From a small burger shop on Nowy Świat to one of the world’s top 100 clubs, the founders of SEN Group are reshaping Warsaw’s nightlife and taking their vision global. In this exclusive interview with WBJ, Mithat Akardaş (CEO), Guy Hilkevich (CFO), and Patryk Burzyński (CCO) share lessons from their early struggles, the bold bets that defined their journey, and how they’re exporting Warsaw-born hospitality to Bali and beyond.

WBJ: Mito, you began in hospitality back in 2011 with a small burger shop on Nowy Świat. Looking back, what lessons from those early days still influence how you approach business today?
Mithat Akardaş (Mito): The biggest lesson was learning to stay calm and think things through more than once before acting. Don’t pretend you know everything – instead, rely on the knowledge and strengths of the people around you. Patience is crucial, and so is avoiding changes that are too fast or reactive. Those early days taught me to balance ambition with discipline.

Opening Brooklyn #2 was a huge risk that nearly cost you everything. How did that experience shape your mindset as an entrepreneur?   

Guy Hilkevich: That was a tough chapter and definitely a turning point for me. It forced me to learn crisis management the hard way – staying calm, finding solutions, and pushing forward even when everything seemed against me. What made the difference was going through it alongside my best friend and partner; sharing that experience made us stronger, both personally and in business.

Mito, the location for SEN was a bold vision from the start. What inspired you to take on such an ambitious project, and when did you know it was the right move?

Warsaw lacked venues that combined real quality with a genuine sense of home. We wanted to create a place that not only raised hospitality standards but also redefined what hospitality could feel like. For me, it was always about setting a benchmark – but the timing, the location, and the people involved all had to align. From the start, my strategy was simple: do less, but do it well. That’s why we waited five years before taking on something bigger. By then, we had the experience and confidence to leap forward.

Mito, collaboration has been a central theme of your journey – from working with Guy Hilkevich to teaming up with Guy and later bringing in Patryk. What makes these partnerships work so well, and Patryk, how did you see your role fitting into that dynamic when you joined?

Guy was my best friend, and we had already been through tough times together. That proved we could be strong partners. Normally, it’s not easy to do business with a close friend, but with Guy it was different. The trust and respect we shared, combined with our backgrounds of hard work and persistence, made the partnership solid. I knew that no matter what happened, we would work it out.

With Patryk, the story was different. We knew each other, but not closely at first. Still, I believe in signs, and the path led us to him. His background, success, and deep knowledge of nightlife were key reasons we wanted him as a partner. It didn’t take long to see he was one of us – more than a friend, almost like family – while also bringing balance to business relations.

The bond between the three of us made everything stronger. Everyone understood their role, there was trust, and Patryk’s perspective and experience added real value.

Patryk: Fitting into the dynamic was very natural from the start; however, being a partner in business was different from what I was used to, as I had always been a one-man show. Everything I did in entertainment throughout the years was fully created by me from A to Z – venues, music, lighting, photography, graphic design, promotion, and the overall vibe of exclusive private parties. With the boys, the energy was mutual from the beginning, but you need to get used to facing challenges together. I know we felt very much alike, and when it clicks, it clicks – it’s the gift of understanding another human. Of course, it takes time to learn each other, because at the end of the day we are all different, but what matters most is having the same goal, and that’s what makes us different from others.

Patryk , When designing SEN, what guiding principles did you follow to create something Warsaw – and even Poland – had never seen before?

Patryk: This one was easy. It was always inside me, and I knew instantly what it had to be. The setup of the place was perfect – like a dream: a New York apartment. You feel cozy, at home, like you’re at a house party. That has always been the vision – giving guests the sense that they belong the moment they walk in, a warmth that makes them feel at peace and not want to leave. Add the right lighting, hip-hop music, candles, and a drink, and you’re there.

There wasn’t much thinking in the process; it was more about feeling, and that feeling always guided me to the right places. We’re happy our guests feel it too, every weekend. Everything they encounter is rooted in emotion, very personal to me. The vinyl records and albums on SEN’s shelves are part of how I grew up – the elements that shaped me. On SEN’s wall, for years, there was a slogan: “Love is the Reason.” The words and font came from my first tattoo, inked when my grandfather passed away – the most important person in my life. That moment shaped me. So you see, everything we give to people is real, built on genuine emotion.

SEN being named among the world’s top 100 clubs was a milestone. Guy, what does that recognition mean to you personally, and Patryk and Mito, how do you feel it positions Warsaw on the global nightlife map?

Being included among the world’s top 100 clubs is an honor. Personally, it’s a moment of pride and validation for the passion, creativity, and hard work we’ve poured into building SEN. It tells me that what we’re doing resonates not just locally, but on an international level. To be mentioned alongside world-class venues like Hï Ibiza, Pacha, and others makes it even more special. It’s a step forward. Warsaw may not be the first city people think of for nightlife, but this recognition shows it has something unique to offer. We hope it inspires more people to discover the city for themselves

Patryk: It makes me proud that people see us and recognize the quality we give. Warsaw is an amazing city and we have a lot to offer. We have so many guests flying in weekly to Warsaw because of SEN for the first time and their minds are blown after their trip here and it makes them coming back for more. 

Furthermore, we always looked at SEN and anything else we do, not locally but always globally, so it’s cool that the recognition and the respect is there. 

Mito: Personally, it made me proud not just for us, but for Poland. It showed that if you dream big and execute well, you can create something world-class here.

With MOON, you introduced a more boutique concept alongside SEN. Mito, what was the thinking behind launching MOON, and Patryk, how does it complement the identity and energy of SEN?

