Michelin-Starred Restaurant Owner Will Open Debut Bar in Victoria

Following the announcement last week that chef Jason Atherton would open a new site on the doorstep of his old mentor Gordon Ramsay’s Asian eating house, he has confirmed that his restaurant group The Social Company is behind a new bar — Pavlova’s — inside the Victoria Palace Theatre, on Victoria Street, in Victoria.

The 20-cover theatre bar is Atherton’s first: it is launched in partnership with the theatre’s owner, Sir Cameron Mackintosh, and is named after the famous Russian ballerina Anna Pavlova. on top of the theatre. Pavlova’s is described as the “perfect hub for theatregoers, and those living and working locally.”

Atherton said: “I’m delighted to be launching Pavlova’s in Victoria’s bustling theatre district in partnership with Sir Cameron Mackintosh. The Victoria Palace Theatre is a stunning building and we’re honoured to now be a part of its longstanding history.”

The drinks list, put together by Social Company bar manager, Jay Doy, will “showcase the creative flair seen across all of Atherton’s bars.” Doy will oversee a menu that focuses on gin, with “a hidden gin cupboard storing over 38 varieties from around the world.” The signature cocktail, ‘The Dying Swan’ (gin, elderflower, citrus, cucumber and herbs, £9), is named after Anna Pavlova’s storied dance and “features a music box that opens to reveal a rotating ballerina and the cocktail.”

Last week, Atherton, who in the past twelve months has reshaped his London portfolio, announced he will take over dining operations at The Biltmore Hotel on Grosvenor Square in Mayfair. It is directly opposite Ramsay’s Lucky Cat, on the old site of the Michelin-starred Maze, which Atherton oversaw for five years.

As well as cooking for Donald Trump at 10 Downing Street earlier this month, Atherton announced Mayfair’s Little Social would pivot from French to British, and he sold Marylebone’s Social Wine and Tapas. Plans for a new, 16-seater called H.O.M.E. next to Michelin-starred Pollen Street Social, and moves to reopen Sosharu in Soho are thought to be underway.

Pavlova will also open throughout the day, serving croissants and coffees, as well as a selection of snacks. “Speciality panini,” charcuterie, and cheeses will be available for lunch and dinner.

Mackintosh, added of his coup: “When I restored and extended the [theatre], I planned to open part of the building as a bar available to the general public, not just theatregoers. I wanted to partner with one of London’s most brilliant restauranteurs — and to my mind Jason Atherton is top of the bill.”