The York based Hooting Owl Distillery has submitted plans to develop a new distillery on the site of a long vacant venue. 

The plan will see them move from their location in Barmby Moor to Rougier Street, on the site of a former Society Lounge and Bar, which has been closed since 2020.

The facility, which is to be named The Hooting Owl & Curious Cat Distillery, will allow for expansion and to offer visitors “an immersive experience” with a large distillation area, event space and a speakeasy gin lounge. Visitors will be able to sample the in-house range of craft gin, rum and vodka.

The new operation, which will open daily from 9am to 11pm, would aim to boost visitor numbers, create seven full-time and ten part-time jobs in the city, and feature an upstairs event space holding 60.

The distillery will open in the first half of 2024, providing Hooting Owl is granted planning permission.

Hooting Owl Distillery, which produces a range of premium North, East, South and West Yorkshire Gin, was founded in 2018 by craft distiller and former soldier Dominic M’Benga (pictured above), who incorporates botanicals in his spirits that represent The Royal Yorkshire Regiment and donates a proportion of the company’s profits to veteran causes.

He said: “This is an exciting time for Hooting Owl as we grow and expand. We do intend to stay true to our roots, producing high-quality, small batch spirits, but the new plans will see us join forces with some of our friends in the industry, including The Curious Cat and the Tipsy Toad, which will also be distilled at the new premises.

This is a strategic move for Hooting Owl, York is known for its rich history and thriving food and drink scene. We’re hopeful that the plans will be approved because we’d love to bring our small batch, artisan spirits into the city, not only to expand our Yorkshire business but to attract visitors and generate new jobs.”