Lacey, formerly of Hicce in Coal Drops Yard and Michelin-starred restaurant Murano, will oversee the food offer at two venues - Gilroy’s Loft and The Porter’s Table - while Franklin will be in charge of the food offer at Old Brewers Yard, a more casual courtyard dining operation that will serve his famous pies.
The restaurants are part of the new 54,000sq ft Guinness Open Gate Brewery that will open in Covent Garden’s Old Brewer’s Yard on 11 December and which will be home to a micro brewery serving limited edition beers and a visitor centre as well as spaces for public and community events and two retail outlets.
Gilroy’s Loft is a rooftop restaurant that takes its name from John Gilroy, the mastermind behind some of the most memorable Guinness campaigns. It will serve a seafood-focused menu celebrating the best of Britain’s coast with dishes such as line-caught fish and native oysters - designed to be paired with Guinness - and will feature a horseshoe bar as its centrepiece.
The Porter’s Table, which pays homage to the porters of Covent Garden who moved goods through the markets, will have a sharing menu of British dishes focusing on locally sourced ingredients.
Old Brewer’s Yard, meanwhile, will be a ground-level courtyard space at the heart of the brewery that will be home to the building’s main bar and where pies made by Franklin will be on offer. The area will have outside seating with no booking required and will host events and pop-ups spanning arts, music and special cultural occasions.
As well enjoying a pint of Guinness, visitors to the brewery will be able to sample a range of rotating, limited-edition beers and seasonal specials, including non-stout varieties and low-alcohol options, with lagers, session IPAs, pale ales and porters available on a permanent basis.
“The Guinness Open Gate Brewery London has been years in the making, and we’re thrilled that the moment has almost arrived,” says Deb Caldow, Guinness GB marketing director.
“We consider this Guinness’ home in the UK, hosted in the country’s dynamic capital city.”