Currently undergoing a refurbishment led by designer Tortie Hoare, who also designed The Holland, the pub will relaunch in late April 2026 while continuing to trade in the interim.
Less than a mile as the crow flies from The Holland, The Bird In Hand will be a sister venue to de Nahlik’s first pub while having its own distinctive identity.
The menu will be an evolution of The Bird In Hand’s existing food offer of Italian-Mediterranean plates such as smoked cod’s roe with toasted focaccia; and beef carpaccio, crispy kale, walnuts and lemon vinaigrette; alongside larger plates including whole fish of the day; and a pork chop for two.
Pizzas will also be available with toppings including Ventracina salami and fresh chillies; and spicy ‘nduja and smoked scamorza. Each month a guest chef or restaurant - starting with The Holland - will create a guest pizza for the menu.
The Sunday roast, meanwhile, will have Mediterranean influences, in contrast to the traditional British-style roast at The Holland.
De Nahlik will be using British produce from sustainable and regenerative suppliers, including Wildfarmed flour and locally made cheeses from La Latteria.
Drinks will focus on aperitivo-style cocktails, particularly Negronis, from the pub’s ‘Negroni Bible’, which guests and bartenders have been recording, and in some cases sketching, their personal recipes for years.
The refurbished site will feature a refreshed interior, outdoor seating, and a renovated private dining room for up to 20 people with botanical-themed wallpaper, a red ceiling, and a large central banqueting table, designed for group dining as well as events such as product launches and meetings.
“I’m absolutely delighted to be the new custodian of The Bird In Hand,” says de Nahlik.
“I intend for her to be very much a sister to The Holland; there’s a real kinship between the two pubs, they’re both at the heart of their respective neighbourhoods, but each has a distinct personality and appreciably different food and drink.”
He adds: “The facade of The Bird In Hand proudly proclaims ‘Rebuilt in 1926′, so 2026 feels like a fitting time for a rebirth of sorts."
“Our locals will still recognise the pub they’ve loved for the past century, while noticing that the food, drink and interior have had an upgrade.
“And first-time visitors will hopefully find themselves wondering what took them so long!”
De Nahlik is being supported and advised on the project by his mentor and friend, publican James McLean of The Oarsman in Marlow.