Collaboration between KG Hospitality and Asahi has brought Meantime brewing back to Greenwich via a microbrewery well positioned for events at The O2
Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here
Visitors to Greenwich Peninsula arriving by Tube, can scarcely have failed to notice a new opening right opposite the main walkway to The O2.
The curvy three-storey structure on the south-eastern corner of Peninsula Square, which once housed Craft restaurant, has been brought back into use via a partnership between venue operator KG Hospitality and brewing giant Asahi.
“We were first in contact about two years ago,” said Ricardo Guimaraes, KG co-founder.
“The lease on their Meantime brewery at Greenwich was up, so they moved operations to Chiswick, but they still wanted to keep a presence in the Royal borough.
“The idea was to have a bar and a microbrewery so they would still be making beer here.
“We looked at a number of units inside The O2.
“They were good, but the logistics weren’t clear.
“Then we spoke to Knight Dragon – they showed us this space and we thought it was a great location.”
embracing the curves
Built by the developer as a sister structure to its main marketing suite for the ongoing regeneration of the Peninsula – the two cylindrical towers share a canopy roof – it’s pretty much the first place tourists and commuters arriving via the Jubilee line see when leaving North Greenwich’s northern exit.
KG and Asahi took the space and the result is The Dial – a three-level sports bar and restaurant with a microbrewery at ground level and plentiful outdoor space – which opened its doors a little over a month ago.
“We especially liked the fact we have three floors, which gives us the flexibility to do different things,” said Vineet Kalra, KG’s other co-founder.
“The lower level is a tap room and houses the brewing facilities and then the first floor is focused on sports.
“The rooftop bar, which is indoors and also has a terrace, is used for events, but also as an overspill area if we get busy.”
With sales already exceeding expectations by around 25% in its first month, that’s a challenge the owners are already experiencing – albeit a nice problem to have – thanks to custom from the thousands flocking to gigs and events at The O2.
“There are about 200 shows a year and we’ve seen that, from 5.30pm to 7.30pm, we can be super busy and again, lots of people stop by afterwards from about 10pm onwards,” said Ricardo.
“That’s particularly true for rock gigs where the audiences are aged 25-45 and are looking for a drink – we didn’t think we’d be selling this much beer quite so soon.
“But we’re also nicely busy between 8pm and 10pm.”
Vineet added: “We’re also really focusing on the local community.
“There’s a lot of development happening here over the next few years and there will be greater demand from people living here, so it will be interesting to see how they interact with us and what we’re offering.”
sports and snacks at The Dial
KG opened The Dial, more or less back-to-back with the launch of its second Amazing Grace live music venue.
Building on the success of its original London Bridge bar – running out of a converted church – its new Canary Wharf branch at 12 Bank Street has been well received in its first weeks.
That project drew on Ricardo and Vineet’s passion for live gigs, while The Dial taps into two of their other interests.
“Again, it’s about creating somewhere we’d like to come,” said Ricardo.
“Beer and sports appeal to us.
“We like American football, baseball – I love to watch pretty much any kind of sport.
“With this kind of venue in the UK, I think there can be a real lack of energy, so we’re trying to bring the feel of an American sports bar to London.
“We’ve spent quite a bit of time over there and we’re using that for inspiration.”
Vineet added: “That’s true of the food too.
“We’ll be doing things like wings, sandos, burgers, calamari and nachos.
“We’ll also be looking at expanding the menu in the spring and we plan to have a food truck outside too as well as an outdoor kitchen.”
brewing Meantime on site
Beer is clearly a key attraction at the venue, with KG already bringing in extra dispensers for outdoor areas and adding taps to its bars to help serve the crowds more efficiently.
Meantime is represented by a series of large tanks ready to hold the beer produced on-site, with the first brew – Citra Pale – now available.
Also in the pipeline is the return of the brand’s much beloved Yakima Red, set to be a permanent addition to the menu as soon as the first batch is produced.
Pints at the venue start at £6 for a Meantime Dial Lager, at a hangover friendly 3.4% ABV.
“We’re brewing beers here every three to five weeks and we’re engaging with local residents to offer it to them first,” said Ricardo. “It’s very important, I think, that we’re Greenwich-focused.
“The whole idea of the venue is that people can have different experiences when coming here. You can come to The Dial and have a couple of pints before going to a show at The O2.
“But then you can also come here and watch a sporting event, whether that’s boxing, football of F1 with your mates.
“We don’t look like a traditional pub so you can also come down, work on your laptop and have a drink or a meal.
“We offer private hire options and can take around 500 people if you want to book the whole venue.
“We’ve also had people visiting specifically for the beer, which is great and we’re embracing new products such as the lager and the Meantime Midnight Nitro Stout, which is proving really popular.
“What’s nice is that The Dial gives the brewery a home here again – it’s a place where people want to go and this is a great location for that.”
Vineet added: “We’re always learning and this venue will be no different.
“We want to ensure this is a home for sports, food and beer where people really feel at home.”
key details: The Dial
The Dial: Home Of Meantime is open at Greenwich Peninsula daily from noon-11pm, Monday-Thursday, until 1am on Saturdays and Fridays and until midnight on Sundays.
Find out more about the venue here
Read more: Orbit Clipper begins carrying ferry passengers between Rotherhithe and Canary Wharf
Read Wharf Life’s e-edition here
Subscribe to our free Wharf Whispers newsletter here
