New venues on way to city centre
THE team behind some of Swansea’s most popular venues is opening two sites in Cardiff.
The new businesses on Cardiff’s High Street will replace what was once The Hashery, and will open as Old Havana Cardiff, while the former Seafood Shack next door will become Juniper Place Cardiff.
David Bellis and Dai Wakely, of hospitality brand Refining Dining Co and gin distillery Cygnet Gin, are behind the two new venues.
The two entrepreneurs own Juniper Place, Old Havana, Li’l London and The Meatery & Martini Co in Swansea as well as the live micro gin distillery Cygnet Gin at 1 York Street.
Both Cardiff properties are currently undergoing complete transformation, with the project costing approximately £2.5m.
The external facia of the buildings will be removed to allow for an indoor but outdoor feel.
Old Havana will be the first of the two to open, with its launch night planned for February 1, just ahead of the Six Nations. Juniper Place will follow in late spring.
Old Havana will opne with an extensive Cuban cocktails range, wines, spirits and beers with the full Cuban fusion food and tapas menu to follow.
Juniper Place will be offering breakfast, light bites, sharing tapas style food as well as lunch, dinner, afternoon tea and Sunday lunches.
Mr Bellis said: “When we saw that this building on High Street had come up for sale, both Dai and myself knew that the location of the properties was something we just couldn’t walk away from.
“We know that Juniper Place and Old Havana have a very strong sense of brand and both very different, but equally popular. We are so excited to introduce Cardiff to our venues.”
Juniper Place Cardiff will have a large raised but open plan private dining area overlooking the ground floor.
Mr Wakely said: “Juniper Place won’t have the large scale gin distillery that Swansea has, but Cardiff Juniper Place will be home to many smaller distilleries, where diners and customers can engage first hand in making their own gins and enjoying the distilling process.
“The ethos of Juniper Place Cardiff will very much be focused on being a gin lounge and relaxed dining environment. It’s definitely an exciting time for myself and Dave and the team who are working hard to ensure we are open on time.
“It’s full steam ahead now to the opening of Old Havana Cardiff. We’ll be recruiting for general managers shortly as well as wait staff, bartenders and other opportunities.”
The company says if people want to express an interest in employment at the new venues they should email lovetowork@refining-dining.co.uk
Mr Bellis added: “Is the timing right? Who knows after such a busy year; I thought I might have a chance to relax over Christmas but we took it as a sign that this all came about exactly one year after opening our first Juniper Place and Old Havana.
“We know that it’s something Cardiff is crying out for. We’re among some amazingly popular and credible venues with The Alchemist opposite us; Gin & Juice, Pennyroyal and the beautiful Potted Pig right on the doorstep.”