McVeigh to open sixth Draft House
McVeigh has acquired the Columbia Road Flower Market venue, saving it from closure after a prolonged period of decline.
“As someone who has banged on for years about saving the pub, I am thrilled to actually save one myself on this historic market street. The building itself has been denuded of many of its original features – and we aim to restore it to its original glory as the key pub on the market,” he said.
Craft beers
Like the brand’s other pubs, Draft House Birdcage will serve a range of local and international craft beers from the US, Germany, Belgium and the Czech Republic.
The drinks menu will also feature ‘optics’ cocktails designed by Max Chater of Bump Caves – McVeigh’s most recent opening. Served from traditional 3-litre pub optics bottles, these will include the Manhattan, Bump Martini and Bump Hi-Bye.
The food menu will include pies, with fillings such as steak and ale, steak and kidney, chicken leek and ham, and spinach, sweet potato and goat’s cheese; and sides of mushy marrowfat peas, liquor or onion gravy, and buttery mash.
Birdcage heritage
The new owner will maintain Birdcage’s weekly ‘knees-up’ karaoke night on Saturdays, and restore its traditional Victorian interior, including an ash-wood canopy bar, fluted columns, decorative mouldings and niches, as well as tan leather banquettes.
The 100-cover pub will also feature antique brass light fixtures and artwork from McVeigh’s collection.
Behind the bar, a caged display of the craft beer selection, along with neon signs and reclaimed industrial light fittings will complete the design.
Draft House expansion
McVeigh’s last Draft House opening dates back to August 2012, when he launched on the corner of Charlotte Street and Goodge Street in Fitzrovia.
He opened Bump Caves beneath his Tower Bridge Road pub in July of this year, and previously revealed ambitions to bring the number of sites under the Draft House brand to 10 by the end of 2014.
