Inventive Definition: Having the ability to create and design new experiences and think originally. Having launched onto the scene this year with London’s first immersive theatrical cocktail bar Alcotraz, Inventive Productions is promising to continue to innovate and challenge traditional cocktail bar environments in 2018 with ambitions to re-open Alcotraz in the new year and launch a second concept.
Inventive Productions Limited was founded by Sam Shearman, 26, who quit a career in consumer goods to pursue a passion to create transformative immersive experiences which leave a lasting impression with guests. For Sam, reservations inside great cocktail bars can often be cut short by overcomplicated menus. With the sell-out concept Alcotraz, the premise was to challenge such traditional bar environments, remove the need for menus and place the power in the hands of experts to deliver personalised and exceptional cocktails based on guests’ personal taste preferences. This gives the gift of time back to the guest to allow them to take note of the world around them, which hen combined with immersive theatre allows guests to be transported to an alternative world. With Alcotraz, guests are placed in the centre of the action and enjoy the unfolding of theatre around them.
From the moment upon entrance where guests are greeted by the guards of Alcotraz they are transported into a world that has been inspired by Hollywood movies and TV that have brought to life America’s most infamous prison with mind-blowing attention to every little detail. Alcotraz is driving the BYOB trend and has taken this emerging market to new heights, with over 3,000 tickets sold in one month and a Halloween Special sold out in one week. Albeit controversial, London’s first prison themed bar went viral, attracted guests from all over the world and made news stories from London to San Francisco with an estimated coverage reach of 666,000,000.
Inventive Productions believes that a truly great experience is not determined by the things you do see, but rather the things you don’t. Discovery is the greatest form of experience and the company is going to great length to ensure each venue will have hidden experiences within. With the secondconcept firmly under development, it feels as if London’s BYOB scene is only going to go from strength to strength.