SHAFTESBURY ANNOUNCES THE OPENING OF NIGHTJAR IN KINGLY COURT

Shaftesbury announces the opening of Nightjar in Kingly Court which boasts a spacious 1,755 square ft. The brand new bar opening brings a new dynamic to Carnaby’s late night scene with live music and experimental cocktails set to be a brilliant new spot for all. Music will include a mix of the most popular genres of the 20th century, Jazz, Swing, Blues, Salsa, Afrobeat, Funk and Soul.

Julia Wilkinson, Restaurant Director at Shaftesbury says: "We are thrilled to announce that the iconic basement speakeasy and jazz club Nightjar is coming to Carnaby. The venue, which is steeped in Carnaby musical heritage, will showcase a late-night and live jazz offering to the area, adding a completely new dynamic to the Kingly Court offer. Nightjar also brings a large array of classic cocktails, vintage spirits, and liquors alongside the concept of an exciting new live music destination. With something for everyone, we are delighted to introduce existing and new Carnaby customers to the pioneering Nightjar experience."

Nightjar, the iconic East London speakeasy, has announced it will open its second site in the heart of London’s West End this March. Nightjar Kingly Court will recreate the low-lit magic of the Old Street original, complete with a lavish range of rare, revived and original cocktails, late-night live music, prohibition-era decor and a menu of vintage spirits and cocktails dating back to the mid-nineteenth century.

Founders Edmund Weil and Roisin Stimpson say: “We’re delighted to have the opportunity to bring everything we’ve learnt over the last decade of Nightjar to such an iconic space in what was once the home of live music in London. The city has changed so much in that time, and as we started to emerge from the pandemic, we felt there was an even bigger appetite for what Nightjar has always provided - skilfully created cocktails, live music, and hospitality that culminates in an overall experience that can’t be found elsewhere.”

World-renowned as a pioneer of the London cocktail scene, when Nightjar opened more than a decade ago (it celebrated its tenth birthday in lockdown) founders Roisin Stimpson and Edmund Weil quickly put Old Street on the global cocktail map. As famous for its lavish – and spectacularly garnished – drinks as for its late-night live jazz, blues and swing, the multi-award-winning destination venue is still consistently named alongside the best in the world. Nightjar Kingly Court will bring the much-loved DNA and essence of Nightjar into a striking and beautifully designed new space. The 85 cover venue will provide an ideal spot for theatre goers, cocktail lovers and couples alike to enjoy innovative cocktails and live music late into the night.

The interiors, from east London-based interior architecture and design studio Day trip, will evoke the Roaring Twenties, bringing the jazz age into the twenty first century with stunning Art Deco interiors accented by soft rose gold and mirror detail and bespoke illustrated glass panels by Mosley Thorold Architects Ltd. The bar itself is located under a beautiful staircase and facing the stage, where live jazz, blues and swing performances will be held each night until the early hours. Dark corners and intimate booth seating along the walls offer a secluded spot for romantic evenings, and, for the first time ever, guests who want to experience the masters at work can take a seat at the bar.

The subterranean space holds an illustrious place in the history of London’s iconic music venues; in the 1930’s and ‘40’s it existed as The Blue Lagoon Club, the city’s first black-owned music club, before becoming Club Eleven in the ‘50’s under Ronnie Scott. Over the years, it has hosted Bob Marley, The Who, The Beatles and The Rolling Stones, alongside many more, and live music will remain at the heart of Nightjar, alongside world class cocktails. The menu will continue to honour three distinct historical eras in 20th Century cocktail-making - Pre-Prohibition, Prohibition and Post-War - alongside beloved Nightjar Signatures and large-format Sharing Cocktails. Guests can also take advantage of Nightjar’s unrivaled selection of vintage spirits and liqueurs, offering a once-in-a -lifetime taste of spirit history as far back as 1863.

Notes to editor:

Nightjar:

All cocktails are priced from £12 , Non-Alcoholic cocktails are priced at £8
Additional charge is added per head and goes to live performers.
Nightjar Kingly Court Reservations: info@nightjarcarnaby.com
Opening Times: Wednesday & Thursday - 5pm-1am
Friday & Saturday - 5pm-3am
Address: Nightjar Carnaby
Unit G15
Kingly Court
Fifty Carnaby
49-51 Carnaby Street
London
W1F 9PY
Website: barnightjar.com
Instagram: @nightjar
Speakeasy Entertainment Group

Founded by Rosie Stimpson and Edmund Weil, Speakeasy Entertainment are the team behind the award-winning Nightjar, which opened in 2010 and was voted one of the top three bars in the world at 50 Best Bars 2012, 2013 and 2014. In November 2015, Oriole was launched in Smithfield Market and was named ‘Best New International Cocktail Bar’ at the Spirited Awards 2016, ‘Best New Bar in the City’ by Design My Night, runner up for ‘Most Stylish Bar’ at the Time Out Bar Awards and was nominated for 50 Best Bars 2016. The latest addition to the Speakeasy Entertainment Group is Swift, launched in November 2016 in Partnership with Bobby Hiddleston and Mia Johnasson, formerly of Milk & Honey. Since opening, it has been equally award-winning and in 2020 opened a second site in London’s Shoreditch.

Carnaby

Carnaby is in the heart of London’s West End, where over 100 retail brands of quality and distinction and over 60 independent restaurants, cafes and bars can be found across 14 streets, including the world famous Carnaby Street. Carnaby is a unique and iconic experiential shopping, dining and leisure destination. Due to the current situation, Carnaby’s shops, restaurants, cafes and bars have temporarily closed, however we continue to support brands who are trading online and we look forward to welcoming visitors back to Carnaby when it is safe to do so.

Follow @CarnabyLondon and visit Carnaby.co.uk for full updates, news and information.

Shaftesbury

Shaftesbury owns and manages a 16 acre property portfolio in the liveliest parts of London's West End. The portfolio comprises of restaurants, cafés, pubs and shops, extending to apartments and offices in the highly popular, sought-after and prosperous locations of Carnaby, Seven Dials and Chinatown, together with substantial ownerships in East and West Covent Garden, Soho and Fitzrovia. All our properties are close to the main West End Underground stations, and within ten minutes’ walk of the two West End transport hubs for the Elizabeth Line, at Tottenham Court Road and Bond Street.

@shaftesburyplc shaftesbury.co.uk

For further information and images please contact Meghan Ryan/ Hannah Deacon at Sister London Meghan.Ryan@sisterlondon.com / hannah.deacon@sisterlondon.com