If there’s one thing our founders know, it’s what makes a good bar. Some places have that rare magic where the moment you walk in, you feel at home. Maybe you wandered in by chance and it instantly became your go-to recommendation. Or maybe it’s been your faithful haunt for years, the kind of place where memories are written into the furniture.
We asked our founders to talk us through the bars that have shaped them – from late-night lounges to pubs redefining the rules, and even the corner where one conversation changed everything.
“I’m always blown away by the quality of drinks, the service – all the little details in the design of the bar. They get so much right in there.”
— Olly, Co-Founder
With its book-lined walls, low light, and a cocktail menu that never misses, Scarfes Bar is a masterclass in atmosphere. It’s the kind of place that shows how every detail, from the glassware to the playlist, shapes the ritual of drinking.
“What’s a bar that’s inspired me to think differently about hospitality and mixology? Artesian in London – every drink feels like a masterpiece, but nothing about the service feels showy.”
— Ed, Co-Founder
Artesian is where creativity and hospitality meet in perfect balance. A menu that pushes boundaries, and a team that makes every guest feel like they belong – you can’t ask for much more than that.
“I’m loving the evolution of pubs into the fine dining space and refined cocktails. In that guise, Vapoura is right at home in The Hero.”
— Ross, Co-Founder
The Hero has reimagined the traditional pub without losing what makes it special. Elevated food, refined cocktails, and a warm welcome – it’s a sign of where British drinking culture is headed, and we’re all for it.
“Why don’t we do it ourselves?”
Olly and Ed, side by side at a bar in 2021, asking a simple question that changed everything. From that conversation, Vapoura was born. Proof that sometimes the best ideas don’t come from boardrooms but from across the bar right where the (mixology) magic happens.
Bars shape stories, spark ideas, and hold memories. For us, they were the backdrop to friendships, conversations, and a brand that we now can’t imagine life without.
