Anyone got a M1NT? The fate of an almost Beijing club?

December 21, 2009 - M1NT - 9 comments

“A Breath of Fresh Air”

“Making a M1NT in Beijing”

“A Refreshing Retreat”

“Beijing’s New Cool Spot”

“M1NT CH1LLS BE1J1NG”

Holy Crobar, it seems we might be denied all of the above headlines given that it looks unlikely M1NT will open in our fair city – at least not any time near its proposed debut on New Year’s Eve.

The RMB42 million plan had been to open a 1500-square-meter venue on the third and fourth floors of one of those buildings beside the Park Hyatt. A few months ago, things apparently fell through and there was talk M1NT — known for its shark tanks and inspiring love-hate comments from patrons in Shanghai — would seek space in The Place. Hard to tell since M1NT seemingly doesn’t answer emails from mere mortals.

A story in this weekend’s South China Morning Post makes it sound like things have soured somewhat at M1NT (my highlights):

Nightclub entrepreneur Alistair Paton, who once battled celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey over his London establishment, has left Hong Kong for good.

Paton arrived in the city and launched members club M1NT on Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, with Andrew Lewis in November 2006.

But those close to the club say relations between Paton and others involved in M1NT, including many members and shareholders, have soured over the months. “It was a business decision,” one of them said.

Lewis, who was a school friend, said the split with Paton was “amicable” and that he was still a minority shareholder, although he would play no role in running the club. “I’m the one running the club now, and Alistair will concentrate on Shanghai.”

Hat tips to fellow twitterites @niubi and @AlexBowman

Conflicting versions of the reason for departure of M1NT entrepreneur

Nightclub entrepreneur Alistair Paton, who once battled celebrity chef Gordon Ramsey over his London establishment, has left Hong Kong for good.

Paton (pictured, far right) arrived in the city and launched members club M1NT on Hollywood Road, Sheung Wan, with Andrew Lewis (also pictured) in November 2006.

But those close to the club say relations between Paton and others involved in M1NT, including many members and shareholders, have soured over the months. “It was a business decision,” one of them said.

Lewis, who was a school friend, said the split with Paton was “amicable” and that he was still a minority shareholder, although he would play no role in running the club. “I’m the one running the club now, and Alistair will concentrate on Shanghai.”

Lewis said the club would have its first shareholders’ meeting before the Lunar New Year in February.

Hong Kong investors in M1NT previously expressed concern about their investments after the closure of Paton’s London club in April last year.

Investors in the Hong Kong club have taken up stakes for between HK$50,000 and HK$500,000.

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