Skip to main content

Freedom Day: We are Back!

By News

We are delighted to at last have the green light to return to business much closer to normal. All our venues will be fully open from July 19th and we can’t wait to welcome people back, even to get a drink from the bar again! Explore our eleven London sites HERE.

Maggie’s, our 1980s nightclub, has had a complete refurbishment and is reopening at 12.01am on Monday 19th July (i.e. this coming Sunday night) with its brand new look! Think outlandish new cocktails, mind-blowing retro lighting, a bigger drinks bar covered in cassette tapes, and MORE 1980s vibes. We’re making up for lost time and opening every night for the first week, before returning to our Thursday-Saturday opening days. To be one of the first back on the dance floor, book a table or guestlist spot HERE.

All our unique spaces at Bunga Bunga are fully open for celebrations, with everything from the relaunch of Singo Bingo and our Club Bunga at Battersea, to our new season of nightly shows at Covent Garden, including SingalongaBunga Thursdays! With a heatwave on its way, our Mr Fogg’s Secret Garden in Mayfair is a great new addition to the group. The perfect spot for a summer party, it will also now be open on Sundays from August onwards! Book a table at any of our venues HERE.

With events back in full swing from July 19th, join us for private drinks, hearty lunches, tipsy teas, immersive dinners, gin tastings and more across the Mr Fogg’s Collection, Cahoots, Barts, both Bunga Bunga’s and Maggie’s. From small gatherings of 10 people to parties of up to 450 guests, explore our venue hire options HERE.

We will, of course, continue with enhanced hygiene and safety measures throughout the venues, but we can’t wait to get back towards how things were before March 2020!

Inception Group (finally) returns in April 2021!

By News

We are so excited to finally be making reopening plans for all our wonderful venues! During the week of 12th April, we will be opening our large outdoor terrace at Mrs Fogg’s in Liverpool Street, alongside takeaway drinks and outdoor tables at Mr Fogg’s Tavern in Covent Garden, Mr Fogg’s House of Botanicals in Fitzrovia, Cahoots Ticket Hall in Soho and Barts’ Secret Garden in Chelsea. Bookings are available in these outdoor spaces HERE.

From the week of 17th May, we will be fully reopening Barts, Cahoots and all Mr Fogg’s venues indoors, including the Society of Exploration in Covent Garden, which now has a late license until 2am! Both Bunga Bunga’s will also reopen in May with brunches and pizza-making classes, alongside our Best of Bunga Variety Show at Covent Garden and our Kara-Soaky singing-in-the-shower experience at Battersea in the evenings. Book HERE.

After over a year in hibernation, at last we have a reopening date for our nightclub Maggie’s in Chelsea on 21st June! We are so excited about dancing again that we will open SEVEN days in a row, before resuming our normal Wednesday – Saturday hours. Book a table or guestlist HERE.

We will also continue to deliver our much-loved at-home cocktails by Cahoots and Mr Fogg’s, including our brilliant newly-launched Cahoots ‘Raid the Larder’ cocktail-making kit for two, just in time for Mother’s Day on 14th March! Find out more HERE.

For those of you with missed or upcoming celebrations, we are now able to book in private events for up to 30 people from 17th May, followed by much larger events from 21st June onwards. Please contact a member of our events team HERE with any enquiry, big or small!

Coronavirus Update

By News

When we reopen our 11 venues, it is our top priority to create safe environments for our customers and staff, but of course we will ensure we will be doing so in true Inception Group style! Read more to find out how we have devised fun solutions for potential social distancing and PPE requirements…

Rather than removing a third of our furniture to maintain social distancing at Mr Fogg’s Residence in Mayfair, visitors will have the pleasure of making the acquaintance of an assortment of Victorian characters – in mannequin form – from Jules Verne’s novel, Around the World in 80 Days. Placed at intermittent tables, these mannequins will help maintain the typically buzzy bar atmosphere when we reopen, whilst enforcing safe social distancing measures.

At Mr Fogg’s House of Botanicals in Fitzrovia, we have found a solution in-bee-keeping with the bar’s blossoming natural surroundings. Well-known as an oasis of exotic flora and fauna in Fitzrovia, our in-house botanists and guests may be asked to don beekeeping suits, or simply the protective head veil, instead of using traditional PPE.

At Cahoots, repurposed gas masks may make an appearance in our post-war themed cocktail bar, as robust facial covering solutions. Whilst this historical headpiece would look out of place anywhere else, at Cahoots it has the potential to become just another eccentric part of the immersive experience that guests have come to know and love at this unusual 1940s Soho drinking den.

