DALSTON YARD: London’s New Cultural Playground Launches in July

What you’ll find:

• Food: A new space for top culinary talent to play across 10 different kitchens. From permanent new restaurants like the Butcher of Dalston, Andrew Clarke’s international chop house, to summer residencies from the likes of Budgie Montoya and Gizzi Erskine. With seasonally inspired flatbreads, fresh coffee and natural wine at Roseau, the late-night bakehouse, each corner offers an enticing new experience.
• Drink: Explore 7 bars and a bottle shop set across a 27,000 sq ft playground, each offering a distinctive selection of quality wines, spirits and craft beers curated by award-winning mixologist Rich Woods to complement our diverse food menus.
• Events: Immerse yourself in a world of culture with film screenings, expert talks, wellbeing sessions and live music across multiple spaces—all designed to inspire, enrich and connect.
• Music: Each weekend will feature our favourite musical collectives soundtracking the yard, highlighting the breadth of sounds inspiring our community today. Expect joyful selections from the likes of Phonica Records, No Signal and Eastern Margins.
• Art: A playground for established and upcoming artists to experiment with new ideas. Dalston Yard will feature large scale wall murals from artists like Joy Yamunsangie and Jazz Grant. With purpose-made artworks alongside a constantly-evolving rotation of arts experiences to engage in both our dining spaces and beyond, we aim to present an exciting range of art that provokes curiosity and conversation.
• Wellbeing: Ease into the weekend with Good Mornings, our curated mini retreat led by Lauren Raby (180 Health Club and Re:Mind Studio) alongside some of London’s finest wellbeing experts. Engaging in movement, mindfulness, immersive sound, nourishing food, as well as engaging talks ranging from financial to sexual wellbeing.
• Community Impact: We’re conscious of impact across all areas, from using 100% biodegradable packaging to working with social purpose organisations like Water Bear (known as the “Netflix for the planet”) and The New Black Film Collective. We also partner with A Plate For London to address food inequality, with a summer cooking club to teach local teens cooking skills and nutrition.

Context:

• Around a quarter (27%) of adults reported they felt lonely always, often or some of the time (UK Census)
• The lack of a third place (defined as public spaces crucial for neighbourhoods to interact, gather, meet and talk), and for many work-from-homers the lack of a second place, can lead to more pressure and dissatisfaction in our daily lives (Medium)
• Since 2010, there has been a 79% decline in youth clubs (Unison) and 800 library closures (Guardian)
• Impactful third places allow for customer and community self-expression, support concentration, and allow for active participation in the space – all that reinfoice the individual as part of the community. (National Library of US Medicine)
• In 2012, Dominic Cools-Lartigue launched Street Feast, spotlighting underground brands like Smokestak, Bleecker Burger, Bao and Pizza Pilgrims which are now considered an integral part of London’s dining scene. This same site is now being refreshed once more, with an elevated cross-category offering that reflects today’s cultural landscape and local communities.

The space will be made up of:

• Roseau: A warm, inviting bakehouse by day and neat wine bar by night, serving freshly baked viennoiserie, flatbreads, artisanal coffees, adaptogenic teas, homemade juices, espresso martinis and natural wines on tap.
• Liquid Affairs: A dynamic bottleshop, workshop and bar, where award-winning mixologist Rich Woods crafts bespoke cocktails and wine menus, transforming every liquid into a delicious affair. Experience the art of mixology on-site, then bring your favourites home with our bottled versions too.
• Little Gai: A five-star dive bar that offers a vibrant blend of tastes, from Japanese Izakaya-inspired dishes by Acme Fire Cult to vegan Jamaican patties by Denai Moore, inventive ice creams from Chin Chin Labs and expertly crafted cocktails by Rich Woods. Kick back and relax with excellent food, drinks and table service in this cosy yet lively setting.
• The Butcher of Dalston: An international chophouse, where British and French classics are infused with Indian, Turkish and Caribbean flavours, helmed by award-winning chef Andrew Clarke. A haven for meat lovers, where you can delight in chicken dripping on toast with caviar and crème fraîche, indulge in bacon ribs with Oxford Sauce, or choose from a variety of prime butcher’s cuts.
• The Window Club: A versatile cultural studio and event space set across 2,500 sq ft, featuring a big screen for films and documentaries, wellbeing programmes, art exhibitions, as well as a stage for talks and performances.
• Brothers & Sisters: Our African diasporic diner reimagining the classic diner menu through the lens of chefs from East and West Africa, and across the Caribbean. A new place to claim, connect and express our culture. Enjoy authentic diasporic dishes like Ethiopian Asa Kitfo (Fish Steak Tartare) and Brazilian Acaraje Donuts, alongside diner classics with a twist like our Trench Town French Toast and Suya Smashburgers.
• Amphi: A new commercial art gallery and dining space, with head curator Ronan Mckenzie launching a series of exhibitions and events.
• Yard Kitchens: Four Yard Kitchens featuring seasonal residences from some of London’s best chefs. Launching with food writer and chef Gizzi Erskine’s French menu with an Asian twist and Budgie Montoya’s elevated Filipino BBQ.
• Coworking Library and Lounge: Opening Autumn 2024, remote workers can easily drop in and enjoy a space designed with excellent facilities and amenities designed to help them thrive.