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What to expect at London’s Guinness Open Gate Brewery

30 October 2025 By Jessica Mason

The Guinness Open Gate Brewery will officially open its doors on 11 December in London’s Covent Garden. db looks at what visitors can expect from the venue.

The new Guinness Open Gate Brewery from the Diageo-owned company, is inviting visitors the chance to explore the microbrewing facility and try with limited edition beers as well as be first in line for tour tickets and restaurant reservations from November.

Speaking to the drinks business, Guinness global marketing and innovation director Jo Looby described the launch as “our next exciting milestone” and explained that “the opening of Open Gate Brewery London later this year [will be] a Guinness neighbourhood in central London that inspires the best in brewing, food, retail, and culture”.

Revealing more about the venue, Guinness GB marketing director Deb Caldow hinted that “the Guinness Open Gate Brewery London has been years in the making” and admitted that Diageo is “thrilled that the moment has almost arrived. We can’t wait to welcome Londoners and visitors from around the UK and the world”.

The microbrewery, headed up by master brewer Hollie Stephenson who previously oversaw brewing at the Guinness Open Gate Brewery in Baltimore, will be the core space where visitors will be able to enjoy a quality pint of Guinness. In addition to this, the brewery will offer a range of rotating, limited-edition craft brews and seasonal specials, including non-stout varieties and low-alcohol options, with lager, IPA, pale ale and porter.

Describing what makes the venue special, Caldow explained: “We consider this Guinness’ home in the UK, hosted in the country’s dynamic capital city. It will be a place to celebrate heritage, embrace innovation, and invite visitors to discover new flavours, experiences, and stories.”

Caldow added: “Good things really are coming.”

The tour experience

Step into the pint: an intimate 360-degree immersive experience that tells the story of Guinness’s heritage within Covent Garden.

Exclusive brewery access: guided tour of the brand’s working brewery in London.

Brewer’s Room tasting experience: exclusive tasting sessions curated by the master brewer.

Pour your own pint: master the art of pouring and Guinness’ famous surge and settle ritual in the exclusive 232 Bar.

Location

The new 54,000ft2 venue will be located on the site of the historic Old Brewer’s Yard at The Yards in London’s Covent Garden.

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What to expect

The site will include two restaurants helmed by esteemed chef Pip Lacey, casual courtyard dining with pints and pies by chef Calum Franklin. As well as spaces for public and community events, the venue will also showcase exclusive merchandise collaborations and offer branded merchandise and a pipeline of collaborations.

Brewery eateries

Helmed by chef Pip Lacey, formerly of Hicce and the Michelin-starred Murano, the Shelton Street building is home to two restaurants, Gilroy’s Loft and The Porter’s Table. Alternatively, Old Brewer’s Yard offers an open space at the heart of the site (where no booking is required) for more casual socialising

Gilroy’s Loft

Named after the mastermind behind some of the most legendary Guinness campaigns, John Gilroy. With a horseshoe bar centrepiece, this space celebrates the best of Britain’s coast with a menu featuring line-caught fish and freshly shucked, native oysters, served in a stunning rooftop location with skyline views across London. Visitors will experience the best of seasonal quality and British coastal character and will have the opportunity to sample the perfect pairing of Guinness and oysters, a much-loved speciality since 1837.

The Porter’s Table

Paying homage to the hardworking porters of Covent Garden who moved goods through the markets, The Porter’s Table’s sharing menu is crafted for connection. It embodies Guinness’ ethos of goodness and community, and the time-honoured tradition of gathering around good food and a pint. With locally sourced ingredients at its heart, the menu spotlights the very best of British produce – with meat coming from trusted producers across the country and aged locally in West London, fish caught in British waters, and vegetables grown in London’s neighbouring counties.

Old Brewers Yard

A ground-level courtyard space that offers an escape from the bustling streets of Covent Garden-hosting the main bar, and handmade pies by chef Calum Franklin. Designed with community in mind, the area offers outside seating with no booking required, and will host events and pop-ups spanning arts, music and special cultural occasions.

Private Dining Room

Guinness Open Gate Brewery London will also be home to an exclusive private dining room where parties will be able to enjoy a hand-picked set menu showcasing signature dishes from all the restaurants on-site.

Retail stores

Visitors will also be able to get their hands on Guinness merchandise from two retail stores:

Guinness Good Things

Located on Covent Garden’s Neal Street, this store will be home to an always-on rotation of exclusive collaborations in fashion, art, and lifestyle, complemented by limited-edition merchandise and custom experiences.

The Store

Accessed via the brewery building, this will be home to best-selling Guinness merchandise, apparel and fan favourites.

The Guinness Vaults

On Langley Street visitors will find The Guinness Vaults, an underground, multifunctional private-hire event space, which will also host community and consumer events in 2026 – spanning music, culture and entertainment.