Bodean’s, the London barbecue restaurant group founded in 2002, has closed all three of its remaining restaurants in Soho, Tower Hill and Camden. A notice published on the company’s website says the locations are “currently closed”, although the business has also said it hopes to welcome customers again in the future.
The closures bring an abrupt interruption to a restaurant business that once operated eight sites across the capital. Bodean’s became known for Kansas City-style barbecue and a menu centred on slow-smoked meats, bourbon and beer, with its original Soho restaurant opening on Poland Street 24 years ago.
All Three Remaining Bodean’s Restaurants Are Closed
The company has not announced a reopening date for any of its three restaurants. According to the Daily Express, the notice on Bodean’s website apologised for the closure of its Soho, Tower Hill and Camden locations and thanked customers for their continued support.
“We’re currently closed. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience this may cause and would like to thank you for your continued support and loyalty,” the message said. “We appreciate your understanding during this time and hope to welcome you again in the future.”
The wording leaves open the possibility of a future return, but the material published by the company provides no further details about when, or in what form, that might happen. Bodean’s was created by Andre Blais in 2002. Its first restaurant opened in Soho with the aim of bringing Kansas City-style slow-smoked meats, bourbon and beer to London.
At its peak, the group operated eight restaurants across the city. Its previous locations included Clapham, Fulham, Balham, Old Street, Covent Garden and Muswell Hill, alongside the three sites that remained in Soho, Tower Hill and Camden. The menu was built around American barbecue dishes including slow-smoked brisket, pulled pork, baby back ribs, burnt ends, Texas hot links and sharing platters.
Management Changes Preceded the Restaurant Closures
Bodean’s had undergone several management and menu changes in the years before the closures. Founder Andre Blais stepped back from the day-to-day running of the business in 2020.
Former Hawksmoor executive chef Richard Turner joined the group as chef director last year. According to The Sun, Turner introduced a new menu across the restaurants based on Bodean’s original philosophy of “barbecue, bourbon and beer”. Gemma Hampton-Stone took over as managing director in late 2024, according to the Daily Express.
The Bodean’s closures come shortly after another restaurant operator confirmed plans to shut its UK estate. Bar + Block, the steakhouse chain owned by Whitbread, has announced that all 20 of its restaurants in the UK and Northern Ireland will close permanently on 3 September.
The Sun reported that restaurant businesses have been facing higher employment costs, rising business rates, inflation and lower customer spending. For Bodean’s, the immediate position remains limited to the statement published by the company itself: its three restaurants are closed, customers have been thanked for their loyalty, and the business says it hopes to welcome guests again in the future.
