Barrio Familia to launch ‘world’s largest tequila bar’ at former Tropicana Beach Club site

Barrio Familia is launching what it claims will be “the world’s largest tequila bar” at the former Tropicana Beach Club site in London’s Covent Garden.

The 600-capacity venue will be the group’s fifth and biggest site and is set to open in November, offering Latin-inspired cocktails, live entertainment and a bingo bottomless brunch. Maxwell's Restaurants, which previously operated the site as well as Old Compton Brasserie, Maxwell's Bar & Grill, Palm Court Brasserie, Café de Paris and Tropicana Beach Club, fell into liquidation in 2020 after being hit by pandemic restrictions.

This will also be the first opening for the Barrio Familia group since it was acquired by Nightcap in November 2021, adding to its portfolio of sites in Shoreditch, Soho, Angel and Brixton.

Following the opening of the first Barrio site in 2007, the vision was to have a Barrio in every neighbourhood in the UK. The group said this latest site “will be the beginning of that exciting expansion”.

Jim Robertson, managing director of Barrio Familia, said: “Having previously set up and operated Tropicana Beach Club prior to the pandemic, I am so excited to be going back again with Nightcap to open Barrio Covent Garden. This will be our biggest Barrio to date, and without a doubt, the best party we have ever thrown.

“We believe Barrio to be the biggest tequila bar in the world and are thrilled to bring the Latin Quarter to the West End of London, especially as this has been depleted of large late-night party venues over the pandemic. It’s going to be an incredible launch and we couldn’t be more ready for this next fiesta!”

Sarah Willingham, chief executive of Nightcap, said: “We always viewed Barrio as a brand that had significant potential for growth and rollout and we are absolutely delighted to have secured such a landmark venue in Central London…

“I am so proud of the way that Barrio has integrated into the business since day one. It is thanks to the hard work and dedication of the teams and all those involved that they can start their growth journey so quickly after joining the Nightcap group.”

Nick Weir, joint managing partner at landlord Shelley Sandzer, added: “As we continue to see the F&B market thrive in the West End, there is no doubt that this new site for Barrio will be a strong addition to Covent Garden, a well-established location. We have been very selective in choosing Barrio for this prime site, and they will undoubtedly be well-performing tenants due to their unique, tried-and-tested entertainment and hospitality offer. A t Shelley Sandzer, we live and breathe the industry and have a good sense of what works; Barrio x Covent Garden is a great fit for this special site."