High-end sound for a floating Canary Wharf steakhouse and bar
Hawksmoor: Wood Wharf
This case study looks at how Middlesex Sound & Lighting (MSL) delivered high-quality, discreet, and intelligently zoned audio for Hawksmoor’s stunning floating venue in Canary Wharf – across three floors, all while navigating the unique challenges of a multi-level barge-based structure.
(Image Credits: Hawksmoor.com)
About Hawksmoor Wood Wharf
Hawksmoor is one of the UK’s most celebrated restaurant brands – known for ethically sourced British beef, sustainable seafood, and beautifully designed dining spaces. With venues across London, Manchester, and Edinburgh – as well as in New York and Dublin – the group has developed a reputation for exceptional food, drinks, and atmosphere.
Hawksmoor Wood Wharf represents one of the brand’s most ambitious and eye-catching locations. Housed in an eco-friendly floating pavilion, the restaurant gently rises and falls with the tide – a design feature that adds both character and logistical complexity. The venue combines a dock-level restaurant with a 120-seat waterside bar (formerly known as The Lowback) and a terrace offering sweeping views across the water.
As with any Hawksmoor venue, creating the right mood through flawless sound was essential.
The Project
MSL was brought in to deliver a high-end, fully zoned sound system that would offer excellent coverage across multiple floors – from the lively downstairs bar to the more refined upstairs dining areas and the private dining room.
With Hawksmoor’s reputation for premium dining and immersive environments, the sound system needed to meet several criteria:
- Powerful enough for a vibrant bar area with occasional DJ sets
- Subtle and balanced audio for the main restaurant and terrace
- Independent control and input options for private hire and events
- Aesthetic discretion – the system needed to look as good as it sounded
The Challenges
This was far from a typical installation. The restaurant sits within a floating barge structure in the middle of Canary Wharf – meaning the space gently rises and falls with the tide. Internally, that meant routing cabling across a venue that spans three levels – with fixed cable trays and limited access routes to navigate.
Each area also had a distinct acoustic profile and function. For example:
- The Lowback bar space demanded more impactful sound and a DJ input
- The restaurant required subtle, even distribution without hotspots
- The private dining room needed dedicated control
On top of this, speaker placement had to be extremely precise – ensuring optimal coverage without overpowering the environment or disrupting the architectural flow.
The Solution
To meet these varied demands, the MSL team deployed a distributed Martin Audio sound system across the venue.
Lowback bar (Ground floor)
- High-impact Martin Audio CDD6 loudspeakers and subwoofers
- DJ input for events and private hire
Main restaurant (Middle level)
- Multiple compact Martin Audio 5.5” speakers placed at a consistent 2.9m height
- Carefully zoned to allow for even coverage across both split-level dining areas
Private Dining Room (Top level)
- Independent speaker zone with local volume control and input
Precision & Aesthetics
All amplification was delivered via Powersoft units, with control handled via Soundweb London digital signal processing – ensuring reliable, flexible performance.
Each speaker and control element was selected and positioned to match the unique physical layout of the venue. By keeping speaker sizes compact and placements consistent, the team maintained sound quality while preserving the aesthetics of each space.
Training & Support
As with all Hawksmoor projects, MSL continues to provide ongoing maintenance and support – including regular servicing and any required updates across the group’s wider estate. The Wood Wharf system was handed over with training for in-house staff, and interface elements were designed to be simple, intuitive, and robust.
Each zone was configured with clear local control – allowing for seamless operation by any member of the Hawksmoor team, regardless of technical background.
Why Middlesex Sound & Lighting?
The Hawksmoor team chose MSL based on our:
- Proven track record delivering premium sound systems across hospitality venues
- Longstanding experience with high-end multi-zone restaurant and bar projects
- Familiarity with Martin Audio systems and Soundweb control infrastructure
- Flexibility and attention to detail in challenging architectural settings
From initial planning through to commissioning, we provided a start-to-finish service tailored to the venue’s unique structure and requirements.