After what has been an exceptionally challenging few months for the hospitality industry, the team behind Refuge by Volta now feel the time is right to bring the food, music and love back into the cherished venue so that the family of Refuge – the customers that make the space so special – can come together again.
Two carefully crafted menus will mark the reopening, with many of the restaurants favourite dishes making a return. The Refuge Experience is a brand new menu, specifically created to celebrate special dates, occasions or reunions, with a heart-warming selection of meat, seafood, vegetables and sides, from the Tamarind-glazed chicken wings, lamb shawarma, salt cod croquettes and the iconic ‘Big Hit’ 1.2kg of Lamb Shoulder – all perfect for sharing amongst friends and loved ones – to the fire-roasted Padron peppers, beetroot pakora and everything in between. The Refuge Experience is perfect for four to six people and costs £180 for the table.
Togetherness lies within the heart and soul of The Refuge, the ethos of which has brought countless people together in the city over the last four years since its inception. The Refuge presents Back To Refuge, a special no fuss sharer for two menu. Available Wednesday and Thursday 12 noon to 9pm and Friday 12 noon to 6:45pm. At £20 per person will get you a selection of the Voltini classics, including two starters, seven mains and sides.
Luke Unabomber, one of the founders of Refuge by Volta said: “It feels so good and positive to be able to turn the lights back on. The building is ready to go again for family and friends to come together, to celebrate all the missed occasions over lockdown or to simply have a nice drink with a friend in our public bar. Both Justin and I have always put our heart and soul into this space and we are so proud and happy to be bringing it back to the people and back to life.”
The music will of course continue to play a major part of The Refuge, with the reopening sound tracked by the usual Refuge resident DJS and selectors offering the finest music from around the world.
Guests are being urged to book in advance to avoid disappointment, and places will be limited for the foreseeable future to allow for physical distancing. Bookings can be made online by visiting www.refugemcr.co.uk. There will be a new system of QR code linking to the menu page of The Refuge web site, for anyone wanting to avoid disposable single use menus.
For the first time the Winter Garden and Public Bar will also take table reservations, walk up guests will also be welcome, subject to bookings so guests are being encouraged to book online in advance to avoid disappointment.
The new opening times will be Monday and Tuesday – closed, Wednesday and Thursday 5pm to 9pm dinner and until 11pm for drinks at the bar, Friday and Saturday 12pm to 3pm lunch, 5pm to 9pm diner, open from 12pm to 11pm for drinks, and Sunday 12 to 8pm for roast platers and until 10pm for drinks at the bar.
The safety of anyone visiting The Refuge during these times is of course of the utmost importance, and a very detailed list of FAQs regarding COVID can be found here.