Premier Hospitality

601 Queen’s Rd

601 Queen’s Rd
Written by Roma Publications

601 Queen’s Rd

Offering a relaxed, all-day experience, 601 Queen’s Rd is a neighbourhood bar located in the heart of Wimbledon.

601 Queen’s Rd is the latest addition to Darwin & Wallace’s collection of independent neighbourhood bars within London villages. The venue offers an all-day drinking and dining experience, serving exquisite coffees to handcrafted cocktails and seasonal, locally sourced dishes from breakfast to pudding.

The design, overseen by Box 9 Design, is Scandinavian inspired. The building’s distinctive glass dome forms a centrepiece and helps flood the space with natural light. Speaking to Premier Hospitality, Box 9 owner Lou Davies explained some of the venue’s distinctive features:

“This is the fifth bar that we’ve done for the Darwin & Wallace group. With this project they were looking to transform what was a fairly unattractive ‘80s dome on a shopping centre into something beautiful. The previous fit out was very dated, dark and tired but the space itself had incredible potential. We took a lot of inspiration from Scandinavian designs and greenhouses to try and create a really light, airy, clean and modern space.

“A fantastic, shuttered Kitchen elevation stands up at a high level at the back. The central, circular bar is inspired by an old roll top bar. There’s also an incredible wraparound terrace and we really went to town with the beautiful pergola and planting and a mix of furniture. We’ve really made the most of that and because it’s all glass walls and dome the whole space feels very green.

“We sourced a lot of old timber from Belgium and Holland. There are a lot of beautiful, crafted old pieces that you imagine have been worn from years of weathering. The challenge was making it standalone as destination from the shopping centre. There’s a small shopfront entrance and then you go up a big staircase into the main space.”

Lou added:

“They are a very important client for us. It’s great because every time they want to do something distinctive and design-led and we’re a very design-led practice. It’s incredible to have a client that comes back time and again but is also looking for something different every time.”

As a bar first and foremost, the 601 Queen’s Rd circular bar is populated with a carefully curated selection of wines, from Italian proseccos like the Ca’ Morlin DOCG and crisp whites such as Picpoul de Pinet, Jadix 2016 to deep reds like the Malbec, La Florencia 2016. The bar also features a wide range of craft, draft and bottled beers including Five Points Pale Ale.

The menu which runs throughout the collection of independent neighbourhood bars, celebrates seasonal and locally sourced produce using artisanal ingredients and produce from its own kitchen gardens. Sustainability is at the heart of the menu, using British and local producers to create sumptuous dishes. Scratch-cooked on site, dishes vary from slow-cooked Sunday Roasts to Rotisserie Pineapple and Chilli Puddings, providing something for everyone to enjoy throughout the whole day.

Mel Marriott, Managing Director, Darwin & Wallace, comments: “We are delighted to have opened in the bustling heart of Wimbledon, a quintessential London village. The rarity of the space is incredibly special, the terrace which wraps around the space opens into the evening all year round. The bar is light with signature features. We have worked with our talented artisans and makers to bring 601 Queen’s Rd to life with bespoke furniture, hand-picked artwork, ceramic tiles, unique lighting, and so much more, forming its own unique version of the Darwin & Wallace address.”

For more information, please visit www.601queensrd.co.uk.

601 Queen’s Rd

BB Contracts

Established in 2010, BB Contracts specialise in interior refurbishment and fit-out in the hospitality, retail, hotel, commercial office and education sectors. An uncompromising approach to quality has helped the company establish a solid reputation with clients and suppliers alike.

The majority of BB Contracts workload comes from repeat business clients and consultants, keen to maintain a strong working relationship. The firm prides itself on its team’s ‘can-do’ approach and its personal touch, which is underlined by Director involvement at a project level.

Chris Miles, Associate Director, said:

“601 Queens Road was the 5th Darwin and Wallace scheme delivered by BB Contracts over the last four years. The partnered approach that we take with Darwin and Wallace and their professional team helps unlock project cost efficiencies and deal with buildability issues prior to commencement on site.

“Budget constraints often mean compromising the design but our aim is to offer better value options without doing this, whether through supply chain involvement or material alternatives. We have completed five of the six Darwin and Wallace bars which is testament to the fact that the BB Contracts ‘way of working delivers’ results and keeps Clients happy.”

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Roma Publications