Electric Star Pubs readies second restaurant

Shoreditch venue The Light Bar will relaunch under new ownership in February, as the team behind pub group Electric Star Pubs expands its restaurant offer. 

The launch of Firestarter in October 2025 marked the group's first move into dedicated dining after 15 years of operating a pub and festival portfolio.

With The Light Bar, founder Rob Star (pictured) has brought in head chef Jake Aycliffe, who joins from Rogues in Bethnal Green, where he was head chef for four years.

Star will lead on relaunch plans at The Light Bar, overseeing the food, drinks and music programme over the coming months, having taken over the venue lease alongside fellow directors Morten Jensen, Jacob Husley and Steve Macri.

“This one is a no-brainer for me," says Star. "I came as a punter back in the day when it was The Light, and it was always one of my favourite places to party. It’s an iconic Shoreditch building and I’m proud to be responsible for its next incarnation. We’ve got big plans for 2026, and cannot wait to get The Light Bar officially relaunched and shining bright again next month."

Light it up

Officially relaunching on Sunday 1 February and located halfway between Liverpool Street and Shoreditch High Street, The Light Bar will have refreshed interiors ahead of the relaunch, offering a mezzanine bar platform overlooking the main restaurant area.

There will be a third floor club space known as The Timber Loft, which will run a schedule of regular DJ and club nights, including a series of Sunday day parties.

The 100-cover ground floor restaurant will serve lunch and dinner Tuesday to Saturday, showcasing the best of British produce and the seasons, offering, in Aycliffe's own words, "proper plates of food". 

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