Hakkasan

{{Infobox restaurant

| name = Hakkasan

| logo = Hakkasan logo.png

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| image = Hakkasan London - 3.jpg

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| image_caption = Hakkasan's London location

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| established = 2001

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| current-owner = Tao Group Hospitality

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| food-type = Cantonese

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| country = China

India

Oman

Qatar

Spain

Turkey

United Arab Emirates

United Kingdom

United States

| website = [https://taogroup.com/venues/?venue_brands=hakkasan taogroup.com]

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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 Wagamama Japanese restaurants and later the Yauatcha restaurant, also in London. It serves modern Cantonese cuisine fused with Western upscale dining experience.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Djd21CZ8p8cC&pg=PA376 |title=Food Britannia |first=Andrew|last= Web |year=2011 |isbn= 978-1847946232 |page=378 |publisher=Random House }} Hakkasan, the former flagship brand of the Hakkasan Group, has branched into hospitality and entertainment, including opening a nightclub in Las Vegas.

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, 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.{{Cite web |last=Sheckells |first=Melinda |date=2021-04-28 |title=Tao Group Acquires Hakkasan Group In Major Merger for Las Vegas Nightlife |url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/tao-group-acquires-hakkasan-group-las-vegas-hospitality/ |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=Billboard |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |title=📰 Online Poker Billionaire Mark Scheinberg in Talks to Acquire Hakkasan Owner |url=https://www.pokertube.com/article/online-poker-billionaire-mark-scheinberg-in-talks-to-acquire-hakkasan-owner |access-date=2025-04-10 |website=PokerTube |language=en-US}}

History

The restaurant opened in April 2001 at Hanway Place, London by Alan Yau.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6Oxh3JUVK3sC&pg=PA185 |title=China to Chinatown: Chinese Food in the West |first=J.A.G. |last=Roberts |publisher=Reaktion Books |date= 2004|isbn= 978-1861892270 }}{{cite web |url=https://hakkasan.com/hanway-place/ |title=Hanway Place |work=Hakkasan |date=4 October 2023 }} 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. Elements of the restaurant design are replicated in other Hakkasan restaurants.{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0nRm7TfbjsUC&pg=PT34 |title=Restaurant Design|first= Bethan |last=Ryder |year=2004|page= 43|publisher=Laurence King |isbn=9781856693639}}

In January 2008, Yau sold the majority interest of Hakkasan and Yauatcha to Tasameem Real Estate, an investment company based in Abu Dhabi.{{cite news |url=http://www.chinadaily.com.cn/a/201404/18/WS5a30c7e7a3108bc8c672eb67.html |title= Going beyond chow mein| date=18 April 2014|work=China Daily}}{{cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/key-figure-in-1mdb-probe-is-arrested-in-abu-dhabi-1471561639 |title=Key Figure in 1MDB Probe Is Arrested in Abu Dhabi |first=Bradley|last= Hope|date=18 August 2016|work=The Wall Street Journal}}{{cite news |url=https://www.scmp.com/article/622495/hk-born-alan-yau-sells-pair-london-restaurants-us60m |title= HK-born Alan Yau sells pair of London restaurants for US$60m|date=11 January 2008|work=South China Morning Post}} 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.{{cite web |url=http://www.hakkasan.com |title=Hakkasan }} 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.{{cite web |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2013/08/15/hakkasan-evolution-growing-from-las-vegas-megaclub-to-global-lifestyle-brand/ |title=Hakkasan Evolution: Growing From Las Vegas Megaclub To Global Lifestyle Brand |first=Ryan |last=Mac |work=Forbes|date=15 August 2013}}

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.{{cite web |url=https://www.boemagazine.com/2017/02/luxury-marrakech-ling-ling-hakkasan/ |title=Luxury in MarrakechA – Ling Ling by Hakkasan |work=Business of Everything |date=2 February 2017 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.passionforhospitality.net/ling-ling-mykonos-glamorous-cantonese-cuisine-hakkasan/ |title=Ling Ling Mykonos: Glamorous Cantonese cuisine by Hakkasan |first=Elena |last=Sergeeva |date=13 October 2017 |work=Passion for Greece |access-date=6 November 2019 |archive-date=6 November 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191106014333/https://www.passionforhospitality.net/ling-ling-mykonos-glamorous-cantonese-cuisine-hakkasan/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web|url=http://www.dn.no/smak/2017/03/12/1140/Restauranter/-vi-kommer-til-a-ha-mange-av-hakkasans-signaturretter|title=– Vi kommer til å ha mange av Hakkasans signaturretter|date=12 March 2017 }}{{cite web|url=http://www.dagbladet.no/mat/stjernenes-favorittrestaurant-apner-i-norge/67095478|title=Superkjendisenes favorittrestaurant åpner i Oslo|date=20 March 2017}} 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.{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jimdobson/2018/04/05/hakkasan-expands-omnia-dayclub-and-restaurant-brands-to-vidanta-los-cabos-and-beyond/#1a0caa30450b|title=Hakkasan Expands Omnia Dayclub and Restaurant Brands To Vidanta Los Cabos And Beyond|first=Jim|last=Dobson|website=Forbes }}

