the US into the existing brand in a subtle way to enhance the essence that customers love about Hickory ’ s . Everything we have done , every detail has been incorporated not to change the brand , but to enhance the essence of Hickory ’ s which customers love .”
“ Heading to Texas with Nathan & Dean was a great way to kickstart the partnership with Harrison . We checked out some of our favourite places that have inspired us for the past 15 years and explored new places . We came back with new ideas for quirky design features , and it ’ s been great seeing everything come together at Hickory ’ s Huddersfield & Hickory ’ s Derby . We ’ ve had some incredible comments from our guests too in both restaurants .” Neil McDonnell , founder of Hickory ’ s Smokehouse explains .
Key design features incorporated to date include :
• Unique and interesting art pieces coupled with carefully selected bric-a-brac create the look of a restaurant which has been added to and evolved over years , influenced by southern farming culture .
• Enhanced the back bar with large industrial cage units which are back lit to highlight the huge range of bourbons .
• Increased counter depth with larger stools – especially in comparison to UK bars – making the American-style bar the place to be for dining and socialising , or dining solo .
• A large TV screen as the central feature to showcase sports from both sides of the pond .
• Refined upholstered seating and charter tables dial up the level of comfort and refinement , evocative of a New York steak house vs a Texan BBQ joint .
• Moody lighting to recreate the thick , smoke and BBQ-filled smokehouse atmosphere coupled with materials with aged , authentic qualities distinctive of smokehouses in the US .
• Inspiration from US barn structures which in the US have often been transformed into some of the most famous BBQ joints . These include reclaimed timber planks cladding the walls and a 4m beamed barn ceiling .
• In Huddersfield , we had the opportunity to play with a vaulted ceiling lined with distressed corrugated sheets , creating the feeling of being in an old tin shack smoke house .
• Contrasting elements and playing with different materials – from corrugated tin to refined and upholstered seating gives a unique Hickory ’ s twist to the space .
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