Rhubarb opens new café bar space at Royal Albert Hall

A new café, operated by caterer Rhubarb, has opened at the Royal Albert Hall following £2.2m refurbishment project.

The Zvi and Ofra Meitar Porch and Foyer Café Bar, named after Zvi and Ofra Meitar and their family in recognition of their contribution to the cost of the refurbishment.

The revamp also includes a new box office to make the venue more accessible to the general public and London tourists during the day and has completed in good time for summer and the BBC Proms.

Commenting on the renovation Chris Cotton, chief executive at the Royal Albert Hall, said: "As a charity it is important that we have an open door policy, allowing the public to easily enjoy the venue and its attractions as well as advance this magnificent Grade 1 listed building, through the funds that we generate, for the public benefit.

"Prince Albert's original vision for the Hall was to offer the public access to the arts and 142 years on we're ensuring that is still the case."

The new Café Bar is the venue's sixth dining space and 14th bar and will be operated by the Hall's contracted caterer Rhubarb. Open seven days a week, it will serve breakfast and lunch including a range of freshly baked pastries, sandwiches, paninis, soups, salads and homemade cakes.

The space converts to a bar in the evening, open to guests attending a show as well as the general public.

Cotton added: "Making changes to a Grade I listed building isn't easy and we had to go through the Planning and Fabric Committee to ensure we were renovating the building in the public's best interest.

"We're delighted with the results and the opening of a new catering space within the building for anyone to visit or enjoy, even if you aren't seeing a show here, and look forward to offering more people than ever before, access to one of the world's most iconic buildings."