The Savoy to launch pop-up Art Deco-inspired bar on its forecourt for the first time in history

The Savoy is transforming its famous forecourt into a 1920s-inspired pop-upbar for the first time in its 130-year history.

Solas will open on the Savoy Court this Wednesday. Inspired by the historic London hotel’s Art Deco and Edwardian appearance, groups of up to six visitors will be able to sit outside the hotel to enjoy cocktails and an array of seafood dishes created by the hotel’s in-house team.

Taking its name for the Gaelic for light, joy and comfort, organisers say Solas will celebrate “life slowly coming back to normal” in the spirit of the Roaring Twenties. The bar, which has been created in partnership with Bowmore Whisky, will - organisers say - offer “hope” of a new lease of life to the hospitality industry which has been decimated by the pandemic over the past 12 months.

Central to the pop-up bar, which will stay open until June 21 when all Covid restrictions are due to lift, is an enormous five-metre-wide chandelier inspired by the 62 grand lights that grace the interior of The Savoy. The showstopping artwork will send rays of light across the forecourt from suspended shards of crystal.

The Bowmore bar has been made of natural slate and granite and finished with brass by hand.

The Savoy’s drinks team have created the cocktails on offer. Rare Bowmore whiskys will also be available.

Meanwhile, the Savoy’s chefs will prepare responsibly-sourced seafood. Alongside a raw seafood menu and oyster selection, lobster rolls, gravadlax and Blue Shrimp ceviche will also be on offer.

The pop-up has been created by experience designer and luxury brand strategist Meredith O’Shaughnessy who has previously worked with brands such as Manolo Blahnik, Vivienne Westwood and Nyetimber on pop-ups themed on everything from avocados to a launderette.

She said about her project: “We wanted it to feel really special. The hotel is Art Deco themed and so we were inspired by that and the roaring Twenties. We want it to feel like the 20s are roaring back again in 2021 after a difficult year and that life is coming back to London again. This is the first time the Savoy has done anything like this, so it is amazing to see them supporting such creativity.”

Franck Arnold, Regional Vice President and Managing Director, The Savoy said: “We are living in extraordinary times and so we wanted to create something extraordinary in Solas. The name tells its story; it’s Gaelic for light, but also for joy and comfort, which is exactly what we need after a year of challenge and worry.

“It’s been a real pleasure bringing this project together with Bowmore and their creative collaborator, the Meredith Collective. There are so many affinities between our two brands; an appreciation of our incredible history, but also a strong desire to innovate. We can’t wait to open, for our team to welcome back visitors and guests, to provide that joy and create those fabulous memories for which The Savoy is so renowned.”

The Savoy - which is located just off The Strand - was opened on 6 August 1889. It is a grade-11 listed building and has hosted a number of famous faces including Marilyn Monroe, Bob Dylan, Elizabeth Taylor, The Beatles and Winston Churchill - who often took his cabinet for lunch at the hotel.

It was built by Richard D’Oyly Carte using profits from his Gilbert and Sullivan opera productions and was run by Carte’s family for over a century.

Since 2004, it has been managed and run by Fairmont hotel group.

To book, go tohttps://www.thesavoylondon.com/restaurant/solas/

Read More

Scotland’s lockdown restrictions to ease on Monday, Sturgeon confirms

Expelling Super League clubs could hit domestic broadcasting cash, experts warn

Torture and genocide to be excluded from new legal safeguards for troops

Everything you need to know about the BOSS x Russell Athletic collab