Fluid Movement founder to open cocktail bar at Town Hall hotel

Matt Whiley, co-founder of cocktail bar operator Fluid Movement, is set to launch a new venue at the Town Hall hotel, around the same time that Michelin-starred chef Jason Atherton will open a new restaurant at the Bethnal Green property.

The Peg + Patriot, named after its location on Patriot Square and ‘peg' being an old English word for a shot of liquor, is scheduled to open mid-April.

The operation will focus on distillation, with three styles of gin produced on site, including Moonshine Kid Dog's Nose, a hop gin, and jasmine and currant Lisle Street Gin. Whiley will also produce all the house vodkas, liqueurs and vermouths.

The cocktail list will feature drinks designed for the bar, such as the salt beef Sazerac (salt beef beigal cognac, absinthe, sugar and bitters) and Marmite vodka martini (P+P Marmite vodka served wet with house made dry vermouth).

Lee Westcott, executive chef for the hotel as well as Atherton's new restaurant and the Corner Room restaurant, will offer dishes designed to complement the eclectic drinks menu.

Earlier this month it was revealed that Jason Atherton and Singaporean lawyer turned restaurateur/hotelier, Loh Lik Peng are to back a new, as yet unnamed, restaurant venture on the site of what was Viajante at the hotel.

Other London bars in the Fluid Movement portfolio are Purl, Whistling Shop and Dach & Sons.

Jason Atherton to back new opening in former Viajante site >>