AB Restaurants is the foremost hospitality group in Kazakhstan, and is the first venture for Condé Nast International Restaurants in this country.
Jonathan Newhouse, Chairman and Chief Executive of Condé Nast International said, “The opening of GQ Bar in Kazakhstan marks the first time a Condé Nast brand has established a presence in this thriving central Asian market. It is a gratifying step.”
Gary Robinson, Director of Condé Nast International Restaurants commented, “We are pleased to be partnering with AB Restaurants in Kazakhstan, the behemoth of Central Asia. Almaty is an obvious choice for a GQ Bar – there is significant demand from the young professional men of Kazakhstan for an aspirational venue, and we can offer such a space for work and pleasure in its cultural and commercial capital. This is a city with serious staying power, full of excitement and with vast potential – exactly like the GQ man.”
Askar Baitassov, Managing Director of AB Restaurants added, “We are honoured to be partnering with Condé Nast International. Our mutual goal is to bring a positive change to the local restaurant scene in Kazakhstan by creating a must-visit destination for locals and visiting internationals who are looking for style and substance. We look forward to establishing and nurturing a long-lasting and professional relationship with GQ and Condé Nast International Restaurants.”
Sister establishments Vogue Café and Tatler Club are already in operation in Moscow, where they cater to a high-end clientele, as well as the Vogue Café in The Dubai Mall. Openings scheduled for 2013 include GQ Bar Dubai, Vogue Club in Singapore and Vogue Café in Kiev. The location of the GQ Bar Almaty will be announced shortly, with the opening due in the next 12 months.
Condé Nast International is extending its main media brands to restaurants globally, under licensing arrangements with experienced, successful operators in each market. Brands expanding into cafés and bars will include Vogue, Tatler and GQ. The concept for Condé Nast International Restaurants began several years ago in Russia, where Condé Nast licenses Vogue Café and Tatler Club to an independent operator, Arkady Novikov. The programme is not limited to the countries where Condé Nast publishes, but also encompasses new and emerging markets where the brands do not have a local presence.
