The Cocktail Club: a playground for adults

What is the history of the Cocktail Club?

Wilkinson: The London Cocktail Club concept was initially conceived by John James ‘JJ’ Goodman and James Hopkins. JJ was the winner of the World’s Best Bartender award at the Cocktail World Cup in 2008 and, along with Hopkins, aimed to create a collection of bars where customers could experience the best-in-class cocktails in exciting environments with added theatre. 

In 2009, JJ Goodman and James Hopkins were the winners of the television show competition ‘The Restaurant’, which brought further exposure and the opportunity to partner with Raymond Blanc and Sarah Willingham. 

The first site that this founder group partnered on was on Goodge Street which was established under the London Cocktail Club brand. A further eight sites were opened in London over the subsequent eight years, with the first regional site opening in Bristol in 2018. London Cocktail Club’s sites are all individually unique from a design, decor and size perspective, although the quality of drinks, training and service remains consistent across the portfolio.

 What inspired the expansion of The Cocktail Club in Cardiff, and to this particular site?

Wilkinson: With Cardiff being the booming capital city of Wales and a place where people go to party in South Wales, it was a natural next decision for us – and where else better than in the heart of the action on St Marys Street. Cardiff has an up-and-coming cocktail scene, and we look forward to being a part of the action. 

What can customers expect from the new site, and what are the design features?

Wilkinson: The bar is a Victorian-style townhouse made up of three floors. Composed of an intimate basement space with a low-rise beamed ceiling and exposed brick work, leading up to a grand ground floor with front-facing windows where passers-by can peep into the party, then finally travelling up the raw iron staircase to the first floor with traditionally modernised Victorian features. Each floor has its own bar which means only a few steps to a cocktail in hand. What more could you want?

How will it be different from the other sites under the brand?

Wilkinson: Apart from the fact it’s a Victorian-style townhouse, it’s the only bar under the brand which is over three levels – which means it’s a three-floor playground for adults. Also, it goes without saying that the staff make our bars what they are – as well as the cocktails – so whichever Cocktail Club you step into, it’s never going to be the same experience as the last, as our bartenders’ personalities make the bars what they are.

What has the customer reaction towards the Cocktail Club been so far?

Wilkinson: So far we are receiving a really positive reaction with some people in the city having experienced us in London or Bristol previously. We plan on continuing to reach out to as many locals as possible and really integrating into the city. We love Cardiff and we can’t wait to get into the psyche of the party scene here.  

What led to Nightcap’s decision to remove Russian Vodka from sale, and how will this impact the business?

Willingham: The devastation in Ukraine is heart-breaking, and I cannot start to comprehend what it must be like for the people of Ukraine. It’s hard to sit here in our warm safe homes and do nothing. We have donated money, but from a business point of view we (the senior team and the staff) wanted to do something, anything to show our support, and so therefore we have removed all Russian vodka/alcohol from our bars across the whole of the Nightcap estate. It’s a little thing but the more little things we do, the bigger the impact will be.

We have also created a cocktail made entirely from Ukrainian vodka (it is a toast to love) that is available across all our bars with all proceeds going to Ukraine. As a business, we are also ready to sponsor Ukrainians across the Nightcap group (Humanitarian Sponsorship pathway) and we are in talks with Airbnb to accommodate them when they come over. We are hoping this is actioned quickly and effectively.

Is Nightcap eyeing any further sites for expansion? 

Willingham: This opening is the second new opening in Cardiff for Nightcap after it announced it would open a new Tonight Josephine in Cardiff in early April 2022.

In addition to the three new openings scheduled for this year and alongside its existing 27 sites, Nightcap has a further 24 premises under offer or in legal negotiations and continues to see favourable market conditions for site acquisitions across the country.