TGI Fridays has announced it is opening a new cocktail bar and restaurant concept in Surrey called 63rd+1st.

The first venue will open in Cobham on 8 January 2021, inspired by the original TGI Fridays, which opened in 1965 in Manhattan on the corner of 63rd Street and 1st Avenue. The restaurant will seat 96, with outdoor dining for an additional 20 covers. The restaurant, which has a concept described as “a vibrant meeting place for grownups” with “the feel of a Manhattan loft”, will have a New York-influenced menu with communal plates, salads and main dishes. Robert Cook, chief executive of TGI Fridays, said: “This is an exciting time for the Fridays business and a reflection of our long-term commitment to growth. We have seen a credible performance this year, despite the challenges of Covid-19.”

Cook said: We have been agile, responsive, and continued to innovate throughout 2020 and this is a further demonstration of our ambition… Naturally, we will adhere to government guidelines upon opening to ensure the health and safety of our guests and staff, but we are very optimistic about the potential of 63rd+1st and we see this as a huge opportunity to drive further growth, in tandem with the core Fridays brand in 2021.”