Darwin and Wallace to open on All Bar One site following refurbishment

The date has now been announced for the opening of Darwin & Wallace's new bar and restaurant, No. 197 Chiswick Fire Station- it opens its doors on 26th April to the public on the site of the former All Bar One.

There will be a Soft launch with 50% off food until the 1st of May for those who pre-book.

The independent bar and restaurant group promises to serve up great cocktails and food with an Antipodian influence. The Chiswick location is the fifth bar in the Darwin & Wallace stable.

The restaurant will serve food from 9 am- 10.30 pm seven days a week. It will have a central bar, a working fireplace and an open kitchen with counter seating.

After the closure of All Bar One, extensive refurbishment works were undertaken on at the site at 197-199 Chiswick High Road. These revealed masonry on the front of the building showing that it was the former home of the local fire brigade and the new owners have decided to honour its history by using it as the title for the new bar/restaurant.

The venue will be open on April 26th and will be closed on April 27th (from 6-9.30) for a media function.

Old Fire Station facade on Chiswick High Road. Picture: Ian Wylie

Mel Marriott, Darwin & Wallace managing director, said: "We are all incredibly excited to have acquired the old fire station, a local landmark in the heart of Chiswick.

“With our hand picked suppliers and team of artisans, our ambitions at Darwin & Wallace are to bring something fresh and contemporary to the space whilst drawing inspiration from the locality.

“This will be our fourth opening in three years and we're looking forward to presenting our modern vision of the local pub to Chiswick with unique design paired with great food and drink."

No 197 Chiswick Fire Station is part of a collection of independent neighbourhood bars and restaurants and joins the recently announced Battersea Power Station regeneration development site.

The station was originally opened on this site in 1891 and operated there until 1963 when it moved to its present location on Heathfield Gardens which was formerly occupied by Christ Church's vicarage.

All Bar One closed in September. The bar has been the subject of rumours for a number of years. In 2012 it was due to turn into an Asian restaurant but the owners had a change of heart and gave the place a makeover and new menu.

A glimpse of the new style for the interior

Darwin & Wallace is currently expanding across London with a plan to acquire sites between 5,000 square feet to 7,000 square feet, predominantly in affluent 'villages' including Chelsea, Kensington, Knightsbridge, Notting Hill, Soho, Fitzrovia, the West End, Hampstead and Haverstock Hill, Camden, Islington and Shoreditch.

April 4, 2016