Opening at The Electric on Portobello Road in July it will be operated in partnership with JKS Restaurants and the Soho House Group.
The west London follow-up to the Chinatown restaurant on Rupert Street will feature Thai dishes with the same fiery flavours that have made the original a firm favourite among diners. Dishes will include curries, salads, stir-fries and noodles served alongside a drinks menu of cocktails, whisky sodas, and towers of Singha beer.
The new restaurant will be similar to the original in its ethos but will have a different style of interior, which is described as ‘less Bangkok shophouse with a clubhouse above, more engine room’ and will have a chrome Thai speedboat engine as its centrepiece.
Farrell opened Speedboat Bar in late 2020 to celebrate the food and drinking culture of Bangkok’s Chinatown, in particular that found on the capital’s Yaowarat Road, which he describes as being ‘Chinese at its roots but unmistakably Thai in spirit’.
“A Thai speedboat racing team isn’t driven by one person. It’s the whole crew - tight, fearless, and tuned to perfection,” says Farrell of the launch.
“From the meticulous mechanics squeezing every last drop from their engines, to the traditional boat builders, the gleaming livery and bold paintwork down the sides - these machines are a craft. A melding of classic and contemporary, and quintessentially Thai.
“That spirit defines Speedboat Bar. From sourcing ingredients directly from Thailand, to growing the seasonal herbs in my tropical greenhouses, to building a team that can faithfully recreate everything from Bangkok’s Chinatown and beyond. Recipes entrusted to us - some from the racers themselves.
“We’re ready to bring this same energy to the renowned Electric House. Start your engines!”