In May 2020, the Hakkasan Group announced the permanent closure of their San Francisco restaurant, due to the economic impact of COVID-19.{{cite web|url=https://www.sfgate.com/food/article/San-Francisco-s-Hakkasan-will-close-permanently-15301850.php|title=San Francisco's Hakkasan will close permanently|date=28 May 2020 |publisher=SFGate}} Later in the year, the New York branch also closed for the same reason.{{cite web |url= https://w42st.com/post/hakkasan-closes-exit-the-dragon/ |title=Hakkasan Closes — Exit the Dragon|first=Sandra |last=Mangan|date=November 6, 2020|work=W42St}}

Hakkasan Las Vegas

File:The Chainsmokers at Hakkasan Night Club, Las Vegas - 35072203621.jpg performing at the Hakkasan nightclub in Las Vegas]]

In 2013, Hakkasan formed a partnership with Angel Management Group creating their first nightclub located at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas.{{cite web|last=Mac|first=Ryan|title=DJ Wars: Inside The Las Vegas Battles for the World's Top Electronic Music Talent|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2013/08/14/dj-wars-inside-the-las-vegas-battles-for-top-electronic-music-talent/|work=Forbes}}{{cite web|last=Mac|first=Ryan|title=Hakkasan Evolution: Growing From Las Vegas Megaclub To Global Lifestyle Brand|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/ryanmac/2013/08/15/hakkasan-evolution-growing-from-las-vegas-megaclub-to-global-lifestyle-brand|work=Forbes}} The five-story 80,000 square foot 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 . DJs such as Tiësto are paid from $150,000 to $300,000 per night.{{Cite magazine|last=Sheckells|first=Melinda|date=2021-04-15|title=Tiësto Starting 'New Life in Las Vegas' With 3-Year Zouk Group Deal|url=https://www.billboard.com/pro/tiesto-las-vegas-zouk-group-deal-resorts-world-venues-interview/|access-date=2021-11-25|magazine=Billboard|language=en-US}}

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.{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/1419087/Chinese-restaurant-wins-Michelin-star.html |title=Chinese restaurant wins Michelin star |first= Peter |last=Foster|date= 17 January 2003 |work=The Telegraph }}{{cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=vkxV79F3Gh4C&q=hakkasan+michelin |title=Time out guide pubs & bars|publisher=Time Out Guides Ltd.|date= 2003 |page=42|isbn=9780903446839}} The second restaurant opened in Mayfair also received a Michelin star in 2012; both lost their Michelin star in 2024.{{cite news |url=https://www.standard.co.uk/going-out/restaurants/michelin-stars-london-2024-hakkasan-barrafina-b1137370.html|title=Michelin Guide 2024: Chinese restaurant Hakkasan loses star after 20 years|first=Josh |last=Barry |work=The Standard |date=6 February 2024 }} 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,{{cite web |url=https://www.theworlds50best.com/list/past-lists/2004 |title=2004 List |work=The World's Best 50 Best Restaurants }} and 19th in 2008.{{cite web |url=https://www.theworlds50best.com/list/past-lists/2008 |title=2008 List |work=The World's Best 50 Best Restaurants }}

The Hakkasan nightclub in Las Vegas was ranked No. 3 in the list of Top 100 clubs by DJ Magazine in 2015.{{cite web |url=https://djmag.com/content/poll-clubs-2015-hakkasan |title=Hakkasan |work=DJ magazine |access-date=6 November 2019 |archive-date=10 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200810025812/https://djmag.com/content/poll-clubs-2015-hakkasan |url-status=dead }}

Hakkasan Group brands

By 2020, the Hakkasan Group had locations in North America, Europe, Asia, and Northern Africa.{{Cite web |last= |date=2020-01-07 |title=Portfolio of Brands & Venues {{!}} Hakkasan Group |url=https://hakkasangroup.com/portfolio/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200107062307/https://hakkasangroup.com/portfolio/ |archive-date=2020-01-07 |access-date= |website=Hakkasan Group |language=en-US}} Prior to its acquisition by Tao in 2021, Hakkasan operated the following brands: