BLOODsports reimagines sports bars in the 21st-century with AV integration from Tateside

The latest creation from the team behind MEATliquor, BLOODsports carefully combines the most enjoyable elements of sports bar and ‘dive’ bar into a unique nightlife spot in the heart of London’s Covent Garden. With a menu featuring classic MEATliquor dishes, the bar broadcasts live sports all day and night, followed by late-night horror movies, with elements of classic horror films woven into the bar décor – even down to the carpet, which visitors might recognise from Stanley Kubrick’s chilling horror movie classic, The Shining. Having worked with founder Scott Collins on AV system design, implementation and maintenance for the MEATliquor chain, London-based systems integration specialists, Tateside were on board with the project from the outset.

“We’ve worked with MEATliquor for around five years, so we were enthusiastic to be a part of this new concept,” says Jack Cornish, Technical Director at Tateside. “You don’t find many sports bars around these days, and with its prime location in Covent Garden, it was an exciting project to be involved in.”

Multi-Screen Sports and Entertainment Setup

With BLOODsports wanting to livestream every kind of live sport in the bar, the video requirements were a major focus. A total of 28 screens to cover every possible viewing angle in the venue were built into the system design. The covered spaces include the main bar area, a games room and snug area, and a private room for events or larger parties – all without any walled separation. Even the bathrooms feature screens for non-stop entertainment.

Due to the open-plan nature of the space, audio zoning was a crucial consideration, ensuring that multiple sports could be broadcast simultaneously without audio bleeding between areas. Tateside worked closely with the client and Hisense’s UK distributor, Audio Visual Intelligence to secure the best possible deal on a variety of screens ranging from 32” up to 75”.

Tateside implemented a video-over-IP solution for the backend video system using a Blustream IP300 series transmitter and receiver, supporting 4K video at 60Hz, essential for live sports. The system integrates eight different video sources, including Sky boxes, streaming services, a DVD player for vintage horror films, and a signage player used for displaying drinks promotions.

The video and digital signage distribution is handled through the digital signage platform, embed, which allows for remote management and content scheduling. “One of the most interesting and on-brand features of BLOODsports was an LED ticker tape, which we installed above the bar,” recalls Cornish. “We commissioned a custom 9-metre by 250mm ticker-style LED, which is used for displaying slogans, drinks promos and sports stats.”

High-Performance Audio and Seamless Control

The scope for audio was to implement a distributed system where different venue areas could listen to different audio feeds. The system is built with a mix of professional-grade audio brands, including Martin Audio CDD loudspeakers and XE212 subs in the main bar, Audac ceiling speakers throughout, and Void Acoustics in the private VIP area. Dante-enabled Powersoft amplifiers were chosen for audio distribution, whilst Netgear POE+ switches handle networked AV traffic. The overall system is controlled through Q-SYS, with a touch panel and iPad providing intuitive user control over audio sources, screen content and even karaoke playback from a karaoke system sourced by the Tateside team.

Given the system’s flexibility and ease of source selection, the karaoke system’s audio and video output can be distributed across multiple screens and loudspeakers, depending on how busy the bar is or what other fixtures are taking place at the time. Beyond sing-a-longs and sports, other entertainment options include a DJ booth with Pioneer CDJ and mixer.

Ongoing Support for a Flawless Guest Experience

Despite the project’s complexity and strict timeline, Tateside’s involvement in the design phase contributed to the smooth running of the project. Tateside will provide ongoing support for BLOODsports with a dedicated maintenance service that ensures any technical issues are addressed within four hours. “Whilst the project is now signed off and the bar is open, our work with BLOODsports continues via our managed services agreement,” says Cornish. “This high level of support is crucial for a venue that relies so heavily on its AV infrastructure as part of the guest experience.”

Since its opening, the bar has been stacking up 5-star reviews. The collaboration between BLOODsports and Tateside has resulted in a truly unique and unmissable entertainment destination. “This was our first time working on a sports bar, and it was exciting to be part of something so bold and brash,” remarks Cornish. “It’s an ambitious project that combines entertainment, audio and digital signage into one cohesive experience. The fact that we didn’t have to hide the tech, but rather make it a part of the bar atmosphere, made this a really enjoyable project for us.”

“The AV setup at BLOODsports is next level; every screen, every speaker, and everything just works seamlessly,” says Scott Collins, co-founder and CEO at MEATliquour and BLOODsports. “Whether it’s game day or a late-night horror screening, the atmosphere is always spot on. Tateside absolutely nailed it.”

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