Hakkasan is a Cantonese restaurant originating in London with 12 locations across the world. The restaurant was founded in 2001 by Alan Yau, who was also behind the WagamamaJapanese restaurants and later the Yauatcha restaurant, also in London. It serves modern Cantonese cuisine fused with Western upscale dining experience.[1][2] Hakkasan, the former flagship brand of the Hakkasan Group, has branched into hospitality and entertainment, including opening a nightclub in Las Vegas.[3]
The Hakkasan Group expanded into multiple restaurants and concepts and by 2020 had operated 61 venues in 22 markets. After the COVID-19 pandemic caused many establishments to close though, Tao Group Hospitality acquired Hakkasan in 2021, a transaction facilitated by Tao's then-parent Madison Square Garden Entertainment prior to PokerStars founder Mark Scheinberg purchasing Madison Square Garden's stake in the merged entity.[4][5]
History
The restaurant opened in April 2001 at Hanway Place, London by Alan Yau.[6][7] It distinguished itself from the other Chinese restaurants in London by offering upmarket fare combined with Western dining experience. The restaurant has a distinctive interior designed by the French designer Christian Liaigre fusing modern aesthetic with traditional Chinese motifs, and features a carved wooden cage as dining space.[6] Elements of the restaurant design are replicated in other Hakkasan restaurants.[8]
In January 2008, Yau sold the majority interest of Hakkasan and Yauatcha to Tasameem Real Estate, an investment company based in Abu Dhabi.[9][10][11] The restaurant expanded quickly, a second London restaurant covering two floors for up to 220 guests opened in November 2010 on Bruton Street in Mayfair.[2][12] Other Hakkasan restaurants have opened in New York City, San Francisco, Miami, Shanghai, Mumbai, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Jakarta, with 12 locations opened in total.[3][2]
The Hakkasan Group opened a number of sister restaurants named Ling Ling in Marrakesh, Mykonos, Mexico City, as well as Aker Brygge in Oslo, Norway opened in April 2017.[13][14][15][16] In April 2018, Hakkasan entered into a partnership with Grupo Vidanta to open a chain of venues including an Omnia Dayclub in Mexico. They have also opened a Dayclub Indonesia with KAJA Group and Alila Hotels, and more planned in Saudi Arabia. The group also intends to open boutique hotels.[17]
In May 2020, the Hakkasan Group announced the permanent closure of their San Francisco restaurant, due to the economic impact of COVID-19.[18] Later in the year, the New York branch also closed for the same reason.[19]
Hakkasan Nightclub
Hakkasan Nightclub
The Hakkasan Nightclub in 2025, with Lil Jon performing
In 2013, Hakkasan formed a partnership with Angel Management Group creating their first nightclub located at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas to replace Studio 54.[20][21] The nightclub and restaurant would be combined into a five level complex taking up a combined floor space of 80,000 square feet across all floors.[22]
The first two floors compose of the restaurant, while the 10,000 square foot third level would become a lounge, which some publications would refer to as the Ling Ling Lounge.[23][24] The venue holds close to 7,500 patrons. It typically features world class DJs such as Calvin Harris, Hardwell, Nervo and Tiësto, some of which have regular residencies .[3] DJs such as Tiësto are paid from $150,000 to $300,000 per night.[25] In 2013, the opening year of the nightclub, Hakkasan spent $65 million that year on residencies, and the total cost of the Hakkasan project totaled to $100 million.[23]
Rankings
The London restaurant on Hanway Place gained its first Michelin star rating in January 2003, and became the first Chinese restaurant in Britain to earn a Michelin star.[26][27] The second restaurant opened in Mayfair also received a Michelin star in 2012; both lost their Michelin star in 2024.[12] In the British magazine Restaurant annual global ranking of The World's 50 Best Restaurants, Hakkasan was ranked in the list from 2004 to 2009, for example, it was rated 14th in 2004,[28] and 19th in 2008.[29]
The Hakkasan nightclub in Las Vegas was ranked No. 3 in the list of Top 100 clubs by DJ Magazine in 2015.[30] As of the most recent edition of DJ Magazine's rankings, Hakkasan placed 58th.[31]
Hakkasan Group brands
By 2020, the Hakkasan Group had locations in North America, Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa.[32] Prior to its acquisition by Tao in 2021, Hakkasan operated the following brands:
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