Black Rock plans summer expansion

London bar Black Rock has unveiled major expansion plans that include opening a second bar and lodgings above the original venue, which will make it the city’s “first” whisky hotel.

Black Rock Tavern features graffiti wall art by Ryan Gajda

The original Black Rock bar is situated in the basement of a four-storey building in east London, and will expand over five floors this summer.

The expansion will include the opening of Black Rock Tavern this month (July) above the original Black Rock bar, which will boast reclaimed oak features, bamboo ceiling panels and graffiti wall art by Ryan Gajda.

Designed to be “more informal” than the original Black Rock, the tavern will serve around 40-50 whiskies, plus five draught beers on tap and a range of whisky Highballs. Seating will include bar stools, booths, and high tops both inside and outside of the venue.

The Blending Room will open this summer above Black Rock Tavern. Here, visitors will be able to blend their own whiskies.

The session will include a whisky Highball on arrival, before a vertical tasting of single malts. Guests will learn about the history of blending as they try their hand at blending a selection of single malts, and will take away a 500ml bottle of their blend.

Bookings for the blending experience will open in July with sessions available from September onwards.

Towards the end of summer, Black Rock Lodgings will open, offering two compact rooms on the second floor, priced at £120 (US$150) per night, with a larger suite available on the third floor, priced at around £160 (US$200) per night.

Black Rock will be taking bookings for the lodgings from July, with rooms available from September.

Black Rock was founded by Tom Aske and Tristan Stephenson in 2016.