Whisky and strawberry jam cocktails were among the surprises at the reopening of one of Hammersmith’s landmarks, the Brook Green Hotel. The building that has overlooked Brook Green for 120 years has been given a new lease of life by Young’s Brewery and is now set to be a West London destination gastro pub with 17 boutique hotel rooms upstairs and a cocktail bar and night spot in the cellar.
On hand at the bubbling Brook celebrations were the pub’s spirits suppliers who concocted the Auchentoshan & Ale cocktail which they hope will change people’s perceptions of whisky as a cold weather drink and ‘convert non whisky drinkers’.
Made with Auchentoshan whisky, ale and strawberry jam it sounded weird but looked and tasted summery and refreshing. Young’s were showcasing their range of beers including their latest IPA London ale.
Food at the Brook Green ranges from pub staples such as sandwiches and shared plates to formal dining with specialities including pan fried Scottish hake and Dingley Dell pork collar with braised red cabbage and celeriac puree. The pub has a variety of eating and drinking places, and has given them all names, ranging from The Smith’s Table, a relaxed living room style area with comfy sofas, The Train Carriage – a high seated bench table with curtains around for privacy, and throne like seats near the bar called ‘The Lucky Area’.
If you are really lucky, you can stay in one of the rooms here. Upstairs, the Brook Green has had a spectacular makeover with hotel rooms as fashionable as any you could find in the West End and lovely views over Brook Green, a quiet leafy park in the middle of a sometimes chaotic and grimy West London. Prices are from £90 - £165 per night.
Below stairs, Smith’s Cocktail Bar is a late night drinking den open Wednesday and Thursday 5pm to midnight and Friday and Saturday 5pm til 1.30 am.