UK. Independent Surrey-based brewery Big Smoke Brew Co and Airport Retail Enterprises (ARE) have joined forces to open a Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen craft beer and food destination at London Luton Airport in June.
The new venue follows the success of the partners’ first venture at Heathrow Airport Terminal 2.
ARE said Big Smoke’s design aesthetic and ethos of comfortable spaces and warm service will be on show, alongside the brand’s range of locally-produced beers, cider and gins.
The bar will feature Big Smoke’s core range of beers, including eight keg options, one cask ale, a choice of six cans in the fridge and three house gins, alongside a large selection of premium beers, wines, spirits, cocktails and soft drinks.
ARE said that a curated food menu has been designed with the airport traveller in mind, featuring a wide range of seasonal options designed for all-day-dining. These range from pub classics to sharing dishes and all-day breakfasts, with highlights including DIY tacos, grilled meat sharers and homemade burgers.
Guests can tailor dishes to individual tastes by choosing from a selection of grills, side dishes and sauces. The daily breakfast and brunch menu includes pancakes with maple syrup, eggs Benedict, sweetcorn fritters and the ‘Big Smoke Signature Breakfast’, featuring house-smoked beef brisket.
Big Smoke Taphouse & Kitchen will also have in-built technology featuring an order at table/pay at table system, providing customers with the convenience and safety of ordering and paying for their meals and drinks from their phones.
Rich Craig launched Big Smoke Brew Co with his business partner James Morgan in 2014. He said: “We are thrilled to be opening a new Big Smoke restaurant at London Luton Airport, bringing our signature home-cooked food and craft beers to more global travellers. We are in safe hands with the team at ARE who are as dedicated to delivering fantastic service and a welcoming atmosphere as we are.”
London Luton Airport Chief Commercial Officer Jonathan Rayner said: “With demand for air travel returning, the arrival of Big Smoke at London Luton Airport is well timed ahead of what’s expected to be our busiest summer since 2019.
“It’s the perfect complement to our diverse range of shops and restaurants and it promises to be a big hit with our customers, delivering even more choice, providing an excellent menu and the convenience of at table ordering and payment.”
ARE Director John Butts said: “ARE is delighted to be opening our first pub at London Luton Airport, and so pleased that we can continue our successful partnership with Big Smoke. We know how popular their beers and gins are with airport travellers and we are looking forward to bringing them to London Luton Airport.”
Note: The Moodie Davitt Report has recently relaunched its FAB Newsletter. This regular newsletter features highlights of openings, events and campaigns from around the world of airport and travel dining.
Please email Kristyn@MoodieDavittReport.com to subscribe.
