Bradford-based industrial design bistro Bear’s Den is marking its first year in business by partnering with local mental health charity Mind in Bradford to stage a celebratory first anniversary evening.
A year after launching, Bear’s Den continues to pick up rave reviews from hungry theatre go-ers and is expanding its network of local suppliers. It is staging a first anniversary party on Friday 29 November with food provided in exchange for a donation to charity partners, Mind in Bradford.
The business, which launched last November at the popular Sunbridge Wells retail complex, is looking forward to building on its first year in business after successfully establishing itself as a popular venue with theatre visitors and diners looking for something different in Bradford city centre.
Bear’s Den, is the brainchild of one of Yorkshires leading event caterers Bears Pantry and offers over 15 wines by the glass, together with an extensive range of craft beers, ales and gins. A number of collaborative brews have already been trialled with leading independent local breweries with more partnerships in the pipeline.
Serving up the very best local charcuterie and cheese boards, specialist toasties, authentic kebabs and vegan and vegetarian mezze sharers, Bear’s Den is continually innovating playing to the theatre crowd often with theatrically inspired speciality dishes together with discounts for guests attending performances.
Manager Rich Kendrick recently introduced a popular kids sharing board to coincide with pantomime season. Co-designed by one of Bear’s Den’s very own resident 8-year-olds this special seasonal share includes chicken goujons, mini hot dogs, veggie sticks, macaroni cheese, raisins, leaves, grapes, brownies and Skittles and is the perfect accompaniment to a night at the panto.
All ingredients are sourced from independent Bradford suppliers where possible, many of them in the city’s bustling Oastler market and St James’ trade market. Coffee is supplied by Bradford-based Casa Espresso.
Rich Kendrick, director and manager of Bear’s Den, commented: “We’ve had a great first year with Bear’s Den and really carved out a niche audience in the city centre with a strong focus on catering specifically for the theatre community who previously had very little choice. We’re bringing people into the city, helping them make more of an evening of it by giving them a convenient and greater choice and then we’re bringing them back for more. It’s all good news for Bradford. Sunbridge Wells is the ideal home for us too as the range of restaurants and bars in a setting in keeping with the history and ambience of Bradford whilst pushing fierce independence and entrepreneurial spirit is strong motivation for us to continue to innovate and helps up play to our growing audience.
“As we build on our first year of success, we will continue to produce everything on site as we have done since day one working with local suppliers and producers where possible.”
Bear’s Den first birthday party takes place from 7.30pm of Friday 29 November with free entry, DJ and live music from Brendan McMahon. Donations from food ordered throughout the evening will go towards Mind in Bradford.
