New dawn for Dusk following city bar acquisition
York hospitality company, Fabler Bars Ltd which runs Thor’s Tipi, has extended its portfolio with an acquisition in the city.
Fabler Bars, run by husband and wife directors Richard and Amanda Monaghan, has bought Dusk Bar, in New Street. The six-figure deal was advised on by the commercial team of law firm Harrowells, led by partner Susie Mortonson.
Dusk owner Andy Knights, who between 2004 and 2022 developed the venue into one of the city centre’s best-known bars, put it on the market while planning a career change.
The acquisition, which includes the transfer of 12 bar workers, takes Fabler Bars Ltd’s full-time staff complement to 20 – including Thor’s Tipi’s workers – along with a multi-million pound turnover.
The Monaghans, who have more than 30 years combined events and hospitality experience, launched pop-up hospitality venture Thor’s Tipi in 2015. They use Scandinavian-style Tipi’s to run restaurant-bars during summer and Christmas in York, Leeds, Lincoln and Hyde Park Winter Wonderland, London.
Amanda Monaghan said: “Dusk Bar popped onto our radar when we were looking to develop our Thor’s business with a bricks and mortar establishment to which we could bring the values of Thor’s and benefit from all-year-round opening.
“Dusk complements Thor’s and, as well as becoming a valuable part of our business, will be used to train staff and aid our development by adding expertise from mainstream hospitality.
“We will keep the Dusk name, clientele and style but aim to re-brand, refresh and renovate early in 2023. We’ll also bring our ‘pop-up event’ knowledge to Dusk to keep it fresh but this is not a takeover as Dusk is a York institution and we will enhance what makes it special.
“We have been delighted with Harrowells. Susie Mortonson helped to push things through in what was a long-winded process with lots of stakeholders and we appreciated their tenacity and patience.”
Mortonson was supported by employment partner Gillian Markland and property solicitor, Rebecca Jennings, on employment and property law aspects respectively, as well as the wider members of the corporate team.
Mortonson said: “It was a pleasure to advise Richard and Amanda in broadening the Fabler portfolio. Helping them acquire their first ‘bricks and mortar’ bar is hugely satisfying.
“I am sure that, with their drive and passion for hospitality and the York marketplace, they will make a great success of this venture.”
Knights, who plans to volunteer and travel overseas, added: “Richard and Amanda are great people. We had a good relationship throughout the process and I doubt I would have sold it to anyone that I felt would have not looked after Dusk.”
