The line-up includes a rooftop wine bar and Mexican restaurant with weekly DJ sets
A string of new bars, restaurants, and hotels are set to open at the reimagined Olympia this summer, bosses have announced. The multi-purpose venue in West London has undergone a £1.3bn transformation over the last years to turn the 140-year-old site into a ‘cultural landmark’.
First approved by Hammersmith and Fulham Council in 2019, the project secured a slew of provisional trading licences in May 2024. With an opening date of June 15, further details of what to expect are now being released, with the line-up boasting a contemporary Japanese restaurant and Mexican-inspired rooftop bar.
The British Airways ARC, a 3,800-capacity live music and entertainment venue, is also kicking off with two headline shows by Mercury Prize-nominated artist Self Esteem in just over a month. This will be joined by the British Airways Theatre, the capital’s largest permanent theatre in 50 years, in 2027.
Additionally, the heritage halls will play host to several events “serving as a showcase for global culture and creativity”. This includes the annual London Wine Fair and Hyper Japan, alongside the London Premier Padel P1 tour.
Michael Volkert, CEO of Olympia Estates, added: “This series of incredible summer openings marks the beginning of an exciting chapter for Olympia, highlighting its evolution into a dynamic new destination where our guests will be able to experience the best of London’s culture, entertainment, and hospitality. With so much to discover, we cannot wait to welcome visitors from the capital, the UK, and all over the world to explore everything that Olympia has to offer.”
Once fully operational, Olympia is expected to inject more than £600 million into the UK economy each year, directly generating 7,000 jobs and a projected total annual footfall of 10m.
Here’s what you need to know:.
Food & Drink
A number of “only-at-Olympia” bars and restaurants will open in the new Canopy rooftop area on June 15:
Wolves of Tokyo
Wolves of Tokyo is an 8,000-square-foot restaurant and rooftop bar with Japanese Izakaya-style bar snacks, multi-course tasting menus and cocktails. Diners have been told to expect a 280-cover space inspired by modern Tokyo and noir film.
Key features include an open kitchen, counter seating and apartment-esque private dining room with karaoke for special occasions. Head chef Sharon Patriciello, formerly of ROKA London, has curated dishes such as fresh maki and sashimi, chicken donburi and wagyu steak.
Highlights on the cocktail menu include the Sake Martini, Shitake Old Fashioned and Sesame Colada.
Lillie’s
With views across the West London skyline, Lille’s is a rooftop wine bar and restaurant centred around English produce and sparkling wines. The menu will offer wines from UK estates and seasonal cocktails, as well as shareable small plates and afternoon tea and seasonal cocktails.
Dishes include Exmoor Caviar, Carlingford Oysters, Devon day boat fish, Salt Marsh lamb cutlets and a signature lobster roll. There are also lighter snack options such as burrata with Isle of Wight heritage tomatoes and king oyster mushroom ‘scallops’.
Bar Arriba
Bar Arriba combines West London views, a menu inspired by the bold flavours of Mexico, and DJ sets throughout the week.
Guests can enjoy large plates such as Chipotle beef short rib and baked sea bream, as well as a range of tacos and tostadas. Desserts including dulce de leche-filled churros complete the offering
On Saturdays, Bar Arriba will host Casa Arriba, a boozy brunch centred around modern Mexican dishes and a music-led atmosphere.
Arbour
The Canopy will also be home to Arbour, a multi-concept food hall housing four eateries serving up gourmet fried chicken, farm-to-fork eats, smashed burgers, and artisan coffee; Fry Baby, The Rambler, Whammy Burger and Café Modo.
Live Entertainment
British Airways ARC
The 3,800-capacity live music and entertainment venue operated by AEG Presents is opening on June 16 with two headline shows from Rotherham musician Self Esteem. A stellar line-up of UK and international will follow, including McFly, Zac Brown Band, Khalid and a five-night residency from singer-songwriter Van Morrison.
Upstairs at Pillar Hall
A 500+-capacity live music and events venue is also due to open with the Grade II-listed Pillar Hall in the autumn. We don’t know much about Upstairs at Pillar Hall just yet, other than it will remain a double-height room with a mezzanine overlooking the main dining areas.
It will join the recently opened Idalia, a British all-day restaurant and Pepperbird, a speakeasy-style bar inspired by Olympia’s musical heritage.
Other openings
- Hyatt Regency hotel – July 6
- citizenM hotel – early summer
- Olympia Way pedestrianised street – due to be completed later this year
- One Olympia office building – welcoming tenants later this year
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