Cocktail chain to mix it up at new location

A DECADENT cocktail chain is set to open its latest bar in Cardiff. The Botanist already has branches in Manchester, Birmingham, Newcastle and Leeds.

Now, an application has been put in by parent company New World Trading Company for it to open its first venture in Wales in Cardiff city centre.

The application is for units 5 to 10 Church Street to be turned into a bar and restaurant.

The venue is the latest in a boom of cocktail bars opening in the city.

The Alchemist has already announced it will open at the former Natwest bank on St Mary Street next March.

Secret bar The Dead Canary opened at the end of 2015 with Dirty Martini following in October 2016, after Be At One opened across the road.

The Pennyroyal cocktail lounge has opened on High Street.

The description of The Botanist on its website describes itself as a “secret garden”.

It reads: “It started with a seed, an idea to create a secret garden of food and drink.

“A place where antiquities and trinkets hang from the walls, and resident botanists craft unusual concoctions.

“Some arrive for the live music, some for the conversation; but here at The Botanist, all can enjoy a wondrous occasion.”

The venue serves themed cocktails described as being “interesting combinations of fresh fruit and citrus...alongside much more that mother nature has to offer”.

Some come served in watering cans and there are also drinks served in “pots and planters”.

Their venues serve a full gin list as well as gin carafes.

Food includes nibbles, starters and mains – which include deli boards, pies, hanging kebabs and barbecue food.

The units have previously been home to a Poundstretcher store and most recently the Atma vegetarian restaurant.

The licensing application is for the bar to be allowed to play music and serve alcohol from 10am until 2am every day.

South Wales Police has objected to the application in a bid to prevent crime and disorder and prevent public nuisance.

The city centre in an area where police routinely object due to high numbers of incidents.

Cardiff council’s licensing department has also objected due to the local of the bar.

The licensing hearing will be held on Friday, September 15 at City Hall in Cardiff.