Earlier this year in May, over 60 members of the Inception Group team set off on our annual company trip to Marbella, Spain. Joining us were venue managers, heads of department, and team members who have been with the business for five years or more, a celebration of dedication, teamwork, and the brilliant people who help bring our venues to life.

True to Inception spirit, the trip was packed with energy, creativity, and unforgettable moments. This year marked our first-ever beachside away day, setting the tone for a sun-soaked adventure filled with fun and camaraderie. Highlights included our annual treasure hunt, spirited games of Padel tennis, and a host of other exciting team activities.

Evenings were just as memorable, with drinks, dinners, and plenty of laughter shared under the Spanish sky. From team challenges to late-night laughs, it was a fantastic few days that brought us closer together and reminded us why we do what we do!

We’ve just wrapped the first stages of our 2nd annual cocktail competition, and it’s bigger and better than ever. This year again, we’re proud to be sponsored by Bacardi again, this year excitingly featuring Patrón Tequila! From an internal venue-level showdown to a high-energy semi-final hosted at Mr Fogg’s Apothecary, the passion and talent on display has been incredible.Over 40 of our team entered the competition, bringing incredible energy and creativity across two action-packed days. Each participant crafted a signature cocktail that reflected both their personality and the spirit of the venue they worked at. The event featured high-paced speed rounds, where contestants raced to make 3 Tequila classics in record time! Throughout it all, there was an outpouring of support from our teams, many of whom tuned in via our live streams to cheer from home.

Our 5 finalists – Robert Capon, Mariia Biriukova, Joshua Cleasby, Charlie Galarza and Aaryan Tamilselvi will also get to experience a Patrón masterclass at Bacardi HQ on 3rd July, before battling it out in the grand final on 18th August!

The prizes?

– A once-in-a-lifetime trip to Hacienda Patron, Mexico.

– Their winning cocktail featured across all Inception Group venues for a month with a delicious bonus paid per cocktail sold.

– Donations to a charity of the winner’s choice.

– Exclusive gifts from Patrón and Inception Group.

A huge thanks to Simone, Alex, Andrea and Lexa for being the greatest judges. And a massive thanks to Lee, Miko and Jan for organising such a splendid event.

Cheers to raising the bar!

At Inception group, we’re all about celebrating creativity, craftsmanship, and the magic that happens when passion meets talent. We’re thrilled to introduce ‘A Scoundrel’s Story’—a bold, imaginative, and utterly delicious cocktail created by none other than our very own Head Bartender at Cahoots, Alex Cabella. Alex recently took home the crown as the champion of our first-ever cocktail competition, and it’s easy to see why. His winning creation is a masterpiece of flavor and innovation, blending the exotic warmth of saffron with the sweet, vibrant notes of strawberries. But ‘A Scoundrel’s Story’ is more than just a drink—it’s a testament to bold ambition, artistry, and the power of a great idea.

To celebrate Alex’s incredible achievement, ‘A Scoundrel’s Story’ will be featured across all our venues this month. And here’s the best part: for every cocktail sold, a portion of the proceeds will be donated to Alex’s chosen charity, The World Food Programme. That means every sip you take helps support a meaningful cause, making this cocktail not just a treat for your taste buds, but a way to give back. So, whether you’re a cocktail connoisseur or simply someone who loves a great drink with a greater purpose, we invite you to join us in raising a glass to Alex, his creativity, and the incredible work of The World Food Programme.

Here’s to great drinks, great causes, and the brilliant minds behind the bar. Cheers! ✨

We’re beyond proud to share that, thanks to our incredible team and thousands of generous guests, we raised an astounding £42,721 for StreetSmart through the £1 on every bill initiative this past festive season. StreetSmart partners with restaurants across the UK during November and December, collecting voluntary £1 donations that go directly to trusted charities supporting people facing homelessness. With all admin costs covered by sponsors, 100% of every pound goes to those who need it most. This amazing total was made possible across all Mr Fogg’s, Cahoots, Bunga Bunga, Barts, Maggie’s, and Control Room B venues—and we’re honoured to have raised the second-highest amount in the UK, receiving an award in recognition.

