Mr Fogg moves into Covent Garden Market
London-based hospitality group Inception will open the flagship venue in its Mr Fogg’s Tavern collection next month (July).
Mr Fogg’s Market Tavern will sit on the former site of the Crusting Pipe, which traded for 47 years within Covent Garden’s Market building.
Ten existing Mr Fogg’s venues in London offer immersive experiences and ‘adventurous’ libations in experiential locations, and this 4,500-square-foot venue will be the largest of the group’s Mr Fogg’s Taverns, which includes the original site on St Martin’s Lane, Botanical Tavern in Fitzrovia, City Tavern near Liverpool Street, and Hat Tavern in Soho.
Designed as an ode to a traditional Victorian public house, the bar will feature multiple rooms that are connected by original vintage brickwork arches and flagstone floors.
High seating will occupy the majority of the inside space, which boasts enough room for 130 covers, as well as low-slung booths within the arches.
The terrace will feature a characterful selection of tables and fixed benches in traditional green stripes, with a capacity of 60 people.
Guests can reserve tables and specific areas, as well as full private hires inside, while the outdoor terrace will have space for bookings and for walk-in customers to enjoy.
Mr Fogg’s Market Tavern will open daily from 11am, and will serve a wide selection of beers, wines, punches and cocktails.
The punches will include the Punch & Juicy – a combination of 42 Below vodka, passion fruit, apple, vanilla and caramel, topped with Moët & Chandon Impérial Blanc N.V. Champagne – and A Fruity Punchline, which is described as a fruity coming together of Tanqueray Gin, Evangelista Ratafia cherry, spiced red berries, lime, and Franklin & Sons Pineapple & Almond soda.
Cocktails will include the most popular serves from across the Mr Fogg’s collection, including the ‘herbal and delicate’ Burlington Martini, which features Bombay Sapphire Premier Cru gin, cucumber, fresh mint and lime, as well as the Perfect Timing – a vibrant mix of Patrón Silver Tequila, Cointreau, chipotle chilli and hibiscus, pink grapefruit and lime.
A ‘standout’ feature of the site will be The Guinness Saloon – an eclectic space with its own dedicated Guinness bar.
As each pint of Guinness is poured, a counter will show the number of pints of Guinness that have been sold since the opening. For every 1000th Guinness, the customers’ picture will be added to the venue’s Wall of Fame, and they will be offered a round on Mr Fogg. The person to order the 10,000th pint will win an all-expenses trip to Ireland to visit the Guinness brewery.
Inception Group co-founder Charlie Gilkes said: “We couldn’t be more excited to be opening such a flagship Mr Fogg’s Tavern in the most famous market building in the world. We look forward to welcoming Londoners, visitors from across the UK and internationally, and are particularly excited to have built an amazing room with Guinness.”
Emma Matus, head of restaurant leasing at Shaftesbury Capital, said: “The launch of Mr Fogg’s new concept in Covent Garden’s Market building is a testament to Shaftesbury Capital’s dynamic leasing strategy, securing best-in-class, experience-led operators.
“Mr Fogg’s Market Tavern will complement the destination’s character, heritage and global appeal, showcasing our commitment to the curation of distinct F&B and leisure experiences in Covent Garden.”
Mr Fogg’s Market Tavern will open within the Covent Garden Market building on 20 July.
Other bar concepts in the Inception Group portfolio include the 1990s-themed Bunga 90 in Covent Garden, which opened last year, and two Cahoots venues: the original located in Kingly Court, and Cahoots: Postal Office, inspired by the post-war postal service, located in Borough Market.
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