We saw what was happening around the world and gaining popularity, and we wanted to bring that energy to Warsaw at the highest level. The core of the concept was always top international artists – bringing them here is a big step for Poland and for Warsaw’s scene. At the same time, we support these acts with great Polish artists to show that we also have real talent at home.

The atmosphere we wanted to create was inspired by the Boiler Room style – with the DJ in the middle, surrounded by people, where the energy flows in every direction. It creates a connection that feels alive and intimate, something you can’t experience in the same way at large festivals or arenas.

And none of this would have been possible without our team. Their readiness for new challenges and their belief in the concept gave us the confidence to launch MOON – and their passion is what keeps it alive.

Patryk: SEN and MOON are two different worlds, yet they go hand in hand. Our focus is on the quality of the product we deliver and the experience guests have as part of our vision. We cater to their feelings. SEN is flashy and bold, very New York and LA, while MOON is more intimate, minimalist, and discreet – which makes it very sexy and unique.

For me, MOON complements SEN because it offers a different rhythm. SEN is about scale, momentum, and big collective energy, while MOON is about precision – the sound, the design, the atmosphere. Together, they give people choice: the freedom to experience Warsaw nightlife in a way that fits their mood. What matters to us is creating spaces that feel authentic, whether that’s thousands dancing under one roof or a few hundred sharing something more intimate.

Your venture in Bali, with Bella and now the upcoming villa complex, shows that the vision extends far beyond Poland. Mito, how do you approach translating your concept into international markets, and Guy, what have been the biggest surprises or lessons so far?

For me, it starts with respect. You can’t just copy and paste a concept from one country to another. Every place has its own rhythm, its own culture, its own energy. With Bella, we kept our DNA – Mediterranean and Middle Eastern flavors, immersive hospitality – but allowed it to blend with the spirit of Bali.

At the same time, we brought a new perspective by combining dining with entertainment. That’s what makes Bella special, and today I believe it’s one of the most popular places in Bali – known both for its food and for its unique kitchen parties.

The villa complex is a very personal project for us. Each of us is contributing our own ideas and focus to the design of our houses, creating something truly unique. For me, architecture is a passion – a way to express my vision and inspiration. I think a lot about how people feel in a space, because feelings matter most. Sometimes you don’t know why a place makes you feel good, but it’s always in the details. That’s the fun part for me: making people feel something through design.

Of course, building in Bali is much harder than most people imagine – but we like things that are hard. Challenges push us further, and that’s why this project excites me.

GUY: The biggest surprises have been about adaptation. Entering a completely different market and business environment meant unlearning some habits, developing new skills, and staying open to different approaches. At the same time, learning and respecting the local culture, rules, and standards has been invaluable – it has taught us patience and perspective as much as entrepreneurship. Finally, navigating such a competitive, fast-growing, and globally trendy market has been a real test. Proving to ourselves that we can build something from scratch, without the network we have in Poland and simply by sticking to our vision, has been both the challenge and the reward.

Music and creativity run through everything you do – from house music at MOON to the entertainment experiences at Bella. Patryk, how do you curate and shape that cultural DNA, and Guy and Mito, how do you see music’s role in defining your venues?

Music is the key – the essence of everything. When we have a vision, the first thing I think about is the music: how it sounds when I look at something, how a place gives me different sounds, and how, when the sounds work, it gives the green light to move forward. We always begin by defining the emotions and experiences we want guests to feel the moment they walk in.

For me, it’s like the opening credits of BELLY by Hype Williams. It blew my mind when I was a kid, and that feeling has always stayed with me and guided me. (Watch the movie or check it out on YouTube.)

Music, design, scent of the space, staff interactions – all are consistent across every touchpoint. It’s all about storytelling: the stories in SEN come from New York, the stories in MOON come from Boiler Rooms, Ibiza, Burning Man, and beyond. Cultural DNA is defined by the people you bring in and the rituals you create.

The way we curate is by being intentional about every element – music, design, partnerships, how the team welcomes people. The way we shape it is by listening: to the energy of the city, to our guests, to our closest team. That mix of influences creates a living DNA – one that stays authentic to our vision but continues to evolve as we do.

Mito: Music is the key to success. You can design, plan, and build everything perfectly – but if the sound isn’t right, the magic is gone. That’s why I stay deeply involved in the music direction. The right music is the final touch: without it, you only have walls and tables – but with it, a good night becomes a celebration, unforgettable.

Finally, with new projects in Poland, Bali, and beyond, where do you see SEN Group in the next five years? What’s the big dream each of you still wants to realize?

Guy: In five years, I see SEN Group expanding as a global lifestyle brand with flagship projects in Poland, Bali, and other exciting markets. At the same time, we want that growth to feel meaningful – steady, thoughtful, and true to who we are. Our goal is to keep creating unique spaces that combine music, culture, and hospitality, while staying true to the DNA that got us here and ensuring each project feels authentic to its place and community.

Patryk: Keeping true to ourselves and our identity means being smart in our decisions, whatever we encounter and wherever life and ideas take us. You don’t talk about your dreams – you envision them and make them happen. That’s the blessing we’ve been living so far.

Mito: The dream is to keep raising the bar – to create venues that surprise people and set new standards for hospitality. In five years, I see us not only in Poland and Bali, but in other cities as well. I want SEN Group to be recognized globally for innovation and energy.

I don’t want to say too much, but expect the unexpected. Our vision is very broad, and while there’s a lot we’re planning, I prefer not to reveal details – especially since, unfortunately, we see many competitors trying to copy us. That’s why we have to stay cautious and protect our ideas.