Knocking down barriers between Wharf bars

Both Via and Bar 38 are owned by Tattershall Castle Group and while Steve has ruled out knocking the walls down to make a super bar he is keen on getting the two working closer together.

He has taken the outside barriers down making a joint alfresco capacity of between 400-500 people.

He said: "We're still debating what we are going to do. We want to keep the individuality of the two bars but we've made the outside one.

"There was always a bit of 'we won't talk to them' attitude between the two bars, but now we've taken the barriers down it's quite symbolic.

"We are also looking into running the food from one kitchen. Standards here are good at Bar 38 and I want the food there the same. And we combine the different skills from each bar."

After Sam resigned from Via, TCG operations manager Paul Marsh called up Steve who only began his second stint at Bar 38 this May.

One of the key areas Steve wants to focus on now is the Dungeon Club in Via.

He said: "I was approached and took the two units on. I've run multi-sites with Paul in the past but never next door.

"We are now looking at promoting the club. Last week it did fantastically. I used the same door staff as here and there was a great atmosphere.

"We stayed open till 1am on the Thursday and put a couple of grand on the take."

The bars are also putting together a deal with Cineworld, where members of the West India Quay cinema get 15 per cent off food and bar bills at Via and Bar 38.