Ask people what they think of the Revolution bars and the most common response is likely to be vodka. That perception is something the chain is trying to change by offering high quality, fresh food and a more family and business friendly atmosphere.

Two Leicestershire branches are leading the way and Soar visited the Loughborough bar to meet General Manager, Nick Taylor and hear about the culinary Revolution…

“Some people are unaware that Revolution does food. It’s fresh, seasonal and is prepared on site. As Revolution is also a nightclub, many people don’t understand that we’re open in the daytime.”

Nick is proud of the variety of food Revolution provides, including the healthy options on offer.

“A lot of fresh ingredients go into the recipes for the spring menu, which is themed around Great British bar food. It includes good old fashioned meals, like handmade burgers, pizzas and platters.

“There will be healthy eating spring specials, including fresh vegetables and seasonal produce. We do five different menus a year, one for each season and then a Christmas one.”

The freshness of the food and providing a classy, yet relaxed dining experience is crucial to keeping customers happy. Nick is confident that Revolution does just that.

“We offer healthy food, with quite a few salads and low carbohydrate options. We have highchairs and baby changing units, with the aim of being as family friendly as possible.

“With signature dishes like the Vodka Pizza and Vodka Burger, we have something that is exclusive to us.”

 Both were sampled by three hungry Soar reporters and the freshness and quality was abundantly clear from the first bite. The vodka taste doesn’t overpower either dish, but adds a little extra to each mouthful.

The pizza was cooked to perfection and generously covered in chicken, chorizo, chilli, balsamic glaze and rocket. The beef in the burger was tender and perfectly cooked, with sumptuous sides, including onion rings and chunky chips.

The Loughborough bar has a capacity of 700, but sees a lot more visitors on a busy Saturday night.

“We advise people to join the guestlist through Facebook, book a table in advance, or simply arrive early to avoid disappointment, as we can be very busy at the weekends. We also encourage people to provide photo ID as we operate an ID scan system that increases the safety of our customers and staff, providing a more enjoyable atmosphere.”

Offering more of a premium service is a major factor in targeting the required clientele, as Nick explained.

“We want people to enjoy the food and want them to come back. We are confident about the quality of our products and service, and offer great value for money with our privilege card. Anyone can pick this up for just £4, saving you hundreds of pounds all year round.”

Traditionally very popular with students and young people on a night out, Revolution now has something to offer throughout the day and until the early hours of the morning.

Visitors can eat until the end of the night, and a greasy kebab in the taxi ride home from a club could be a thing of the past, as Revolution offer a take out service for their freshly prepared pizzas.

“We offer our full menu until 9pm and pizzas until we close. These can be taken away until 4am if required and they do that at the Leicester branch as well.”

Aside from student nights on Mondays and privilege card offers such as two for one discounts, Revolution are also hoping to attract local business people.

The ‘Fifteen Minute Promise’ is an offer for people eating lunch between 11am and 2pm. If the food isn’t on your table within 15 minutes of you placing your order then it comes for free.

“We are targeting business people for meetings and working lunches. If your food doesn’t come within fifteen minutes then it’s free. That’s an incentive for people. They might be in a rush or have important meetings afterwards and cannot afford to wait.

“If you’re on a tight schedule and there’s quite a few of you, you can either call or drop us an email and make payment over the phone too.”

Nick has been with Revolution for seven and a half years, spending three and a half of those at the Leicester branch and a year at Loughborough, experiencing the transformation of the bar’s image at first hand.

“There have been massive changes over the years. When I started, food wasn’t really something that we did, apart from sandwiches.

“As the company has developed it’s become more food focused. It used to be all about the vodka, now it’s also about the food and the service.”

The spring menu runs from March 14th to June 10th 2010. See the magazine for voucher offers.

For further information visit www.revolution-bars.co.uk