Creative cocktail bar and restaurant The Alchemist – working to the mission “theatre served” – will open its biggest venue yet in the capital in a prime location at Canary Wharf on Friday (29 November).
The flagship site on Reuters Plaza will feature two outdoor terraces, a 100-cover restaurant, three bars and a grab-and-go option serving freshly baked bagels from Shalom Hot Bagels.
Its theatrical cocktails will be served to the sounds of resident DJs and customers will be housed in a bespoke design by Macaulay Sinclair, with crisp geometric lines with precious metal detailing, set against dark wood panelling and bronzed mirrored walls.
The bar group already has a presence in capital with three London sites, Bevis Marks at Liverpool Street, St Martin’s Lane and most recently Old Street. But Canary Wharf will be the biggest at 6,200 sq ft.
The Alchemist launched its first site in Manchester in 2010, and an expansion will take the group to 19 sites nationwide.
What about The Alchemist launch week?
To celebrate its new opening, the devilish brand has planned days of immersive happenings, all for free.
A different Theatre Served production will take over the bar for five nights, including former Cirque du Soleil performer Lee Thompson. Meanwhile, smoke, fire and ice will dress the brand’s Christmas cocktail collection.
From The Alchemist menu
3 of the best from the food menu
- Special Fried Rice – prawns, squid and vegetable fried rice topped with a fried egg (£13.50).
- Lamb rump and kofta, with flatbread, houmous, pomegranate seeds, harissa yoghurt and fruity basmatic rice (£18).
- The Moving Mountains Burger (v), 100% plant-based with ‘Next Level’ burger sauce, served with fries or house salad (£13).
3 of the best from the cocktail menu
- Bubblebath – Tanqueray Gin, Aperol, Chambord, Lemon, Apple, Fairy Liquid (£8.75).
- Lightbulb Moment – Tanqueray Gin, Pimm’s, Double Dutch Ginger Beer, Bristol Syrup Raspberry, Lemon, Mint (£9).
- Smokey Old Fashioned – Woodford Reserve Whiskey, Maple Syrup, Dilution, Jerry Thomas Bitters. Smoke. The Original (£9).
What they say about The Alchemist
The Alchemist at Canary Wharf
Simon Potts, managing director of The Alchemist, said, “Canary Wharf is the perfect location for our London flagship site. We’ll be offering busy workers respite from the City, with our spacious terraces, all-day dining and expertly crafted cocktails. The new site will have all the quality and theatre found at The Alchemist, but with its own twist tailored to Canary Wharf.”
Camille Waxer, of Canary Wharf Group, said, “We are very excited about welcoming The Alchemist to Canary Wharf. They bring an abundance of theatre to their bars and restaurants, with striking interiors, delicious food and a unique and unconventional approach to mixology.
“They will be located in one of our busiest hubs at Canary Wharf with great views of the Estate from their two outdoor terraces. It will be a great opening not to be missed.”
For more information, go to the website.
Don’t forget
It’s a big day for Canary Wharf on Friday, 29 November, with the opening of Electric Shuffle.