Renowned ‘80s haven and iconic late-night bar on Chelsea’s Fulham Road, Maggie’s will transform into a Club Tropicana paradise, filled with inflatable rubber rings to aid party-goers to keep a safe distance whilst dancing. The Maggie’s A-Team has also stocked up on metre-long litter pickers, which will allow staff to safely pass drinks over the bar, as well as enabling guests to cheers at a suitable distance, in a safe yet entertaining way.

At Barts, decorative theatrical masks will cover the faces of our talented team of mixologists at our 1920s Prohibition-themed speakeasy, tucked away in Sloane Avenue’s Chelsea Cloisters. Dressing up at Barts has always been customary with our quirky fancy dress box, inviting guests to don eccentric glad rags, akin to those worn by party-goers at extravagant parties during the Roaring Twenties. The addition of masks will create a dual sense of mystery and, crucially, safety – enhancing both the theatrics and protection of the cocktail presentation.

 

Important update from Inception Group

By News

Dearest Cahoots Scoundrels, friends of Fogg’s, Maggie’s A-Team, Bunga Famiglia and Barts’ loyal associates,

As many of you are aware, we have taken the difficult, yet inevitable, decision in these circumstances to temporarily close all 11 of our venues. It is a truly horrible situation that feels like a bad dream we wish would end. We’d like to thank all those who have supported us over the years, and especially through this tricky period of late.

Now, more than ever, is a time to spread joy and make a kind gesture! A wonderful way to make someone’s day is by purchasing an e-voucher. It would also be an incredible support for our business, and most importantly our staff, during this challenging period of uncertainty. Surprise your loved ones with one of our unique and memorable experiences or monetary gift vouchers, to enjoy across our 11 venues as soon as we’re back up and running. 

To show our gratitude, simply enter SUPPORT25 at the checkout for 25% off all vouchers – click HERE to purchase a gift voucher. Let’s keep supporting each other with acts of kindness!

We will use this time to reflect, brainstorm and return even stronger, with more unique and memorable experiences to deliver to you. Stay safe and healthy, and we can’t wait to reopen our doors to you all soon!

Inception Group WINS ‘Best Late Night Operator’ In the UK at The Publican Awards 2020!

By Inception Group, News

Inception Group is delighted to announce our fifth award of 2020 so far! Last night, we were named ‘Best Late Night Operator’ in the UK at The Publican Awards 2020. Honouring excellence within the pubco sector and judged by a panel of hospitality experts, these prestigious awards represent the pinnacle of success within the industry, and we’re thrilled to be recognised alongside the other esteemed finalists, Stonegate Pub Company and The Deltic Group. 

This is our second Publican Award, following our largest brand, Mr Fogg’s, winning the ‘Best Pub Brand/Concept’ award last year (2019). Inspired by Jules Verne’s fictional character, Phileas J. Fogg, in his novel Around the World in Eighty Days, the Mr Fogg’s collection doubled in size to six venues across London in 2018, and with more on the horizon, the Mr Fogg’s brand continues to go from strength to strength.

Charlie Gilkes & Duncan Stirling, Inception Group Co-Founders

On winning the award, Charlie Gilkes, Co-Founder of Inception Group says:

“We were so honoured to win our first Publican Award last year for Mr Fogg’s, and to receive a second this year, but this time for our whole estate, feels incredibly special. We are hugely proud of all the distinct brand concepts within our collection, and it is great to be able to share this accolade with all the brands and teams. With 11 sites across our estate, we are acutely aware that within the pub industry we’re considered a small player, so to be recognised for standing-out amongst the pub giants, is a great achievement for us.”

Cahoots Ticket Hall & Control Room WINS ‘Best New Pub/Bar Site’ in the Casual Dining Awards 2020!

By Cahoots, News

We are thrilled to announce that Cahoots has won the Casual Dining Award for ‘Best New Pub/Bar Site’ against five other shortlisted finalists! Celebrating the multi-million pound casual dining sector, the Casual Dining Awards highlight the achievements of some of the most successful names in the industry, recognising those who push the boundaries in innovation.

Cahoots Ticket Hall & Control Room proudly took first place, competing against some incredible names such as Alberts Schenke in Liverpool, The Alchemist, Duke of York (Barworks), The Florist and Mikkeller.

Be sure to visit the brand new additions (the Ticket Hall and Control Room) at Cahoots, right opposite the original, on Kingly Street. See more here

The Ticket Hall

The Control Room

Inception Group WINS ‘Best Social Media Presence of the Year’ in the Class Bar Awards 2020!

