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Pole-dance pub to become island paradise
FIRST it was an old Irish pub then they wanted to have pole-dancing.
Now Islington’s most famous pub, the Archway Tavern, situated on a busy and run down traffic island, is to be turned into a Polynesian paradise.
Forget spit and sawdust, pints of Guinness and rock hits blasting from a juke-box. This will be wall-to-wall bamboo, exotic cocktails and gentle swaying Hawaiian music.
One of Britain’s top designers specialising in tropical deccor has been employed to convert part of the pub into a 70-seater diner and bar.
The same firm, Stoke Newington-based Cheeky Tiki, who created London’s popular Polynesian restaurant Mahiki, near The Ritz hotel in Mayfair, are behind the new landmark venture.
The Mahiki, which has included royals as diners, has just won a best new bar design award in the UK.
Architect Jamie Wilson, a director of the firm, said that they haven’t decided on a name for the Archway restaurant yet, but work is about to begin on the new venue, which should be ready to open in April this year.
He added: “Polynesian restaurants were very popular back in the 1960s and 1970s.
“It’s very much about escapism and getting away from London’s gloom. Archway, with its slightly run-down appearance, seems a perfect spot.”
A chef has yet to be appointed but the menu is expected to include oriental dishes from China, Japan and Thailand, such as chicken satay, prawn wonton and barbecued pawns.
“If we can get it right we will be attracting people from Crouch End, Highgate, Camden and beyond,” said Mr Wilson. “Archway is definitely on the up and we believe this will improve the area even more.”
The pub’s bar will be maintained, although that too is due to be completely refurbished.
For Crouch End GP Dr Imtiaz Sardar, whose family own a major interest in the tavern, the scheme is a make or break attempt to make it pay.
Members of the family had originally mooted the pole dancing scheme, although it was not his idea, but that was refused by a licensing committee and he has no plans to appeal.
“I have served the community all my life,” he said. “And I want the Archway Tavern to be a big success and loved in the community.
“But business has been very poor.
“This restaurant idea is an opportunity to create a dining renaissance in the area.”
Local Lib Dem councillor Stefan Kasprzyk said that he was delighted by the idea of a new restaurant for the roundabout. “It’s wonderful news,” he added. |
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