Beach bar to replace empty Gin & Olive in Southampton

A beach bar and restaurant serving up a storm will replace the former Gin & Olive site.

Tsunami Beach Bar will give Southampton punters a taste of the tropics – but sadly cannot guarantee the warm weather.

Couple Lois Stander, 28, and Nicholas Kershaw are excited to launch their new business venture.

Lois Stander and Nicholas Kershaw (Image: Lois Stander)

"We are trying to offer something different to what you usually find in England," Nicholas, 31, said.

Hailing from South Africa, the pair moved to Southampton a couple of years ago.

Their exciting business plans have been in the pipeline for five years when the pair decided to leave their home country behind.

Nicholas said: “We had a very similar concept in South Africa, and we wanted to open something here.

“It was extremely successful, but the country is finished. We could not grow it as a brand.

“In Southampton, we want to make an impact. We have tricks up our sleeves when it comes to creating something different.”

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With several bars and restaurants lining Above Bar Street, what can people expect that is so different?

Affordable food and a beachside dining and drinking experience, according to Nicholas and Lois.

Nicholas added: “We want to offer something fun and energetic in the area.

“The restaurant will be decorated with tropical plants and flowers, so it will be a relaxing environment.

“It’s like going on holiday - but we can’t do much about the sun – and we will bring the beach to you.”

Live entertainment will be on offer on a regular basis, with a particular focus on showcasing acoustic performers.

Food will range from a variety of seafood dishes to burgers, pizzas, and more.

The pair are hoping to open their doors to the public in about eight weeks’ time.

Lois said: “We have been planning this for a while – it’s been five years in the making.

“We are excited to start this new adventure.”

Nicholas added: “It has been a long process involving a lot of planning.”

Tsunami Beach Bars will trade seven days a week and will create several new jobs – although the specific number is yet to be confirmed.

Following the sudden closure of Gin & Olive in November 2022, an electric bike shop was due to take over the premises.

However, this did not come to fruition.

Around 30 Gin & Olive staff members were left jobless after the closure.

The eatery failed to pay rent and service charges totalling over six figures, according to the landlord's solicitors.