Greene King launches Black Friday cross-brand discount offer: Greene King, the UK’s pub retailer and brewer, has today launched an innovative cross-brand digital promotion to its customers to celebrate this year’s Black Friday event, which falls on Friday (25 November). This is the first offer of its kind from the industry leader, and gives Greene King email subscribers the opportunity to benefit from a 33% Black Friday discount on food at a range of Greene King’s destination brands, including Chef & Brewer, Flaming Grill, Loch Fyne, Hungry Horse, Old English Inns, Fayre & Square and Eating Inn. Rob Rees, Greene King marketing director, said: “Black Friday has become a key date for consumers over the past couple of years. It has become a key trading event for retailers and we think there’s an opportunity for pubs to build on that excitement. To mark the event we’re delighted to be able to offer our guests 33% off food at over 850 of our pubs and restaurants across the UK.” The offer can be redeemed between today (Wednesday, 23 November) and Monday (28 November). Meanwhile, Strada is offering any pizza, pasta or risotto dish for £1 this Friday between 11am and 6pm with the proviso there are limited tables available.

Hakkasan Group increasing its presence at MGM Grand with new concept pitched directly at millennials: UK-based restaurant and nightclub company Hakkasan Group is increasing its presence at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas with a new concept pitched directly at millennials. Dubbed Level Up Las Vegas, the concept promises “lounging, gaming and social interactivity” all in one spot. The project is hiring and potential staff has been notified they will be required to “engage in direct client interaction by participating in various games, with a friendly and upbeat attitude”, plus become familiar with the “strategies and tricks within the games”, reports Vegas Eater. While details are still very much under wraps, the concept is rumoured to be inspired by downtown’s Gold Spike lounge, bar and restaurant venue, which provides a “grown-up playground” of over-sized and vintage board games. Inside Fiddlestix restaurant guests can dine, drink, play table and video games and communicate with fellow customers via provided iPads. One possible location for Level Up is inside the former Rainforest Cafe, just a few steps from the entrance to Hakkasan’s nightclub and restaurant. The shuttered 8,800 square foot cafe has been undergoing a remodel into a “gaming floor” since mid-September. There are a handful of places left on the Propel and ALMR Study tour to Las Vegas in March 2017. Contact Jo Charity on 01444 810304 for more information.