At Bootlegger Bars, we believe that without great people, we have nothing.
I spent 35 years in the hospitality industry, running some of London’s most renowned bar businesses before bringing my own vision to life through Bootlegger Bars. With seven vibrant venues in Bristol, Cardiff, Exeter, Leeds, Brighton, Richmond, and now Bath, they are more than just bars — they are communities built on passion, music, and the art of hospitality.
My hospitality journey started as a 16-year-old in an elite restaurant in North Wales, where I learnt the discipline and craft of hospitality. From there, I made a bold move to the USA, where I managed a restaurant in Kansas before returning to the UK to make my mark.
Breaking sales records at Ha! Ha! Bar & Canteen and Novus Leisure’s Henry’s Café Bar in Covent Garden, I built myself a reputation for leadership, team-building and driving success. With a philosophy that centred around creating teams that feel like family and empowering them to be part of something bigger.
It’s a belief that was reinforced in me, while managing the legendary Sugar Reef nightclub and restaurant in London, where we served A-list clientele and generated a multi-million pound enterprise. Beyond the numbers, it was about cultivating an atmosphere where people wanted to work — and customers wanted to return.
After spending five years running my own bar in Manhattan, USA, I returned to the UK with a vision: to create a chain of bars that combined the timeless energy of 1920s-1960s music with an unbeatable hospitality experience. That’s how Bootlegger Bars was born.
At Bootlegger, we don’t just serve drinks — we create moments. Whether it’s our vintage-inspired cocktail menu, expertly crafted by passionate bartenders, or the electrifying live music that fills our venues, every night at Bootlegger is designed to keep the heartbeat of our customers high.
People often mistake us for a speakeasy, but we are actually a bar based on when prohibition ended and the party really started. Remembering an era of liberation and opening up to good times, live music and finally being able to socialise and enjoy the best alcohol and let rip! That is what we try to capture at Bootlegger – every night.
A PEOPLE-FIRST PHILOSOPHY
Success in this industry isn’t just about great cocktails or a stylish venue — it’s about the people. My ‘heartbeat philosophy’ ensures that every guest’s experience is seamless, from the moment they step in to the moment they leave.
We hire people who love this industry as much as we do. From the moment a new team member joins, they’re welcomed into the Bootlegger family, learning not just the technical skills, but the deeper art of hospitality. We look for individuals who care — who bring energy, personality, and a genuine passion for delivering unforgettable experiences.
The hospitality landscape has evolved, and we know that customers need a reason to choose us. That’s why Bootlegger Bars go beyond just serving drinks. We offer cocktail masterclasses where guests can learn to craft the perfect margarita or espresso martini, bottomless brunches that bring groups together, and even swing dance nights that transport you to a different era.
Each Bootlegger venue is a space where guests can let their hair down, escape the everyday, and be part of something special. And at the heart of it all? Our people.
THE FUTURE OF BOOTLEGGER BARS
March 2025 saw the opening of our seventh bar in Bath, marking another milestone in our journey. We are on a mission to open many more and we are not stopping there. We have not lost our belief that everyone likes to go out for a good time. Our success isn’t measured in numbers alone — it’s in the smiles, the laughter, and the memories made in our venues every night.
At Bootlegger Bars, we are selling emotions, not just drinks. We believe in treating every guest like royalty and making every visit unforgettable. That’s what makes us different. That’s what makes us Bootlegger.
I hope everyone joins us for an experience like no other — because at Bootlegger Bars, the night is always young, and the music never stops.
