Well, it’s certainly caused a flutter across the neighbourhood. And the good news is – at least for #ThirstyThursday readers anyway – that new-pub-on-the-block The Birds opens today.
The owners, Laines, have around 20 pubs across London and beyond, and so know exactly what they’re doing. This one, inevitably, is their “homage to the area’s most famous son”, as immortalised in the tube subway and in other locations in the postcode (The Hitchcock being the most obvious).
They’re treating the Hitch thing seriously too, it seems. “Inspired by Hitchcock’s use of shadow and silhouette to create suspense and excitement, no lamps are visible,” says James from Laines. “Instead light flows out from behind screens, shades and shields giving a warm glow.”
Okaaay. And while Hitch was extremely partial to a strong drink, or so our sources say, The Birds will have a focus on more easygoing craft beer, featuring rotating guest beers from all the best East London breweries.
LOCAL ADVERTISING
As you can see from the pics, there’s lots of predictably mismatched furniture, those mahoosive windows and the colourful garden, above, with built-in bench seating at the rear, and an expensive-sounding “light curtain that covers the whole of the roof carcass,” says James.
Meanwhile, the Eyrie bar on the first floor will host all manner of live stuff including music, comedy, cabaret, pop-up cinema festivals.
On the food side, you can stick your beak into that pub staple, posh streetfood, with grilled or fried chicken (or halumi) dished up in kitsch baskets. Oh, and the usual list of pub classics like steak and fish and chips at between £10-£15.
“It should be a comfortable yet eclectic environment,” says James, “for enjoying great food and drink, whilst also providing constant talking points for Leytonstone residents, proud that it is part of the place they live.”
Tweet if you agree.
