Tucked away under Covent Garden Market, Stereo is the latest live music and cocktail bar set to join the London scene later this year from international hospitality brand, Experimental Group. Inspired by the vibrant late-night cultures of New York and London, complete with undertones of Parisian chic, Stereo will offer a masterfully curated mix of music, food and drinks. A place to arrive for an aperitif, stay for dinner and dance into the early hours.
Consulting on the food will be Chef-Restaurateur Andrew Clarke (Acme Fire Cult, and formerly of Brunswick House, St Leonards, Pilot Light Campaign), offering a menu of American inspired bar classics to those dining in the restaurant, as well as lighter snacks available throughout the entire venue until late.
Andrew Clarke comments, “I’m delighted to be working with the Experimental Group team – they are pioneers in creating destination bars, hotels and restaurants and Stereo is set to be another incredible and unique venue.”
Accompanying the food will be an extensive drinks menu featuring London heroes, South Bermondsey microbrewery Partizan and Thames Distillers (creating Stereo house vodka and gin blends), as well as the likes of Biercraft, Hine Cognac and The Lakes Distillery, alongside an exceptional cocktail menu. Sustainability will be a focus – spirits will be stored in large 25l tanks to save on glass and transportation usage, and there will be no single-use plastic on site.
Central to the offering will be a dynamic and eclectic music programme each night – a house band will offer relaxed vibes, before the stage welcomes a rotating series of resident DJs and curated one-off artist performances, all overseen by Cassius Consultancy. Production company High Scream is also creating a unique and intimate stage set-up, complete with an L-Acoustics sound system.
The vision of award-winning hospitality design studio, Afroditi (Lucky Cat by Gordon Ramsay, Dishoom, Rosewood Hong Kong, Bala Baya) the 500 person capacity venue will feature a central island bar, raised stage and 40-cover restaurant. The interiors will capture the timeless values of an old-school New York style bar while bringing elements of fun. The space will feature a metal cast eagle and bespoke 14-metre long wall mural. Afroditi has pushed boundaries designing a bar incorporating metal detailing running vertically around the bar sitting underneath 88 glowing globes with a high reflective ceiling, creating an endless height around the bar.
Afroditi Krassa comments, “It was December 2020 when we started envisioning Stereo with Experimental Group, London was about to enter its second lockdown. The idea of creating a venue where we could bring 500 people together under one roof to celebrate music, culture and community felt brave, if not utopian. We designed Stereo to feel like a well lived-in American cocktail bar, sumptuous and indulgent whilst robust, welcoming and honest.”
Experimental Group Director, Xavier Padovani comments, “We’re bringing together the very best in the industry to create a timeless venue filled with positive energy. We want Stereo to be a place for everyone – whether you’re meeting for a drink after work, need a spot for dinner for a group celebration or want to dance the night away, the venue will cater to Londoners and visitors looking for a great night out in the city.”
