Daniel Craig is swapping martinis for pints. The former James Bond actor is taking over a pub in Clerkenwell, central London, with some of the biggest names in British hospitality.
Craig’s partners in The Horseshoe are Nick Jones, the founder of Soho House, and Charlie Carroll, who founded the Flat Iron steakhouse chain and is behind the Soho pub The Devonshire. Justin O’Shea, creative director of the beer brand Bad Belze, is also involved.
A family trade
For Craig, the move is a return to his roots. “I grew up in pubs. My parents ran a pub. And my grandparents had a pub in the middle of Chester,” he has said.
It is the first pub for both Craig and Jones. “Whatever I’ve done with Soho House I always love going to a pub,” Jones said. “I’ve been dying to do a pub.”
What to expect
The plan is to keep The Horseshoe’s traditional character. “Obviously we’ll spruce it up but we’re going to keep it as a boozer,” Craig said.
- Downstairs: a drinking pub with bar snacks such as sausages on sticks and ham sandwiches.
- Upstairs: a full restaurant, with Carroll overseeing the food.
- Outside: the building has a beer garden as well as rooms upstairs.
The concept is reportedly modelled on The Devonshire near Piccadilly Circus, which opened last year. The Horseshoe is expected to reopen next year after a refurbishment.
Regulars may get a famous neighbour at the bar. “You will see me here on a Friday night,” Craig said.
Further reading
- Daniel Craig — Wikipedia
- Soho House — Wikipedia
- Flat Iron (restaurant) — Wikipedia
- Clerkenwell — Wikipedia
Image: Daniel Craig on Venice yacht by Flickr user wonderferret, BY 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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