All Bar One

The concept was designed by Bass as a 'female friendly' bar at a time when many pubs and bars were considered intimidating places for single women to go and drink or eat, hence the huge glass frontage, the open plan space and the bright airy interiors.

[1] This followed the lead of existing female-friendly bar chains such as Pitcher & Piano and Slug and Lettuce.

Wilmott, a former director of Slug & Lettuce, designed a similar chain for Yates Brothers Wine Lodges called Ha!

The first bar was opened in December 1994 in Sutton, London, town centre[2] by Bass Taverns, run by Sir Ian Prosser, who also owned Fork and Pitcher and Harvester.

[3] In 1999, Jeremy Spencer was replaced by Karen Forrester (who previously ran O'Neills, and who now runs T.G.I.