All Bar One

Holborn, London

All Bar One is a chain of bars in the UK, owned and operated by Mitchells and Butlers plc which was part of the Six Continents group (previously Bass (beer) ) until 2003.

The concept was originally designed by two women who wanted to open a 'female friendly' bar at a time when they found most pubs and bars intimidating places for single women to go and have a drink or something to eat, hence the huge glass frontage, open plan space and bright airy interiors.

The first bar was opened in the London Borough of Sutton in 1994 and was a runaway success, paving the way for similar concepts such as Slug and Lettuce and The Fine Line. In 2012, there are 47 outlets in the UK, mostly based in Central London with one site in Cologne, Germany.

A recent multi-million pound investment program has updated the bars with a more modern feel whilst still retaining the characteristic wooden floors, bright open spaces and huge glass frontage.

The All Bar One chain has been criticised, however, for its lack of character, with each bar looking almost identical. With most branches set around the major cities in the UK, very few retain any local heritage.

All Bar One attracts a mature guest base due to its strict 21+ policy.

There is also an All Bar One in Cologne, Germany, part of the Alex group of Restaurants in Germany.

The chain was mentioned in the The Long Blondes song "All Bar One Girls", a criticism of the chain's clientele.

External links

• All Bar One

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