Has Axe House in JLT closed for good? It's not an open-and-shut case

It's closed for good, it's opening in another location, it's just closed for a week: different players have distinctly different things to report

The popular Axe House in JLT suddenly closed its doors earlier this week. 

Popular JLT brunch destination and watering hole Axe House suddenly closed on September 23, and it remains a mystery as to whether it will ever see the light of day again.

A statement released by Umami Communications, which was appointed to manage Axe House's marketing and social media in June, reveals that the PR agency has severed ties with the Axe House management company, Ledingham Drake Solutions: “I would like to formally announce the termination of our agreement representing Axe House, Ledingham Drake Solutions and all affiliated management partners involved with the Axe House brand,” says Umami Communications CEO Colin Hutton.

“At Umami, we are committed to work with brands and organisations that align with our own core values of integrity and honesty. We look forward to continuing our relationship with our existing partners and clients that also celebrate these important values."

While they cannot be entirely sure of Ledingham Drake's future plans, the Umami team are skeptical as to whether Axe House will be resurrected anytime soon. Either way, they have distanced themselves from the eatery and its management with immediate effect.

However, a spokesperson from Ledingham Drake Solutions told The National that Axe House is simply under maintenance and should reopen in September itself. "Axe House will be back next week after maintenance. Same place, same name. We have a good understanding with Armada [hotel]; they love us," a member of the hospitality-management firm told us.

On another note, Axe House was meant to open a second branch at the H hotel on Sheikh Zayed Road, the future of which hangs in the balance, too, given that it was meant to open in October. However, a representative from H Dubai hotel confirms: "We are hoping that the Axe House will open before the end of this year – If not for sure [it] will be early next year."

It's one of JLT's most loved bars, and is always busy. It's best known for its breakfast-brunch and ladies' night, and is London-hipster-themed Axe. It opened in early 2018 in place of Cocktail Kitchen, which was open for less than two years.

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