The couple behind award-winning Hillsborough restaurant Enver’s Turkish Grill have joined forces with their friends and fellow Sheffield business owners to open a brand-new gin and wine bar in Kelham Island.
Enver and Kirstie Tasker, whose restaurant was crowned the nation’s best kebab shop on the BBC show Britain’s Top Takeaways, have teamed up with tattoo studio owners Dan and Laura Hall to create Pad 12, a new bar that takes inspiration from the area’s industrial heritage and is named after the engraved padstone that is visible in the downstairs bar area.
The bar itself can be found in up-and-coming Kelham development, Merchants Court, on Mowbray Street, and is set to open on 17 October with a launch party on 19 October.
Pad 12 will combine the vision of the two couples, promising to bring a fresh, community-focused experience, as well as a wide selection of locally sourced gins and wines.
The foursome became friends when Enver and Kirstie opened their first restaurant in Handsworth, and it became a running joke that Dan and Laura were always in there.
Laura said: “Dan used to pretend he was going for a morning walk, but really he was just going for a chat and a coffee with Enver.”
Explaining how the idea for the bar came about, Kirstie said: “Since then, we’ve always joked about it, but once we actually sat down and discussed going into business, we jumped in right away. I wanted a gin bar, and Dan was keen on a wine bar, so we thought, why not both?”
This collaborative vision was born out of a desire to create a space that felt like a natural extension of their existing ventures, offering a warm welcome to customers and a place where people can relax and feel at home.
“We want people to come in, feel at home, and be treated like friends, not just customers,” says Dan. “Whether you’re there for a quiet drink or a private party, the aim is to create an inviting atmosphere where everyone feels important.”
Laura added: “It is also important for us that we’ve got the same work ethic. We’ve got the same view on customer service. It’s about being customer-first and giving the customers the best experience, like we do at our existing businesses. We wanted to combine that and bring it here. Almost like a local that isn’t necessarily local.”
Enver continued: “We wanted to do something new and different. Something that wasn’t cooking or tattooing. Somewhere people can hang out, because that’s not always possible in our busy restaurant.”
The bar’s main focus will be on a carefully curated selection of gins and wines, and the owners are passionate about working with local suppliers, sourcing products like Locksley Distilling gins and regional wines to give visitors a taste of what the region has to offer.
While gin and wine take centre stage, there will also be a selection of cocktails, as well as an IPA and lager on draught. In addition to this, the team is keen to offer a personalised experience. “We’re working with experts to train the staff, so if someone’s not sure what they like, we can help guide them through a tasting or offer samples,” adds Laura.
The bar will also cater to private events, making it a great spot for parties or celebrations. Though the venue doesn’t have its own kitchen, they plan to utilise Enver’s restaurant to provide catering and buffets for special occasions.
The courtyard in Merchants Court
The spacious courtyard is another key feature, perfect for summer get-togethers or outdoor events, and will hopefully become a more communal space as the units in the development are taken up. The owners are already looking ahead to seasonal events like BBQs.
Enver said: “We’re really excited and can’t wait to get going.”
Laura adds: “When my snagging list is empty, I’ll feel excited!”
Pad 12 is set to open its doors officially on 19 October and you can follow them here for more details. Also, keep your eyes peeled for further announcements coming out of Merchants Court as exciting plans take shape for the remaining units.
