Design agency Harrison’s brief was to interpret the brand’s Downtown NYC aesthetic for a UK audience while working within the tight parameters of a Grade II-listed building.
- Author Richard Samarasinghe
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US craft burgers and beer brand Black Tap has launched its UK flagship in London’s Soho district, aiming to bring its New York energy to a Grade II-listed space with the support of hospitality design agency Harrison.
As the brand originated in New York City’s SoHo district, launching in London’s Soho was a natural fit for its UK debut. The site, on Glasshouse Street, was always intended to be the flagship location, but delays stemming from logistical and architectural challenges meant it followed the Stratford opening. Black Tap made its UK debut in November last year at Westfield Stratford City with a 100-seat restaurant.
Harrison’s brief was to interpret Black Tap’s Downtown NYC aesthetic for a UK audience, while working within the tight parameters of a Grade II-listed building and Westminster’s strict conservation guidelines.
“We were very mindful of the building’s heritage,” Harrison associate director and design manager Sarah Acres tells MCA. “We wanted to respect the fabric of the space while layering in a distinct Black Tap identity. That meant finding clever, subtle ways to leave our mark without overwhelming the architecture.”
Originally built without a staircase linking its two floors, the unit required a new lift and stairwell, as well as significant structural interventions. “There were moments where tolerances were within 10mm to get the staircases and services into place,” Acres says.
Harrison also worked with Westminster Council to preserve listed façade elements while adding graffiti-inspired branding in the form of removable door panels. The ceiling could not be drilled into – except where a chandelier once hung – meaning the illuminated back bar had to be built around a concealed, self-supporting steel frame.
The back bar will never be replicated. There’s so much engineering and detailing behind it, and every decision was made with intention.
Inside, Black Tap’s layered approach to storytelling comes through in custom design details. Boombox-inspired seating joins the lower level, while booths and a CrazyShake counter recall the brand’s New York roots.
Tables are embedded with vintage cassette tapes, each labelled with era-defining albums and tracks. “We wanted guests to sit down, spot a mixtape they remember, and instantly connect with the space,” designer Jamie Baldwin adds.
Album covers from classic hip hop artists line the walls, alongside reclaimed artefacts like a repurposed New York Post newspaper stand now used to hold menus. “It’s about creating discovery and emotional connection,” Acres says. “We wanted guests to feel a journey through the space.”
The 164-cover venue was carefully zoned to support all-day trade. A bright, monochrome upstairs bar caters to casual daytime traffic, with high seating and light finishes. Downstairs, warmer tones, flexible furnishings and multiple seating styles allow the space to shift from daytime dining to late night hire. “You can come for a coffee or a cocktail,” adds Baldwin. “The space flexes with you.”
Operational flow was central to the design. “We create beautiful spaces, but everything starts with how it’s going to work operationally,” Acres adds. “There’s no point designing a great-looking bar if it doesn’t work for service.”
The project was also an opportunity to evolve the brand’s aesthetic for the UK market. While Black Tap has a strong global identity, Harrison introduced new finishes such as polished plaster walls, bespoke joinery, and layered backdrops that blend heritage and attitude.
“They trusted us to bring a London sensibility,” says Acres. “We kept the core DNA, but added new materials and storytelling details that connect with a UK audience.”
The result is a venue that stays true to Black Tap’s global DNA while standing apart in London’s competitive casual dining market.
Read full article on MCA – Behind the design at Black Tap’s Soho flagship.
