Last updated on February 8th, 2016 at 01:03 pm
Pepsi plans to launch Kola House, the first experimental kola bar, restaurant, lounge and event space in New York City’s Meatpacking District this spring.
“We wanted to create a modern hub for consumers to share social and immersive experiences that were anchored in the exploration of our cola’s artisanal craft and flavor,” said Seth Kaufman, chief marketing officer at PepsiCo North America Beverages. “The Kola House represents a new space for us to support our consumer-first approach to drive authenticity and innovation around our beverage offerings and ideals.”
Kola House’s experimental and elemental themes will be brought to life through resident cocktail curator Alex Ott. Ott’s background in flavor chemistry and his superior knowledge of food and beverage pairings and global palates make him the ideal mastermind behind the development of Kola House’s cocktails and elixirs. A full artisanal menu from a rising resident executive chef also will offer specialty plates inspired by the kola nut.
The flagship location also will serve as an event space for pop culture moments in music, art, style, film, sports and more. Pepsi is leveraging its broad partnership with Live Nation to help build out a special music series, Live at the Kola House, which will serve as tent pole moments throughout its year-long programming. Each of the intimate, stripped down performances will bring fans up close to the artists both visually and acoustically for the shows.
Kola House also will include a modular series at key events in pop culture that will replicate the experience of the flagship location, with local themes and ties woven into the food, beverage and designs.
