New openings for Brucan Pubs, The Blind Rabbit and Lunar Pub Company

Edinburgh’s first retro Arcade bar opens ​

Edinburgh’s is to get its first retro arcade bar, NQ64.  The Lothian Road bar has been transformed into a neon splattered drinking den, with NQ64’s signature UV graffiti designs adorning the walls, floor and ceiling.

It will be home to a large selection of retro arcade machines and a bunch of classic consoles. More than 30 retro arcade game machines will be available with fan favourites and cult classics from the past five decades, operated using distinctive NQ64 tokens, which are purchased at the bar. When the tokens run out there are free-to-play classic consoles including the Playstation 1 and N64 featuring the classic Golden Eye.

It will be serving up a range of game-themed cocktails such as the Prosecco-based Princess Peach, the Blanka with Tequila and melon and Mad Max with rum, absinthe and fire. A wide selection of packaged beers will be available including a some from Edinburgh based breweries Pilot Brewing and Campervan Brewery, to wash down a selection of retro crisps. 

The bar officially opens on Thursday 12 August.

Brucan Pubs breathes new life into third pub with pipeline of venues to come ​

Brucan Pubs, founded in 2018 by ex-ETM ops director James Lyon-Shaw and ex-The Club at The Ivy Head Chef Jamie Dobbin, it to open its third pub at The Greyhound in Finchampstead, Berkshire. The pub group also has plans for further sites over the next 18 months. 

The Greyhound will open its doors on 20 ​August and a few weeks’ later the team will open Goswell & Bird’s, a traditional village store sat alongside the pub. 

The pubco currently operates two other pubs under the Brucan Pubs umbrella: The Greene Oak (Windsor) and The Drumming Snipe (Mayford). The Greyhound was a hugely popular local pub that lost its way and eventually closed during the 2020 lockdown

The menu will offer daily, hyper-seasonal specials, and plenty of British game, meat and fish. Serious meat lovers can expect 45 day-aged native and rare breed steak on offer (as well as a hero dish of Beef Wellington for two).

Wildlife zone and play area opens at north Cornwall pub ​

Publicans Martin and Natalie Watts at the Travellers Rest in Trevarrian Hill are helping local children learn more about the environment with the opening of a wildlife zone and eco-friendly play area. 

These have been opened with the expert help and a Community Services Fund Grant from Pub is The Hub, the not-for-profit organisation that helps pubs to diversify and provide essential local services.  

The wildlife zone has a pond as well as chickens and ducks plus hedgehog shelters have also been built to allow for their hibernation. A camera with video link will mean that the garden and pond can be streamed live so everyone can see the wildlife in action. An eco-friendly play area, which uses recyclable materials including tyres, has also been opened at the pub to ensure that children can exercise and stay active.  

Martin Watts said: “It has been a challenging year with the pandemic but we are looking to the future and hope the new garden and wildlife area will prove a real asset to local schools."

Pub is The Hub regional advisor Reg Clarke said: “This pub is really putting itself at the heart of its community and helping with the education of local children. It is also a safe place for people to meet and connect, which will help combat the impact of social isolation after the lockdowns.” 

First major venue to open in Nottingham post-lockdown 

The Blind Rabbit, Nottingham’s New York inspired bar, grill and live entertainment space is set to open this summer – and becomes the first major venue to open post lockdown in the city centre.

The team behind three of the city's most popular bars, the Magic Garden, Das Kino and Penny Lane today revealed their plans for the Blind Rabbit, which is in Weekday Cross. The heritage building has been empty since the closure of Belgian restaurant Belgo in June 2019. 

Michael Johnson, operations director at the Blind Rabbit, said: “We are thrilled to be opening our newest venture in Nottingham’s Lace Market – it is an absolutely beautiful building over three floors and it has a fantastic space outside for people to enjoy the summer weather.

The venue will occupy a 5,000 sq ft three-floored Victorian red brick building.  The transformation of the venue is now under way and will be open to the public in late August. 

Lunar Pub Company to open new dining room 

Lunar Pub Company, which runs South Kensington pub The Hunter’s Moon, is set to open its second site in Ebury Street, London in September called the Ganymede. 

The new 30-cover bar and 46-cover dining room is the brainchild of owner director Hubert Beatson-Hird and owner chef Director, Oliver Marlowe 

The venue will serve quality British food with  Lunar Pub Company staples such as its foie gras parfait and scallop ceviche, a sharing fillet of beef wellington alongside innovative daily-changing menus. 

Ganymede will also offer brunch on Saturdays and roasts all-day Sunday. 

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