City of London bar to become destination Japanese restaurant under new operator

The contemporary venue, split across ground floor and basement spaces with outdoor seating, sits at the heart of London’s Legal Quarter in Holborn and previously operated as a popular pub and bar.

The lease for the venue has been sold to Alan Tse, the owner of Dotori, one of London’s most beloved Korean-Japanese restaurants. Alan plans to relaunch the venue as The Azuki Room, an intimate new Japanese restaurant which is due to open in the coming months.

Alan began his food journey at a young age, helping in his family’s Chinese takeaway before later exploring Japanese cuisine during a formative gap year in Tokyo. After graduating from Kingston University, he met Sam Kang, the founder of Dotori, who was looking for someone to carry on the legacy of the restaurant he had built. Alan stepped in and for the next eight years continued Dotori’s legacy of warm service, great food, and honest pricing. To further deepen his knowledge, Alan trained at the Japan Culinary Institute in Tokyo.

Alan commented, “Tucked away in a quiet corner of Holborn, The Azuki Room, formerly The Pineapple Club, is an intimate new destination blending fine Japanese cuisine with the soulful energy of a Tokyo backstreet izakaya.

“The Azuki Room reflects a personal culinary journey shaped by heritage, mentorship, and a deep passion for Japanese cooking. In the early evening, guests are invited to enjoy a refined chef’s tasting menu. As night approaches, the space shifts into a vibrant izakaya-style lounge and a relaxed, social setting, open until 2AM.

“We’re also proud to be bringing in an exceptional lunch offering, with beautifully crafted set meals at accessible prices, perfect for busy Londoners or a peaceful midday break.”

David Wilson, Associate Director at Christie & Co, managed the sale process and said, “We are delighted to announce the leasehold sale of the Pineapple Club, soon to be Japanese bar and restaurant The Azuki Room, ending a six tenure under its former owners The Happiness Cartel. This venue is a hidden gem off Chancery Lane and generated significant interest on the market, which is evidence of the demand we are seeing for leasehold pub and restaurant businesses in the capital. With high demand from buyers, we would encourage leasehold owners of pub businesses in London to get in touch for specialist marketing advice.”

The lease has been sold by Tim Moore, who added, “We would like to thank David from Christie & Co for his support in getting our sale completed and wish the new operator well in their venture.”

For further information on this press release, contact:
Jasmine Davis, Corporate Communications Manager
P: +44 7561 115179
E: jasmine.davis@christie.com

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