The Carpenters Arms is now 135 Bar and Lounge. New owner Johan Svensson aims for a glamorous cocktail bar.
The revamped place celebrated its opening with a party held January 31st to February 1st. Johan Svensson is the new owner, having taken over in late 2022.
He shut it down in August 2024 and then changed it into a cocktail bar. Johan wanted a friendly local bar and hoped to create a members club vibe, bringing back old glamour.
He remembered when the bar was fancy and people dressed up in suits. He sees this as a “renaissance.” The focus is on good cocktails, using classic drinks and seasonal ingredients.
Johan purchased the bar from Anthony Hawkes, who owned it for over twenty years. Johan wants to keep the old spirit alive. He said The Carpenters was the place to be and live music was great in that era; people dressed well back then.
Johan aims to add glamour and quality, wanting everyone to feel welcome there, as it used to be. Johan also owns Drinks Fusion, a luxury cocktail business with many years of experience that they brought to the bar.
They removed the old bar entirely and installed a stainless steel cocktail bar with a custom gantry above it. The focus is on quality service; they want to know people and create a positive environment, with great sound.
135 Bar and Lounge is awaiting approval to open until 2 AM on weekends. Weekdays may see closing between 11 PM and midnight, and Sundays may close between 10 PM and 11 PM too.
Closing the pub brought criticism, which Johan knew, but most feedback has been quite positive. The East End keeps changing anyway, and Johan thinks things must change.
He is not trying to steal business but aims to make the area better overall. Johan wants a members club eventually, thinking that would benefit the community. It seems like he has a clear vision.