Boozy Cow donates profits to local charities
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ntrepreneur Garreth Wood has announced that all of the profits from his Boozy Cow burger bars in Edinburgh and Aberdeen will be committed to local charities. Mr Wood (pictured above with the first four beneficiary charities, CHAS Edinburgh, the ARCHIE Foundation, VSA and the STV Children’s Appeal) owns the Speratus Group which runs a number of bars and restaurants including 99 Hanover Street in Edinburgh and the Illicit Still and Amicus Apple in Aberdeen. Says Garreth, “Initially Boozy Cow was just another addition to the Group but we came up with the idea of channeling all our extensive charitable work through the one brand. “It’s true to say my accountant had a problem with the concept of every single penny of profit going to charity but, for me, this is not about a commercial enterprise.” The group predicts that once the venues are running to full capacity, the combined donations to charity will reach £1m. Bar Florence is a new cocktail and wine bar opening this month in Bearsden. The cosmpolitan bar, owned by Lucy Marshall, situated on Roman Road will be focusing on serving a large selection of ‘around the world’ cocktails and ‘vintage afternoon teas’.
Have you heard? Oscars Bar on Bath St is currently undergoing renovations and will re-open shortly as a new gin bar named Bathtub & Co. General Manager, Stephen Heggie told DRAM, “We’re completely transforming the venue so it suits the demographic of Bath St. There will be a focus on gin, with most of our cocktails being gin based. We will also be focusing on serving freshly made organic food throughout the day.”
Ask Italian has opened a new restaurant in the former Vice Bar on Shandwick Place in Edinburgh. It is the fourth Scottish restaurant for the chain, owned by Azzurri Restaurants Ltd, which also has the Zizzi restaurants. 4 DRAM JULY 2015
24 ROYAL TERRACE Boutique hotel 24 Royal Terrace in Edinburgh, has re-opened following a change in ownership and £1m refurbishment. The hotel, which was previously called the Ailsa House Hotel and owned by Townhouse Hotels, has been bought over by Scottish entrepreneur and art collector, Alan Campbell. The renovations have embraced the original architectural features of the 200 year old building and the new-look hotel boasts a bold interior design. The boutique 16 bedroom hotel also its own private art collection estimated to be worth £500,000. The Royal Terrace bar, named ‘rt’s bar’ serves classic champagne afternoon teas and has a a range of finely selected whiskies.
Facelift for historic pub Wintersgills on Great Western Road has reopened following a full interior refurbishment. Paul Shevlanne (pictured) who leases the pub from Belhaven said, “This is the biggest change to the bar for the past 25 years and it has really made such a difference. We have given Wintersgills the refresh it needed without losing its history, and added new parts that fit with that classic Art Deco style.” The update cost six figures and was financed by Paul and owners Belhaven.
Badabing! Al Capone and Tony Soprano are regulars in this new Edinburgh bar, Badabing... but only on the walls. Badabing is a sister bar to The Ratpack Piano Bar and is a new American gangster themed bar located in Fountainbridge Square. Owner, Tony Pia decided to open the venue following the success of his Badabing bar in Wishaw. Says Tony, “I have always loved American gangster movies and there is nowhere else like it in the city, so I thought why not?” The 400 capacity bar and grill is specialising in serving up classic American- Italian comfort food. An array of live musicians will also be providing entertainment in the evenings.