IF COVID has taught us anything, it’s shown us how to do things differently. And that’s what Scottish entrepreneurs Phil Donaldson, Richard Davies and AJ McMenemy have certainly set out to do with the opening of a flagship Abandon Ship Bar in Glasgow, complete with a showstopping casual dining restaurant, bar and retail space.
Welcoming guests from next month on Mitchell Street, their long-awaited arrival in the city marks the second Abandon Ship Bar opening for the innovative MacMerry 300 Group – whose first Abandon Ship Bar opened in Dundee in 2019 and their 14th for the group.
Designed for lovers of street art and good times, the daring new lifestyle concept stands out from the crowd, marrying together bold independent retail, incredible artwork and the best of modern Scottish hospitality. Pushing the boundaries of exciting leisure, drinks and dining, the Instagrammable venue will set the bar high for memorable days and nights out.
Set over two stylish floors, the immersive setting is the first of its kind in Scotland and set to bring the wow factor, with impressive interiors containing over 150 square metres of striking, hand-drawn artwork from Abandon Ship creative director, Richard Davies, that took weeks to complete. Drawing inspiration from traditional tattoo art, pop culture and his own weird sense of humour, Davies artwork plays homage to the brand’s roots and provides the perfect urban setting for contemporary dining and hanging out.
Specialising in Americana soul food that’s bursting with flavour, guests can expect imaginative small plates from their kitchen alongside juicy burgers, mouthwatering Southern-style wings, as well as original cocktails and craft beers from their team of top bartenders.
Meanwhile, downstairs is dedicated to fashion and will be home to lifestyle brand Abandon Ship Apparel, in a ‘Dressing Room’ laden with cool stuff and exclusive merchandise that you can browse while having a drink.
Speaking about the upcoming launch, operations director, AJ McMenemy said:
“With Abandon Ship Bar we are returning to our cultural home and our brand roots with our opening in Glasgow. Rich set up Abandon Ship Apparel in the East End of the city almost a decade ago, before we opened our first bar in Dundee in 2019. This feels like our homecoming and we can’t wait to show Glasgow what we’re all about.”
Abandon Ship Bar is currently undergoing a transformation to its trademark style and is set to open on September 17th. Their interiors have been kept tightly under wraps until their opening, with some teasers on their social media expected soon.
Abandon Ship Bar will open on Friday, September 17th and is located at 43 Mitchell St, Glasgow G1 3LA
