A new dining and nightlife experience is coming to the Granville strip, possibly before the end of the year.
Andonis, a Greek-inspired supper club, is planned in the former home of Cold Tea, the Chinese restaurant that took over a popular spot for late-night food and drinks. The new project aims to bring something akin to Bagatelle in Dubai to Vancouver's core, mixing a high-energy dining experience and nightclub, according to Mohit Dhir of Dhir Hospitality Group.
"It's a large group setting dining experience that gives you that full glimpse of fun energetic service and food qualities," Dhir tells V.I.A.
The space will offer high-end Greek food for dinner, he says, before transitioning to a nightclub in the evening, allowing guests to remain in one place from appetizers to last call.
"Staff are vital to activating the people in their clubbing experience," Dhir explains. "There's a very scientific transition from a dinner set to nightlife."
Named after friend and mentor Andonis "Tony" Pomonis from Gallery Vancouver, Dhir wants to present a high-energy, entertaining experience to guests, including dinner and drinks. That could include a certain showmanship in presentation, like de-boning a red snapper entree at the table.
Following the dining experience, the space will be run as a nightclub, going as late as 3 a.m., Dhir says.
All of this will be done in a venue meant to evoke Greece, from the capital Athens to the islands of Mykonos and Santorini. That includes the white buildings and seaside sunsets with warm, evening colours.
"I've been dreaming to open such a facility for many moons," Dhir says.
Really, a European hospitality sensibility is one of the things he wants to bring to Vancouver. Originally from Grand Prairie, Alta., Dhir went to university, and got his start in the industry, in Switzerland. Inspirations for Andonis also include Barcelona and Ibiza.
"There's nothing of that sort in Vancouver," he says of the planned guest experience, noting he hopes to capture some of the city's visitors when the 2026 FIFA World Cup arrives.
While Dhir has grand plans for the space, so do others. A rezoning application is currently with the city to redevelop that land into a 464-room hotel. When asked about the plans for the land, Dhir says the space will be Andonis's home "for now and the upcoming future." Discussions about the future building haven't happened yet.
At the same time, Dhir notes he's hopeful to turn Andonis into an international brand, but wants to get the Vancouver location off the ground first.
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