The 1889 Grade II-listed pub on St John Street will reopen next month as a 110-cover venue spanning two floors. The ground floor will operate as a pub serving elevated classics while the first floor will be the new home for Island, Brown and Carter’s King’s Cross restaurant that recently announced it would be relocating.
Island, which launched at Mare Street Market King’s Cross in June 2025, will occupy a new 60-cover space in the pub and will continue to serve a surf and turf menu inspired by British produce and the chefs’ travels, with wild day-boat seafood and rare-breed meats on the menu.
The launch builds on Francis-Baum’s 30-year career in London hospitality. After founding Barworks in 1995, he grew a portfolio of 23 neighbourhood venues and co-founded Camden Town Brewery in 2010. Today, Barworks operates Two Floors, The Starman and Mare Street Market in Hackney and King’s Cross.
The interiors, designed by Francis-Baum, will ‘honour the building’s Victorian heritage’, combining original 18th-century mosaic floors with commissioned artwork.
“Pubs have been at the heart of my working life for more than 30 years, so taking on a building with the history and character of George & Dragon feels incredibly special,” says Francis-Baum.
“Barworks began with one Soho bar in 1995 and grew from our belief that every venue should have its own identity, feel part of its neighbourhood and give people a genuine reason to return. George & Dragon brings together that experience with everything we have learned through Mare Street Market about creating space for talented people.
“When we invited Tom and Brad to develop Island at King’s Cross, the goal was to give two world-class chefs a platform to explore their ideas and connect with people. Seeing Island evolve into a permanent restaurant above a proper London pub feels like a natural next chapter.
“We want to preserve the soul of this historic building while creating a great local for Clerkenwell: a relaxed neighbourhood pub downstairs and a special restaurant upstairs.”
Further details on the official opening date, menus and reservations will be announced shortly.