Historic English pub that once opened until 5am reopens after seven years
A HISTORIC UK pub has reopened after a £1.8million renovation.
The Hoop and Grapes pub in Farringdon, London has reopened after a huge refurb – and all the buildings around it are modern skyscrapers.
The Grade-II listed pub has been closed since 2019 as the surrounding area was redeveloped.
Restored by Britain’s oldest brewer Shepherd Neame, the refurbished pub still celebrates its history, whilst also adding vibrant and modern elements.
The pub was originally built in 1721 on land that used to be a part of St Bride’s Church burial ground and is thought to have been a wine merchant’s home.
And the boozer is well known for being the site of illicit ‘Fleet Marriages’.
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These were weddings that took place illegally in the late 17th century and often involved couples wanting to marry fast, for example when a woman was pregnant.
To bring the story to life, the pub has added a swing sign which depicts an 18th-century wedding scene.
There are also hand-painted signs on the outside of the pub that add to the historic front facade.
The boozer also once held a special license to operate from 2am to 5am for printers and market workers.
Across five floors, the building offers three different experiences.
On the ground floor is where visitors will find a traditional London pub with a courtyard garden.
On the first floor, there is then a comfortable seating area.
And the top floor is a more intimate piano room, ideal for private events.
The menu features dishes with locally sourced ingredients and seasonal produce.
There are buffet feast boards as well, such as a beef burger sliders platter for £50 or a pork and sage Scotch eggs board for £45.
When it comes to having a tipple, the pub boasts Shepherd Neame’s award-winning Kentish ales and lagers, English wines and cocktails.
According to the pub’s website, “the name ‘Hoop & Grapes’ likely refers to the metal hoops used to hold barrels together, and the grape-derived wines that will have been the daily business of this 18th century building even before it became a public house.
“However, a possible alternative reading of the name is that ‘Hoop’ could be a corruption of the word ‘Hops’ and the name might simply refer to the availability of both beers and wines within.”
One visitor said: “Best pub in the ‘City’ in my opinion.”
Another simply said: “Beautiful pub.”
In other pub news, here’s a very extensive list of London’s 35 best pubs – by the locals who drink in them.
Plus, the best pubs across the UK – including indoor slides, huge beer gardens and pints cheaper than Wetherspoons.