The Liquorist
A brand-new concept that combines cocktails, sport, artisan pizza and burgers has opened in Portsmouth’s Gunwharf Quays. Formerly Bar 38, the venue has been transformed thanks to an investment of over half a million pounds from owners Stonegate Pub Company.
The Liquorist will breathe new energy and excitement into Portsmouth’s nightlife scene, offering customers a selection of glamorous cocktails, premium spirits, wines and craft beers. During the day an extensive food menu is available from 9am until 9pm, serving small sharing plates, artisan pizzas and burgers along with vegetarian and vegan options. The big screen at the bar shows the best sporting action from Sky Sports and regular events such as rum tasting nights already underway.
Taking design inspiration from The Liquorist in Leeds, the Portsmouth venue is a flexible space that appeals to a number of different demographics. Having worked on the Leeds site, design agency Spatialized approach this new location with a similar mindset. Interior Designer Dan Cowgill commented:
“The client had a loose idea and they wanted to copy the style and elegance of The Liquorist in Leeds. The challenge was that The Liquorist in Leeds was in a wonderful Victorian building and internally the decorations were very minimal because it was all about the building. The Liquorist Portsmouth is located in a pre-fabricated unit in a shopping centre so we didn’t have those characteristics to play with.
“It needed to have night time appeal and live music formed part of the brief which then led into the bric-a-brac. The name ‘Liquorist’ makes you think of the prohibition era and we had that mixed in with the music and wall decorations. It was about making it a bit more upmarket, a bit more elegant but also make it appeal to families. It’s a big unit so it’s great for food and has fantastic outdoor area. The challenge was that it had one big bar in an open space. We had break it into zones and create an area down one end where there’s a DJ and dancefloor
“It’s always great to work on venues and brand new concepts. When you get a new building, with a new concept, a loose idea from the client of a theme and who they want to appeal to then it’s great to be left to interpret that.”
Prior to opening Dale Clark, General Manager of The Liquorist, said:
“We are really excited to bring The Liquorist to Portsmouth. We’ve taken inspiration from hot new venues we found in Manchester, Leeds and London to create something really unique, stylish and special for the people of Portsmouth.”
The Liquorist in Gunwharf Keys, Portsmouth, is open 7 days a week – 11am until late.
Stonegate Pub Company
Stonegate Pub Company is the largest privately held managed pub operator in the UK, with revenues in excess of £625 million, employing circa 14,000 people. The company has 692 pubs, split into two divisions, Branded, comprising: Slug & Lettuce, Yates, Walkabout, Common Room and venues; and Traditional comprising: Proper Pubs, Town Pub & Kitchen, Classic Inns.
