Guinness has finally announced the opening date of its much-anticipated Covent Garden precinct, the Guinness Open Gate Brewery London. It opens on December 11, transforming the historic Old Brewer’s Yard – where a brewery was first established in the 18th century – into a 54,000 square foot hub of pints, food and Irish culture.
It’s launching as the UK experiences a surge in Guinness consumption, with millions of pints of the black stuff sold in the UK every day – reportedly including around 20,000 pints each week at The Devonshire in Soho.
The project was first announced last year, and it aims to bring the spirit of Dublin’s St James’s Gate Brewery (home to Guinness since 1759) to the heart of London. Inside, it’ll house a working microbrewery led by Guinness head brewer Hollie Stephenson, as well as two restaurants, a tasting room, a courtyard drinking space and other Guinness-based experiences.
Chef Pip Lacey (ex-Hicce and Murano) will oversee two restaurants. There’s Gilroy’s Loft, a rooftop seafood spot that will serve Guinness and freshly shucked native oysters alongside a menu of line-caught fish. The Porter’s Table will be a more relaxed, share-style space leaning on seasonal British produce. Down in the ground-level courtyard, the main bar area will serve handmade pies by Holborn Dining Room’s former executive chef Calum Franklin.
It will also house two retail spaces – selling Guinness merch and exclusive fashion and art collaborations – and the Guinness Vaults, a subterranean venue that will host gigs and events from next year.
Restaurant reservations and tour tickets open in November.
