Ralph Lauren opens cafe next to London flagship

By

Benjamin Fitzgerald

Published
Jan 11, 2017

With branded eateries already opened in the US and France, Ralph Lauren is extending further into the hospitality business with a cafe debut in the UK.

The luxury label has opened a cafe next to its European flagship on London's Regent Street. It will be the fourth dining venture from the brand which already has cafes in New York, Chicago and Paris.

In a bid to attract fans of the American brand's heritage aesthetic, the new space draws inspiration from both The Polo Bar and Ralph’s Coffee in Manhattan.

The classic New England-inspired interior boasts a bar area with herringbone floors of reclaimed oak, walls panelled in pine boards, a hefty oak bar with a hammered-brass top, and a long banquette upholstered in vintage saddle leather.

The space is adorned with equestrian art and a wood-panelled ceiling with strips of velvet billiard cloth. Tan leather banquettes fill the space, reminiscent of vintage New York dining rooms but anglo-cised with tartan pillows. 

Serving iconic cocktails and a high-end menu, the new space has tables for 24 guests with an additional 12 seats at the bar.

The new London concept comes after a rough end of the year for Ralph Lauren, who quietly closed its Hong Kong flagship store in the exclusive shopping district of Lee Garden in Causeway Bay, just two years after opening it.

In September 2016, Ralph Lauren also decided to discontinue Denim & Supply, the brand targeting a younger clientele, blending denim culture with bohemian and military influences.