Regardless of your craft, once you have earned the rank of ‘celebrity’, a whole world of opportunity presents itself to you – you have the means and the built-in PR machine to take on many-a-project. This is why, perhaps, so many meander in and out of other disciplines, building up quite a curious CV along the way. Take Steve Carell, the actor famous for his role in The Office, who is also the proud owner of a convenience store in Massachusetts, or Venus Williams, whose day job may be world-eenowned tennis player, but in her spare time she runs her own interior design studio, V Starr. Among the many ways that celebrities decide to invest their cash, opening restaurants and bars seems to be a favourite. From Emily in Paris star Lucien Laviscount's speakeasy-style bar in Kensal Rise, to James Blunt's rustic, family-friendly pub in Fulham, these are the ones you may not have known about.
James Blunt’s The Fox and Pheasant, Fulham
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When James Blunt and his wife, Sofia Wellesley, heard that their favourite neighbourhood watering hole was to shut down, they wasted no time in snapping it up. It reopened in 2018 following a renovation which saw the former chain haunt transformed into a sophisticated gastro pub complete with bags of country charm. Its menu is crammed full of delicious dishes, including beetroot tarte tatin and a classic fish and chips (though the accompanying ‘pea beurre blanc’ serves as a reminder of its Chelsea location).
Sir Ian McKellen’s The Grapes, Limehouse
In 2011, Sir Ian McKellen, the theatre stalwart and star of many a Shakespeare play, teamed up with film director Sean Mathias and businessman Evgeny Lebedev and bought The Grapes, a 19th-century, river-front hole in the wall which has been a longstanding fixture on ‘The Good Pubs Guide’. Though the actor is known more for his impressive performances on stage, evidently he is a dab-hand at pulling pints too – the reviews are as fantastic as the riverfront views. There is no fussiness here; the menu is hearty and simple, and the decoration is that of a true pubby-pub – think dark wooden panelling, painted red walls and small doorways leading from room to room.
Ed Sheeran’s Bertie Blossoms, Notting Hill
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Though it advertises itself as a bar, Bertie Blossoms, Ed Sheeran’s curious contribution to Notting Hill’s already plentiful offering of restaurants and pubs, is more of a smorgasbord of – presumably – everything the singer likes to eat and drink. Described by one Times reviewer as ‘without doubt the oddest restaurant I’ve been to in a long time’, Bertie Blossoms’ menu hops around the globe, from Italian pastas and Middle Eastern sharing plates to the all-too British staple, fish and chips. They have a rather impressive wine list which is packed-full of champagne, and moreish cocktails, which are best consumed from one of the outside tables where people watching opportunities are at their best. You may even get a glimpse of Ed, too.
Idris Elba’s Porte Noire, Kings Cross
This wine bar in Coal Drops Yard, Kings Cross is the result of a partnership between the actor Idris Elba (known for his roles in Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom and Luther) and David Faber, wine expert and founder of Connaught Wine Cellars. Inside, the decoration is dark and atmospheric; there are just seventy seats, while the cellar is packed with some 800 different wines. As for the menu, it’s simple, but just fancy enough to fit in: the chargrilled octopus leg is served with a red wine jus, and there’s a curious nod to the 1970s in the chicken cordon bleu, not that we’re complaining…
Guy Ritchie's Lore of the Land, Fitzrovia
Nestled among the streets of Fitzrovia is Lore of the Land, a gastro pub brought to us by none other than film director Guy Ritchie. The building, formerly known as The Lukin, has been a pub since 1829. Lore of the Land wears its traditional atmosphere with ease, and to step inside is to hide away from the hustle and bustle of the surrounding streets. A traditional pub with unobtrusively appropriate interiors takes up the downstairs, serving Gritchie brews and delectable small plates including an unforgettable crusty sourdough with walnut, treacle & marmite butter. The non-beer drinkers among us are equally well catered to, with a strong selection of boutique spirits and a carefully chosen wine list. Over the last few years Ritchie has been expanding his reach into the food and drink business slowly but surely. He runs his own microbrewery, Gritchie, brews from which are served at this latest venture.
Lucien Laviscount’s The Wealthy Beggar, Kensal Rise
Alongside stealing the hearts of many an Emily in Paris devotee, British actor Lucien Laviscount has been busy opening The Wealthy Beggar, an ‘upmarket speakeasy’ in his local Kensal Rise. ‘It is a very unique place in London’ Laviscount told Forbes of the neighbourhood in 2022. ‘There is a huge community vibe. It's very normal to walk into a bar as an individual or a family and just have a great chat, connect. See how the evening plays out.’ Working with restaurateur Zac Lichman, no expense has been spared – the ex-Nobu chef Gareth Drew has created a delightful menu of small plates, while the cocktails are exciting and inventive.
Rick Astley’s Mikkeller Bar, Shoreditch
When the Copenhagen-based craft beer brewery Mikkeller decided it wanted to open a bar in London, it waited for the perfect location, and the perfect partner to come along. Lucky for founder Mikkel Borg Bjergsø, the singer Rick Astley was raring to go. It might seem like an odd pairing, but Astley had worked with Mikkel before on ‘Astley’s Northern Hop Lager’, and evidently had developed a taste for the inventively-brewed beer. Mikkeller is just a few minutes walk from Shoreditch High Street Station, and is suitably low key in its design, with park benches and low stools dotted about.
