2026 Best Hospitality Group Winners – Red Engine
Fresh from being crowned Best Hospitality Group at the 2026 Bar Magazine Awards, Red Engine celebrates a milestone moment for its fast-growing, tech-driven social entertainment empire. Founder and CEO Steve Moore reflects on the culture, creativity and constant innovation powering concepts including Flight Club and Electric Shuffle — and reveals what’s next for the award-winning hospitality group.
What does winning this award mean to the team, and how does it inspire Red Engine’s next goals?
Winning Best Hospitality Group is a proud moment for the entire Red Engine family. It’s a testament to the passion of our teams, from bartenders to game developers, who work tirelessly to ensure our guests have an unforgettable experience.
At Red Engine, we believe that world-class hospitality isn’t just about a great product; it’s about the collective energy of our teams who bring our concepts to life. This award recognises those teams and the hard work and passion they put into delivering amazing experiences for our guests.
Innovating and evolving are two of our core values. It’s in our DNA. This award is great validation of that philosophy and inspires us to keep pushing the boundaries so that we can continue setting the pace for the future of tech-driven social experiences.
How does Red Engine strive to make a meaningful impact in the hospitality field?
Red Engine’s vision has always been to create bars that bring groups of friends together for an unforgettable experience. The aim a decade ago, when the first Flight Club opened, was to build something different from an average pub or bar experience. The goal was to provide an escape from the mundanity of life that would get people’s heads out of their phones and connecting with one another in the moment. That mission remains just as true today and fuels everything that we do. We know people go out less, so when they do, you need to deliver something truly memorable.
Beyond the guest experience, we aim to showcase the breadth of roles available in the sector and challenge the myth that it only offers short-term jobs and traditional hospitality roles. At Red Engine, every aspect of the business is handled in-house, from interior design to gaming design, from tech to finance. This means that career opportunities within the Red Engine group are vast, spanning a broad range of industries and disciplines. That surprises many people who still hold the illusion that hospitality as a career choice is limited.
What advice would you give to aspiring professionals/hospitality teams looking to achieve similar success?
First, obsess over the “vibe.” Whether it’s the Victorian fairground unexpected, ridiculous joy aesthetic of Flight Club or the vibrant, nostalgic house party atmosphere of Electric Shuffle, the environment must tell a story. Every touchpoint—from the music to the lighting—should be intentional.
Second, focus on the “friction points.” The best hospitality concepts succeed because they remove the barriers between a guest and a good time. Whether that’s seamless booking, intuitive technology, or the way a drink is served, every detail matters.
Most importantly, build an epic culture. You can have the best concept in the world, but it’s the people on the floor who turn a transaction into a memory. Hire for heart and energy; everything else can be taught.
What’s next for Red Engine in terms of your future goals, short and long-term?
Our focus is two-fold. We will continue to evolve and refine our experiences to ensure we maintain our position as a market leader whilst also driving our domestic and international expansion. We’re excited to keep introducing the unique joy of Electric Shuffle and Flight Club to new cities in the UK and across the globe.
We aren’t just building bars; we’re building experiences that redefine how the world connects with each other. The ongoing mission remains simple: to create the best possible settings for people to come together and share meaningful moments.
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