Gareth Bale, the Wales and Real Madrid footballer, and SA Brain and Co have announced a partnership to open a new premium sports bar and restaurant in the heart of Cardiff City Centre.
‘Elevens Bar & Grill’ is anticipated to open in late spring/early summer 2017 following a redevelopment of the former Dempseys bar on Castle Street.
Gareth Bale said: “As a proud Welshman I am thrilled to announce the upcoming opening of the Elevens Bar & Grill in Cardiff on our national day, St David’s Day. It has been a big goal and ambition of mine to open a sports bar for many years and I feel Cardiff provides the perfect location.
“There isn’t a venue quite like this, where you can go to watch live sport on Ultra HD 4K TVs with amazing food and drink, all within a modern, relaxed and family-friendly environment. We hope to have the best burger in Cardiff and really looking forward to getting people in to enjoy the experience.
“It was hugely important for me to work with the right partner to ensure the sustainability of a venture such as this. For me, Brains was the perfect fit, they are the leading brewer in Wales and their expertise in the bar and hospitality industry has been invaluable in getting this off the ground. I feel it is this partnership that will help us provide a location everyone can go to and have a great experience watching sport.”
Gareth Bale has been in discussions with Brains for more than 12 months about a possible partnership and is now able to progress the project following the recent decision to redevelop Dempseys, which closed in February.
John Rhys, chairman of S.A Brain and Co. Ltd, commented: “We are very excited to be selected by Gareth on this project and feel it’s a perfect fit which brings together two of Wales' most famous names to create a sport-themed bar and grill to showcase the best of what Wales has to offer.
“Gareth has been involved in every aspect of the design, food and drinks menu to create his sports bar ‘Elevens Bar & Grill’ and we are confident his vision of a sports venue and the enthusiasm he has for the project will produce a unique Welsh venue in the heart of its capital city.
“Gareth is a global superstar and we expect to welcome visitors from around the world to Elevens. Cardiff already has a reputation as a fantastic sporting city, hosting the UEFA Champions League Final on June 3 this year will enhance that reputation further and the city will soon have a new sports bar and grill to match.
“Brains has been the official ale of the Football Association of Wales for 10 years and this is the perfect way to celebrate that partnership. The site of the Elevens Bar & Grill has been a pub since the 1730s and with this new lease of life it will remain an iconic Cardiff venue for many more years to come.”