London bartender Matthew Dakers is to open his first venue, 11th & Social, in Norwich.
The bar, which opens May 17th on Upper King Street in the historic area known locally as Tombland, will serve a rotating menu of highballs, signature and classic cocktails.
The decor is said to be inspired by the New York bar scene but sympathetic to the building's period features, while the soundtrack will see a mixture of funk, boogie, disco, and acid jazz music.
Daker’s 25-year hospitality career has seen stints at London bars Hoxton Pony, Trailer Happiness and Mahiki, Dry Martini in Barcelona, while more recently he worked in training roles at The Cocktail Club (formerly LCC) and The Ivy Collection.
The cocktails at 11th & Social will draw inspiration from Daker’s past, with his 2010 Bacardi Legacy-winning cocktail Angel’s Draft among his signatures, while classics such as the Daiquiri takes its spec from London’s Trailer Happiness and the Dry Martini recipe is borrowed from his time in Barcelona. Highballs, meanwhile, will change monthly.
Dakers said: “It’s exciting to be opening my very first venue! Expect excellent service which is individually approached and drinks that showcase fresh and authentic flavours.
“The menu will change periodically in order to support sustainability and seasonality. The atmosphere will be relaxed in the early hours and more energetic as the night goes on.”