Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
Which London venues offer private event spaces with film screening capabilities?
Members recommend several London venues with private screening rooms and bar facilities suitable for drinks industry events. **Specific venues:** - **TT Liquor** — mentioned as a solid option with screening capabilities - **The Ministry Borough** — suggested as a venue option - **Shoreditch Arts Club** — has a smaller private room, approximately 24-seat capacity; members noted it's a nice room with good location and have toured it recently - **Firmdale Hotels** — reported to have cinema rooms in most of their properties, though exact sizes unknown - **Chiswick Cinema** — praised for having a lovely private screen and gorgeous bar - **Barnes Olympic Studios** — noted as convenient, particularly for those based in West London - **Battersea Power Station** — has a cinema with a large, nice bar attached Members appear to have direct experience with several of these venues, having toured or used them recently.
Where can London drinks businesses find cost-effective office and co-working space with on-site storage for stock and POS materials?
Members looking for London office space with storage capacity have found success in co-working environments. **Paddington Works** — a member currently operates from here and recommends it as a space that can accommodate multiple desks with storage for stock and point-of-sale materials. **Brixton co-working spaces** — several members mentioned these as an option worth exploring for similar setups. Members also suggested being clear upfront about budget constraints, as this will significantly narrow the search. Some members have indicated openness to sharing existing office setups with complementary brands if you're looking for a cost-share arrangement.
Where can drinks founders store pallets of empty bottles or small equipment inventory in the UK?
Members have found practical storage solutions for both pallets and compact inventory. **Vanguard Soho** is recommended for London-based founders needing flexible, rolling storage—they offer "phonebox-sized" spaces for small collapsible bars and other equipment, with larger options also available. One member mentioned using **a warehouse in Reading** for pallet storage of empty bottles, though location matters significantly depending on where you're based. For very compact storage needs, Vanguard Soho's smaller units have proven suitable for founders with minimal space requirements (around 2m in width). The key advantage of Vanguard is the rolling basis arrangement, which suits early-stage founders without long-term commitments. Members recommend checking location availability and contacting Vanguard directly to discuss your specific storage needs and volumes.
What are the best venues in London (particularly Angel/Islington) to hire for product demonstrations and buyer meetings?
Members recommend several flexible venue options in and around Angel/Islington for hosting product demos and buyer meetings: - **411 Incipio** — mentioned as a suitable venue hire option in the area - **Little Bat** — owner willing to lend space for short meetings/demos - **Laki Kane** — another local venue owner open to lending space for an hour - **Bourne & Hollingsworth Building** — nearby with dedicated areas available to hire for meetings Members noted they prefer these independent venue options over co-working spaces like WeWork for product demonstrations, as they offer more character and flexibility for short-term buyer meetings.
What meeting and boardroom spaces do members recommend for business gatherings in UK cities?
Members recommend several practical options for meeting rooms across major UK cities, often less corporate and better value than chain providers: - **Fuller's pubs** — Members highlight Fuller's pub meeting rooms across London as offering good value and often having the necessary AV setup (screens, etc.). Use their pub finder to locate a local venue: https://www.fullers.co.uk/pubs/pub-finder/meeting-rooms/london - **SecondHome** — Recommended for Manchester-based meetings, with their most central location on Hanbury Street **Caveat:** Members note you should confirm the specific venue has the screen and AV equipment you need before booking, as this varies by location.
Which printer suppliers in London can handle correx boards and paper assets with reliable turnaround?
Members in the London area recommend **Form Graphics** for reliable printing work including correx boards and general paper assets. The contact is Peter Stead at peter@formgraphics.co.uk. Members also mention **Petes** as a good option for general printing needs. Shoreditch-based members found these suppliers offer helpful systems and reasonable turnaround for London-based orders. Note: one member's experience with a printer (details unclear from the discussion) was poor on the buying side, so vetting individual suppliers against your specific needs is advisable.
Which restaurant consultants have experience working with high-end London dining establishments?
One member has a contact with experience working on high-end London restaurants including Los Mochis, Cipriani, and The Ned. Details available via direct message within the community. This contact appears to specialise in Mayfair and premium London venues.
Where can members find low-key event venues in central London for casual drinks parties with live music?
Members have recommended a few central London venues that work well for informal drinks events with live music: - **SAMA Bankside** — used successfully for a launch party - **The Ministry in Borough** — described as "pretty sick" for this type of event One member also noted they have available space in Brighton if a splinter event appeals. For sourcing venues more broadly, members recommend contacting **Piers**, a serviced office broker in central London who can help identify suitable spaces (07877727267).
Which photographers specialise in cocktail and food product photography, particularly in the UK?
Members recommend the following specialist photographers for cocktail and food product work: - **Chris Coulson** — based in London (East); described as "great for photography". Portfolio: https://chriscoulson.co.uk/ - **The Cocktail Service** — offers cocktail and food photography support; members have connected their marketing teams. www.thecocktailservice.co.uk One member also mentioned **Rapidbars** (£850 + VAT, contact: tony@image-corporate.com) as a supplier of pop-up bar installations, though this is more for experiential setup than photography services. Members suggest reaching out directly via the websites or DM for specific quotes and availability.