Thank you to every single person who contributed. Your kindness is powering real change—and we’re already looking ahead to beating our total in 2025!

On Monday, 6th January, we brought everyone together for a much-deserved Christmas celebration at the Arcade Foodhall in Battersea! This evening was our way of thanking our hardworking teams for their dedication and celebrating a hugely successful 2024! The night was alive with energy as a live band kept the dance floor packed, while guests enjoyed an endless variety of drinks and dishes from a stunning array of cuisines. The dress code? A nostalgic nod to the 90s, inspiring show-stopping outfits that ranged from Men in Black agents to colourful Spice Girls tributes and everything in between!

The Network expands: Cahoots Postal Office comes to Borough!

October saw the launch of the Cahoots: Postal Office, the latest outpost of the Cahoots’ Scoundrels Network. Located on Stoney Street, the two floored venue is our more immersive and interactive yet, inspired by the postal service. One of the main focal points is the ‘Air Mail’ pneumatic tube system. A world first installation, that sees cocktails whizzing overhead as they are delivered to guests from the bar to tables, through a series of air-powered tubes. Further feasts for the yes include suspicious rattling parcels, a shaking crate suspended overhead, moving carrier pigeons and flickering lights, in line with trains going overhead.

On the mezzanine level, guests find The Dead Letter Depot: a treasure trove of precious mail that never reached its intended destination. Undelivered parcels and packages wrap the curved walls of the old rail arch, and anyone who dares to lay hands on the most highly valued loot will trigger the Cahoots anti-theft deterrent alarm system! Nestled amongst forgotten cargo and eclectic artefacts, guests can take a break in the Tea Corner, where repurposed telephone switchboards can be used to listen in on tantalising 1946 gossip and top secret dispatches. Cocktails take inspiration for the postal service too, with vessels ranging from a cat shaped tea pot, not as postie’s enemy the dog of course, and miniature parcels.

Earlier in the year…

Cahoots Ticket Hall transforms into a 1940s-style Pub

On 17th June, we transformed Cahoots Ticket Hall into Ticket Hall Pub, an ode to a classic 1940s London pub following our success with the pub model with the Mr Fogg’s family, including Mr Fogg’s Tavern on St Martin’s Lane, Mr Fogg’s Hat Tavern in Soho and Mr Fogg’s City Tavern near Liverpool Street. Serving up a curated collection of black-market hooch, draught beers and pale ales, iconic Cahoots cocktails, wines and spirits, alongside a food menu of pub classics and small plates, available from lunch time every day. Embracing the lively atmosphere of a 1940s British pub, this ticket hall-turned boozer is available to book until 5pm, before becoming walk-in only, apart from large groups. Period features, capturing the essence of London spirit and swing whilst retelling the disused station theming that Cahoots is known for, include a tartan carpet with matching wallpaper, wood panelling and a jukebox, operated by coins on the bar. The space also includes a large outdoor terrace.

Mr Fogg’s House of Botanicals revamped into a Botanical Tavern

Newman Street’s House of Botanicals was reopened in September as Mr Fogg’s Botanical Tavern and Treehouse, using the same the formula as Hat Tavern & Gin Club and Tavern & Gin Parlour. The downstairs tavern now opens from 12pm, serving lunch, pints, punches and expertly crafted cocktails in the heart of London’s Fitzrovia. Furthermore, a Bloomin’ Roast with all the trimmings has now been added to the food offering alongside Saturday’s popular Botanical Brunch.

Dressed up in glitz & glam, the entire Inception Group team grooved the night away at STEREO Covent Garden on Monday 15th January. An electrifying live band, flowing drinks and a delicious food and mac & cheese station all made for an unforgettable night, marking the culmination of our hard work throughout 2023! Scroll down to see some of the incredible outfits of the night…