A popular Indian restaurant chain called Dishoom is opening an all-day bar-cafe soon in Oxford.
The Bombay-inspired restaurant group has signed a 25-year lease on a new site at North Bailey House, which is part of the new Clarendon Quarter at New Inn Hall Street.
Property agents Savills completed the deal on behalf of landlord Lothbury Investment Management.
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North Bailey House is a new mixed-use development that mainly provides office and retail accommodation.
One of the new signs says "Bottoms up, Bombay style".
North Bailey House is now fully let following the letting to Dishoom.
The website for the new restaurant in Oxford says: "Wedged newly into one of Oxford’s oldest streets, an all-day bar-café tucks into a colourful stream of food.
"Brunch, lunch, dinner, late: our menu is made to be washed down with cold beers and crackingly-good cocktails. Both expertly crafted.
"On the decks, local DJs fill the air with rootsy beats and neighbourhood revelry. Swing by. A quick drink, light bite, or long, leisurely night – Permit Room is open to all."
Taking its influence from 1960s and 1970s Bombay, the new cafe bar is to be called Permit Room.
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This was the unofficial name for rooms where liquor could be bought and relates to the Bombay Prohibition Act of 1949.
The new cafe will offer all-new food menu offering bar snacks, curries and some larger plates – plus a few favourites from the original Dishoom menu.
The website adds: "Full on feast? Or nibbly bite. Our bar snacks and picky-bits are perfect with an ice-cold Thumbs Up Sazerac.
"Local brews and special collaborations are made to complement snacks, savouries, curries. Indulge in Dishoom favourites like Chicken Ruby and House Black Daal.
"A Feni Martini or Sober Negroni if still room. And for the morning after the night before, a bacon naan roll and strong cup of coffee, made by our friends NewGround just down the road. Ethically sourced, deeply bracing."
The 5,996 sq ft venue will be spread over the ground and basement floors.
Dishoom venues are based on the Irani cafes of Bombay.
It first launched in London's Covent Garden and now has six restaurants across London, Manchester, Birmingham and Edinburgh.
It also has an all-day cafe bar in Cambridge and in Brighton.
Dishoom submitted a premises licence application to Oxford City Council in February.
The licence will allow alcohol and music between 8am and midnight and late-night refreshment between 11pm and midnight Monday to Sunday.
Jessica Hill, surveyor in Restaurants and Leisure at Savills, said earlier: “We are delighted that Dishoom’s Permit Room has chosen Oxford for its next location."
An opening date has not yet been revealed.
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Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here.
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