Cato Covent Garden Launch
Delivering 500M+ Reach for Covent Garden’s Most Anticipated Opening
Cato is an NYC-inspired cocktail bar at 17 Mercer Street, Covent Garden, opened in February 2026. The venue honours Cato Alexander, a freed slave who ran New York’s celebrated Cato’s Tavern in the early 19th century and is widely regarded as the founding father of modern mixology. Created with award-winning bartender Angelos Bafas, and hospitality group Bart & Taylor, Cru delivered a full launch PR strategy.
OUR APPROACH:
We built a layered campaign designed to drip-feed intrigue. Consumer and trade press releases were carefully timed to tease the story, sparking curiosity before full details were confirmed. On-site media previews gave selected journalists an early, intimate look at the space, with interviews arranged to deepen the editorial angle beyond a standard opening piece.
Longer-lead opportunities were pursued in parallel, from a fermentation feature in BA High Life to a full bar review in The London Standard, ensuring Cato's story reached readers well beyond the opening window. The venue was also submitted for Best Cocktail Menu at World's 50 Best, placing it firmly within the global bar conversation from day one.
THE LAUNCH:
The press launch brought together 82 of the most influential voices in food, drink and lifestyle media. Attendees included press from World's 50 Best, GQ, Stylist, The Guardian, BBC Good Food/Olive, The Independent, AMEX Concierge, Sunday Brunch and more.
THE RESULTS:
The campaign delivered exceptional coverage across print, digital and broadcast. Two exclusive opening pieces ran in Broadsheet London and CLASS Magazine, with a full bar feature secured in the Evening Standard. Reviews were booked for the likes of Time Out, The London Standard, Metro, SheerLuxe, and Shortlist, while broader opening coverage has been seen in Wallpaper, Hot Dinners, Club Oenologique, The Nudge, Spirits Business and more.
82 press launch VIPs
2 exclusive opening features
1 full bar review in the Evening Standard
20+ media titles covered
52 pieces of coverage
501M reach