At the centre of Olympia’s changing food and nightlife scene, Pillar Hall is carving out a new identity as a design-led destination for dining, drinks and live entertainment. The Grade II listed landmark brings together several distinct spaces under one roof, from the modern British restaurant Idalia to Upstairs at Pillar Hall, a dramatic double-height room that hosts live music and private events. The building itself comes with serious cultural credentials too: it was once home to one of the UK’s earliest cinemas and later staged Vivienne Westwood’s debut catwalk show.
But for those in the know, the real intrigue begins downstairs. Hidden beneath the main venue, Pepperbird channels the spirit of Olympia’s jazz and rock heyday during the 1960s and 70s, reimagined as an underground speakeasy with a distinctly modern edge.
The interiors immediately set the tone. Ruby reds, burnt oranges and deep, saturated colours run throughout the space, layered with bold patterns, low lighting and vintage-inspired details that feel theatrical without tipping into gimmicky. There’s a sense of movement to the room. It feels energetic, vibrant and slightly decadent, making it just as suited to late-night cocktails as it is to settling in for dinner before live music upstairs.
In terms of food, Pepperbird's menu hasn't yet been released but what we can tell you, is that Pillar Hall's overarching food philosophy focuses on modern British cooking shaped by global influences, with an emphasis on high-quality produce sourced from leading UK suppliers. So, you can expect this subterranean bar to follow suit.
As you can imagine, drinks are a major part of the experience too. Alongside a carefully chosen list spotlighting skilled British wine producers, the cocktail programme leans into creativity and theatre, delivering drinks that feel every bit as considered as the interiors around them. While we don't have any examples to share with you yet, judging from the attention to detail across the concept and design scheme, they'll be good!