Milroy’s closes east London bar

London whisky bar Milroy’s has shut its Spitalfields site to refocus investment in its flagship Soho venue and e-commerce.

Described as the city’s oldest independent whisky specialist, Milroy’s opened its first shop on Greek Street in Soho in 1964. The company’s second site at 76 Commercial Street in Spitalfields, east London, was opened in September 2019.

Milroy’s closed the east London site on 1 August.

The four-story Spitalfields venue included underground cocktail bar The Proofing Room, and The Dram Club members’ club, which included a cigar terrace.

All employees at the site have been offered roles elsewhere in the company, Milroy’s said.

The closure came six months after the departure of Milroy’s owner Martyn ‘Simo’ Simpson, who said the venue’s new board of directors had a “different vision on where to take the brand”.

Milroy’s is planning ‘extensive’ shop and bar renovations, alongside ‘enhanced’ tastings and events.

Furthermore, the company will expand its e-commerce team to allow it to offer its services internationally. Milroys.co.uk claims to be one of a few UK-based spirits retailers to offer US shipping.

‘Changing whisky demographic’ 

“Milroy’s of Soho will celebrate its 60th anniversary in 2024, and it’s vitally important that we both honour our roots while making sure the business is best equipped to serve a changing whisky demographic,” said Milroy’s of Soho managing director Stephen Worral.

“Our audience is increasingly international, and it is important that we adapt to meet their needs in a rapidly changing world.

“We’ve loved having an east London outpost in Spitalfields, and I’m grateful for the hard work from all our teams across the Spitalfield’s proposition. I thank each and every one of them for their dedication to the business, and look forward to welcoming them to Soho.

“It is now time to equip the business for the future.”

The Soho shop and bar will soon be open seven days a week.