Introducing The Bar at Big Easy Covent Garden
Big Easy Covent Garden is set to open in February 2014. The jaw-dropping, nine-metre bar will be situated on the ground floor and will boast over 500 bottles with a focus on brown liquor of all types, including American, Scotch & world whisk(e)ys, Tequila & Mezcal, Caribbean rum, aged gin, French and Spanish brandy. Imported, purpose built cocktail machines will dispense frozen slushies and other well-loved cocktails, such as an “Old Fashioned” or a “Vieux Carre” on tap. Not only will the restaurant boast the Kings of Bar.B.Q, Kenny Callaghan and Pete Daversa, but the bar will also feature some high calibre talent too.
Running the show as Executive Bartender for Corrett restaurants, will be award winning Lee Potter Cavanagh, formerly Group Bars Manager of HIX restaurants. With 13 years’ bar experience under his belt, Lee is looking forward to pushing a service style that London hasn’t seen before. Notably, one where you feel comfortable and cared for and, what’s in the glass and minimising the time it takes between bottle and mouth, is more important than the style or the moves of the bartender.. Working closely alongside Lee, Big Easy has recruited Nathan Merriman as Bar Manager at the new Covent Garden restaurant. Nathan was previously Head Bartender and Assistant Bar Manager at The Club at The Ivy and prior to that The Savoy. Nathan was recently named 2013 Young Bartender of the year 2013.
Whilst the food menu will be based around the finest Bar.B.Q pork and beef cuts, rare-breed British steaks, freshest local seafood and lobster, as well as the slushies and cocktails on tap, the bar menu will include Big Easy’s “Boozy Juice” - simply booze and freshly squeezed juice, “X-rated shakes” –creamy cocktails reimagined as milkshakes, “Pickle backs” – the favourite whisky & cucumber combo & others, and finally some options for teetotallers as well. The bar will stock a selection of craft beers sourced both locally in London and the best from all over the United States. The wine list will be very focused, covering all bases, but also with white chosen specifically to pair with lobster and red to match with Bar.B.Q and steak.
The site has a formidable history: it is located in a former electrical power station built in 1883, owned by the Gatti Brothers and first used to light their own restaurant, 'The Adelaide’on the Strand. The interior will honour the building’s original heritage, retaining many authentic features, such as copper conduits, brickwork, and steel and concrete girders, complemented by industrial lighting. Exposed timber beams and lots of Big Easy appeal - neon lobsters, Americana and nautical touches will add to the charm – set over three floors and 10,000 sq ft, forming an awe-inspiring space.
Big Easy will boast live music seven nights a week with two to three sets a night featuring some great musicians, with perhaps a few stars of the future making an appearance. The bar at The Big Easy Covent Garden will provide the most enjoyable American cocktail and drinks offering in the UK.
Big Easy Covent Garden, 12 Maiden Lane, London
W: bigeasycoventgarden.co.uk
