Public House Launch

Doha, 15 March 2022 - Doha’s first retro American diner and sports bar has officially opened its doors at Marsa Malaz Kempinski becoming a front runner in fun, familiar and inclusive dining experiences. 

The concept 

For the new venue spearheaded by Hotel Manager Mr. Sadbir Sharma blends the most important meal of the day with competitive sports. “I wanted to create a concept for Public House where all rituals come together under one roof, a place where anyone can fit in and feel a true sense of belonging,” said Mr. Sharma. “Whether breaking bread with family and friends, grabbing a drink together, or following the fortunes of your favourite sports team, you can do it all while listening to the retro tunes that you grew up with.” Located in a prime beachside location with its own separate entrance, Public House occupies a 1,145 square-foot space with capacity for up to 170 guests indoors with seating for a further 130 guests outside on an open-air terrace with a bar. “We are excited to welcome Public House into our impressive selection of restaurants, bars and lounges at Marsa Malaz Kempinski,” said Mr. Karim Tayach, Area General Manager of Kempinski Properties GCC Region. “As the first of many exciting new dining concepts to open at the resort this year, we look forward to providing guests with original culinary experiences and to further enhance the resort’s position as one of the top dining destinations in Qatar.”

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Retro Feelings by Design

Whether enjoying leisurely breakfasts whenever the craving arises or soaking up the electric atmosphere of sports, the bright vintage interiors offer a welcoming space. Distinctive black and white floor tiles, counter stool seating at the bar, and islands of custom retro leather booths capture the quintessential hallmarks of the diner experience. Warm shades of burnt orange, midnight blue, and dark woods transport guests to a bygone age, while neon signs with quirky messaging, a curated collection of celebrity-focused art pieces, a 5-metre tall guitar installation, and
a classic digital jukebox further embody the spirit of nostalgia. The open-air terrace offers commanding views of the majestic, palatial architecture of Marsa Malaz Kempinski as well as the resort’s imposing and iconic 18 m bronze horse statue. The bar is a spacious and shady place to
gather for refreshing beverages, while large screens are dotted around the terrace to enjoy live sports action. Atmospheric lighting and signature neon signs flicker to life in the evenings for the perfect Instagrammable moments.
 

Personalized Service, Where Everybody Knows My Name

The cornerstone of the Public House experience is a warm welcome to make guests feel at home and a friendly, personalized service. “I took inspiration from a trip overseas where all the staff in a bar took time to know my name and my preferences”, said Mr. Sharma. “This simple recognition, especially in a faraway city means guests feel appreciated in a place that knows them best. A place where everybody knows your name and keeps score of your habits and preferences.” By placing “Aces in their Places,” the strengths and talents of each staff member are utilised to create personalized moments and an emotional connection with every guest that goes beyond expectations.

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Satisfy Your Craving, at Any Time

At Public House, diners embark on a culinary journey back to the good old days, where a visit to a family home began with a freshly prepared breakfast. Equipped with a large open kitchen, the chef team are ready to serve guests what they crave most at any time, whether re-mastered favorites such as the Bacon Egg Cheese Sandwich with hickory beef bacon and jalapeno cornbread or Buttermilk Pancake Stacks with a selection of seasonal jams, whipped maple butter and fresh berries. "What I observed in Doha was that many of the five-star hotels only serve breakfast at traditional times, despite International flights arriving at all hours of the day," said Mr. Sharma. "At Public House, guests can feel comfortable to order a breakfast at 4 pm if that is what they were craving most, as they adjust to the new time zone after a long flight." Specialties from the all-day dining menu include; a Nacho’s Rancheros sharing platter with guacamole, pico de gallo, and jalapeno cheddar cheese; and Brisket Hash Brown Sliders slathered with house barbeque sauce, good ol’ American slaw and pickles served between two crispy hash browns. The menu was developed in partnership with restaurant consultation Chef Justin Chen Yu and focuses on comfort food choices such as lobster and crab rolls, corn dogs, wings, beef and lamb ribs, chargrilled burgers, and premium cuts from the grill. Vegetarian choices such as Beyond Meat plant-based burgers, a selection of nutritious Poke Bowls, and granola with Greek yoghurt are also available. “There is something to satisfy everyone’s cravings and it was exciting to work with Chef Justin on the culinary direction for Public House,” said Mr. Sharma. “We look forward to unveiling these amazing new dishes to our guests alongside an extensive selection of hot and cold beverages, draft beers, wines, spirits, and hand-crafted cocktails.”

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Adding Joy Through Music

The jukebox was a major part of American diner culture and an upcoming daily activation at Public House called Juke Around caters to guests’ hunger for the nostalgic sounds of their youth. When the Let’s Juke Around neon sign is lit above the retro-style digital jukebox, diners can buy coins from the bar to blast out their favourite hits from yesteryear. “The Juke Around concept was born from a desire to create an atmosphere where guests could engage with the popular hits of their generation,” said Mr. Sharma. “There will not just be one specific decade of music, but rather an extensive collection of timeless tunes that define popular culture.” At night, the atmosphere at Public House will come alive with a live band and DJ sessions on the terrace to keep the retro vibes going.
 

Sports in Style

As Qatar becomes more sports-orientated in the run-up to November’s football World Cup, the concept for Public House subverts and remasters the typical sports bar ambiance to present a novel way to enjoy live sports. “Traditionally, sports bars have a generally darker, louder pub and bar ambiance which does not always suit everyone’s tastes,” said Mr. Sharma. “I wanted to offer fans a never-before-seen sports bar experience in one of the world’s most iconic palaces. While the overall ambiance will still give you the feeling of a sports bar, it will be a little bit brighter and inclusive for all.” With over 40 big screens and 2 private dining rooms for gatherings of between 6 and 12 people, guests can choose whether they prefer to watch sports in a smaller, more exclusive environment or to soak up the special ambiance of the match and race days with the local community. The outdoor terrace and bar also serves as the perfect fan zone, while live sports will be accompanied by specials of the day
with iconic dishes from the different sporting cities. The opening times for Public House are from 07.00 am until 1.00 am. Daily happenings will be a big feature and guests can look forward to sporty weekend brunches and fun activations during the week.
 

For more information about Public House visit www.publichousedoha.com or follow on Facebook and Instagram @publichousedoha. For reservations, please call Public House at +974 4035 5011, via WhatsApp +974 7449 6058, or email [email protected]