sale, which will change seasonally.
Design features
When guests enter the venue, they will be met with The Pawnbrokers Counter, which is the first of two bars, surrounded by high stools, poseur tables and banquette seating looking onto the Soho streets.
The Strong Room is inspired by the vaults and deposits that used to sit behind the counters of pawnbrokers while The Textiles Store includes another bar at the back of the site, made of vintage carpets and rugs alongside walls lined with Flemish tapestries and a vaulted ceiling draped in materials from across the world.
The upholstery will be rich in textures and tones alongside original parquet flooring as well as an array of curiosities throughout. Tables and bar tops will be made from display cases, showcasing the wares for sale.
Cocktails will include:
Fool’s Gold
£13.50
Peanut butter fat-washed with Dewar’s 12yr Scotch whisky, Martini Riserva Speciale Ambrato vermouth, Boulard Grand Solage Pays d'Auge calvados, chestnut syrup and vanilla bitter, all served in a jewellery box
The Scales of Justice
(single £14.50 and sharing cocktail £28)
Dewar's 8yr Ilegal Smooth Scotch whisky, Noilly Prat Dry vermouth, Drambuie Scotch whisky liqueur, Montenegro Amaro, crème de cacao brown liqueur, saffron and chocolate bitters, served on an antique scale.
The Mahgreb
(single £13.50, or sharing for four £52)
Bacardi Carta Blanca rum, Italicus bergamot liqueur, star anise honey water, fresh mint, fresh lemon juice, absinthe and Peychaud’s Bitters, served in a Moroccan tea set.
Priceless Heirloom
£13.50
Bombay Sapphire gin, Essentiae lemon verbena liqueur, raspberry shrub, lime juice, topped with Franklin & Sons rose lemonade, served in a ming style vase.
Rich history
Banquette and sofa seating occupy most of the space, making it idea for groups. The site’s ceiling will showcase a plethora of pendant lights and items from Mr Fogg’s travels at different heights.
Miniscule font will be printed on the menus alongside a jewellers loupe for guests to live out the valuation techniques used by pawnbrokers.
Designed by group bars manager Simone Spagnoli, the menu will pay tribute to Victorian pawnbrokers.
Inception Group co-founder Charlie Gilkes said: “We are hugely excited to launch this new iteration of Mr Fogg’s in the heart of Soho.
“The rich history of the area has inspired this new site from the interior design to the drinks and we are looking forward to welcoming customers in February.”
This latest venue joins Inception Group's estate, which features a number of brands including Mr Fogg's and Cahoots as well as its other sites across the capital such as Barts, Maggie's, Bunga Bunga and the recently launched Control Room B at Battersea Power Station.