By Cahoots, Inception Group, News

Having won for Mr Fogg’s in 2018, we were extremely excited to have not one, but TWO of our brands shortlisted again for the ‘Best Social Media Presence of the Year’ award in the Class Bar Awards 2020. Both Mr Fogg’s and Cahoots had made the final three for their outstanding social media.

Waiting eagerly to hear the results, the team was overjoyed when Cahoots’ name was called!

See why Class Bar chose Cahoots as their winner for ‘Best Social Media Presence 2020’:

“With the creative use of cinemagraphs, videos, gifs and cleverly-styled vintage photography, Cahoots showcases its offering, not least its fantastic cocktail serves, seamlessly to the digital sphere.” – Class Bar Awards 2020

#AWARDS2020 #WINNER

Inception Group WINS ‘Best Digital Campaign’ and ‘Best Use of Video’ at Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards 2020!

By News

We are extremely proud to have won TWO awards at the Restaurant Marketer & Innovator Awards 2020, after being shortlisted for FOUR categories! After last year’s success, taking home the award for ‘Launch Campaign of the Year’ for the opening of Mr Fogg’s Society of Exploration, we were thrilled to add two more awards to our shelf! Last night, we won ‘Digital Campaign of the Year’ and ‘Best Use of Video’, for our innovative, multi-channel ‘Own the Bar’ launch campaign for the new Cahoots Ticket Hall & Control Room.

Four years after opening Cahoots Underground, we expanded the brand and narrative to our recently launched Cahoots Ticket Hall & Control Room, which is located opposite the original, on Kingly Street. In doing so, we partnered with Tanqueray No. TEN to create an innovative multi-channel launch campaign that no cocktail bar had ever done before, advertising the job role of a lifetime: to become the ‘owner’ of the new Cahoots venue for one week only!

The chosen applicant would not only take home the opening week’s profits, but also enjoy their own 1940s launch party ‘on the house’, free gin for life in the new venue and so much more! We announced the exciting role through a 1940s-style video created in-house by our marketing team, which won us the award for ‘Best Use of Video 2019’, showcasing all the fun and exciting aspects of the job: https://vimeo.com/360511498

Scroll down to see why RMI chose us for the awards…

DIGITAL CAMPAIGN OF THE YEAR

Set inside an abandoned train station in post-war Britain, Cahoots was a clear winner to the judges for embracing the creative nature of the venue and delivering it simply and effectively online through brilliant content. The Inception Group team set out a strategy to increase brand awareness and maximise booking for the new venue.”

BEST USE OF VIDEO

“Cahoots, the well-known brand by Inception Group, won the best use of video award for developing an innovative, fun and on-brand video that showed real creativity. The aim of the campaign was to maximise brand awareness and exposure for the launch, maximise bookings for the new venue, increase social and website traffic, all whilst correctly representing and encompassing the feel of the brand and its values.”

#AWARDS2020 #WINNER

Ready, Set, Bake! The Great Inception Bake Off…

By News

Every Tuesday throughout October 2019, the talented bakers of Inception Group came together to raise money for Crisis UK charity, helping battle homelessness across England, Scotland and Wales. With donations and voting held at Inception HQ each week, we enjoyed a delicious selection of homemade sweet treats and cakes – and it’s safe to say there was some tough competition! At the end of the month, the #InceptionBakers through to the GIBO finals were judged by the founders of Inception Group – Charlie Gilkes and Duncan Stirling – with a little help from guest judges and stars, Natalie Coleman (Winner of Master Chef 2013) and the nation’s GBBO favourite, Selasi, from The Great British Bake Off 2016.

We raised a total of £1,036.06 for Crisis UK!

WINNER: Izzie (PR Manager)

FINALISTS: Tim Harper, Leah Sumeray, Tanya Cleere & Oz Deniz

Well done to Selen (Social Media & Digital Marketing Executive) for organising our first (and very successful) Bake Off, and to everyone that participated and helped us raise money for a very good cause.

NEW VENUE: Cahoots Ticket Hall & Control Room has officially opened…

By Cahoots, Insiders News, News

In October 2019, we expanded our subterranean 1940s bar, Cahoots, with two new unique spaces located right next door on Kingly Street – Cahoots Ticket Hall & Control Room! Inspired by an abandoned train station, The Ticket Hall pays tribute to what previously lay there, with a giant station clock, old split-flap timetables and fading train maps and vintage advertisements peeling off the wall. Hidden beneath the Ticket Hall sits the Control Room. Head down the ‘danger’ marked staircase and into what was once an ‘out-of-bounds’ area for all passengers, that has been transformed into an industrial, quirky speakeasy-style bar, perfect for entertaining and throwing illicit shindigs! Scroll down for a sneak peek into the new venue, or find out more and book a table here.