Co-Founder, Three Sheets
London, UK
MAX VENNING
“How to open a bar…and what’s the point?”
Day TBC
TIME TBC
Location: Bisou Bisou
Presented by:
SYNOPSIS
From opening Three Sheets Dalston in 2016 on a shoestring, to raising capital and opening our Soho site in 2024. The mechanics of the business, and what does it take to open a bar that lasts for 10 years? Finally, what's the point? What's the reality of Bar ownership, and is it a job for everyone?
BIOGRAPHY
Max Venning, Co-Founder of Three Sheets, began his career at the age of 17, working at The Railway in Manchester. He steadily climbed the ranks, and while studying in Edinburgh, joined the Montpeliers Group at Rick's Hotel. With years of hospitality experience, Max made his way to London to work with the Drink Factory. Simultaneously, he took on the role of Operations Manager, overseeing the renowned 69 Colebrooke Row and leading the opening of Bar Termini, all while managing consultancy projects.
In 2016, Max and his brother Noel opened their first venue, Three Sheets Dalston, which quickly gained recognition, earning a spot in the prestigious World’s 50 Best Bars for five consecutive years and being nominated as one of the top 10 international cocktail bars for six years in a row at the Tales of the Cocktail Spirited Awards. Building on this success, the brothers opened Little Mercies in 2018. Their ambition continued to grow, leading to the opening of Three Sheets Soho on Manette Street in March 2024 and soon after ranked #80 by Worlds 50 Best Bars in 2025. This new venture seamlessly blends the spirit of a world-class bar with the timeless charm of old-school Soho.
Now the owner of three thriving bars, Max offers a bespoke consultancy service, backed by over a decade of industry expertise. He has partnered with renowned clients such as Ikoyi, Dinner by Heston Blumenthal, Coca-Cola, and Sipsmith, providing guidance in areas including product development, bar and restaurant launches, re-development, and back-of-house restructuring.
In more recent news, the brothers are expanding their Dalston bar, launching their new multi-use coffee shop and prep space adjacent to their Dalston location. This development will be a collaboration with Dead Good Coffee, who will open a coffee shop at the front of the space. This partnership will enable the Venning brothers to continue their innovative work and build on their seasonal cocktail program at the Dalston bar.
Working closely with their suppliers, the team will maintain a focus on sourcing the best seasonal ingredients, introducing new drinks each week, and pushing the boundaries of liquid development. The goal is for the most popular creations to make their way across to the Soho venue. Additionally, this new space will serve as a hub for the brothers’ successful consultancy business, which counts clients like Ikoyi, The Tamil Group, Pearly Queen, and The Mondrian Ibiza among its roster. The space will also be available for brands to hire, offering opportunities for masterclasses and product development collaborations.
Max and his brother are constantly envisioning what’s next. Already on the hunt for their third Three Sheets location, they’re exploring opportunities outside of London, with plans to expand the business into a multi-city operator across the UK - and eventually, internationally.