Andrew is an established top tier rated licensing lawyer and has developed a following of renowned restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels, art galleries and museums. His clients include Tate Galleries, Chiltern Firehouse, Gaucho, Busaba, Barworks, and Alan Yau. Where firms do not have a licensing department, they regularly ask Andrew to advise their clients on the best licensing strategy.
Andrew has worked on some of the highest-profile cases and always aims to secure licenses without the need for an appeal. He excels in managing large portfolios for clients and helping them to expand across the UK.
Andrew’s particular strength is in negotiating with council officers, police and local residents, and has helped resolve many licensing reviews and closure order applications by way of agreement between parties.
An exceptionally commercially minded lawyer who approaches cases like an entrepreneur
Legal 500 2017
Combines a realistic approach with a can-do attitude
Legal 500 2017
Expertise
- Licensing of large developments, in particular international hotels and regeneration developments such as Deptford Project
- Difficult licence applications for nightclubs and bars
- Structuring the licensing aspects of any acquisition or sale or funding
- Helping chain restaurants to expand and improving the value of their licences
Experience
- Licensing the world’s most visited modern art museum, the Tate Modern on London’s Bankside. Securing the grant of a new and extended premises licence following the completion of its £260 million extension
- Obtaining a 24-hour licence for W Hotel
- Securing a 2am licence for Hakkasan
- Securing the licence for Chiltern Firehouse
- Licensing Park Chinois, Duck and Rice and Babaji for Alan Yau
- Securing the licences for Bounce and Flight Club Dart’s social entertainment venues
- Relicensing the 24-hour licence for W Hotel
- Obtaining extension of hours and capacities for premises located in the West End Stress Area including obtaining an extension from midnight to 3am and an increase in capacity
- Obtaining the licence for several new Everyman Cinema branches across the country
- Assisting Tasty PLC in its expansion across the UK
Please note: The experience list above may include examples of work completed prior to joining Keystone Law.
Recognition
Recognised by Best Lawyers (UK) in the practice area of Licensing Practice 2023
Recognised in Chambers UK 2022 for Licensing
“He is exceptionally commercially minded, has excellent judgement and is a huge asset to any client.” Chambers UK 2022
Recognised in the Hall of Fame by The Legal 500 2022 for Licensing
“Andrew Wong and Marcus Lavell are brilliant at client care, innovative thinkers, good with licensing authorities and carefully considered in all they do.” The Legal 500 2022
“Andrew Wong is exceptionally commercially minded and astute. Particularly good on London restaurants, retail and hospitality developments, bars and hotels. Approaches licensing like an entrepreneur, maximising the value of premises for clients and not simply as a lawyer. Results-driven, with many spectacular results under his belt.” The Legal 500 2022
Recognised in Chambers UK 2021 for Licensing
“He is exceptional in his commercial approach and astuteness. He thinks like an entrepreneur and acts like a can-do lawyer. He’s superb and innovative in his approach to difficult cases.” Chambers UK 2021
Recognised in the Hall of Fame by the Legal 500 2021 in Licensing
Noted for achieving ‘excellent results‘, especially when advising nightclubs, off-licences and events. The Legal 500 2021
“Andrew Wong is especially strong when acting for bluechip restaurant, hotel and bar operators in Central London.” The Legal 500 2021
“Andrew Wong is exceptional in is commercial approach and astuteness – he thinks like an entrepreneur and acts like a can-do lawyer.” The Legal 500 2021
Recognised in Chambers UK 2020 for Licensing
Sources praise Andrew Wong ‘s strategic approach, deeming him to be “extremely commercially astute and a first-class negotiator.” He offers expertise assisting with licence applications across the leisure and hospitality sectors, providing further advice on regulatory compliance. Chambers UK 2020
Recognised in the Legal 500 2020 as a Leading Individual for Licensing
Andrew Wong of Keystone Law is known for his ability to obtain licences on behalf of blue-chip clients. “He is a most commercially-minded solicitor whose approach is that of a business entrepreneur rather than a lawyer. He is particularly good at negotiations with authorities and offers first-class strategy advice,” notes a source. Chambers UK 2019
Recognised in the Legal 500 2018 as a Leading Individual for Licensing
Andrew Wong is “a real star” who “looks for solutions to achieve the apparently impossible” Legal 500 2018
Andrew Wong of Keystone Law is “an absolutely superb solicitor who approaches cases with entrepreneurial flair, commercial acumen and shrewd negotiating skill,” according to impressed sources. He acts for clients such as high-end art galleries on restaurants on licensing matters. Chambers UK 2018
Andrew Wong is recognised by the Legal 500 2017 as a Leading Individual.
“An exceptionally commercially minded lawyer who approaches cases like an entrepreneur” Legal 500 2017
“Combines a realistic approach with a can-do attitude” Legal 500 2017
Andrew Wong of Keystone Law is particularly adept at advising restaurants on their licensing concerns. One source names him as “the most commercially astute solicitor I have come across in licensing.”Chambers UK 2017Recently ranked in the top 10 licensing lawyers for London. Noted in the commentary as “Truly Outstanding” and “Stands out among the competitors” Legal 500 UK 2016
“ … the most commercially minded and commercially astute solicitor in licensing.” Chambers UK 2016
Career
Andrew qualified as a solicitor in 2003. Prior to joining Keystone Law in 2016, he worked at the following firms:
- Gordon Dadds
- Jeffrey Green Russell