In October, a new, all-day drinking and dining destination known as Booking Office 1869 will open in the heart of King’s Cross. A reimagining of the original, 19th century St. Pancras ticket hall, the launch marks the tenth anniversary of the opening of the St Pancras Renaissance Hotel and will replace the previous Booking Office bar & restaurant.
The meticulous redesign has been overseen by acclaimed Parisian architect and designer Hugo Toro, who has worked alongside owner and renowned property developer Harry Handelsman (Chiltern Firehouse, Manhattan Loft Gardens), to create a design which brings the room to life by blending old and new influences.
Booking Office 1869 is the first UK-commission for Hugo, who has previously led the design for restaurants in France including La Scène, Perruche, and GiGi de Ramatuelle. Working collaboratively with Harry, Hugo was influenced by the strong patterns and colours of the hotel’s iconic Grand Staircase, which in turn inspired him to create a Victorian-style Winter Garden, serving as a gateway to Europe through the use of lively and eccentric patterns, fabrics, and features.
The room, which can seat 120, will be dominated by features including eight 8-metre tall palm trees and three pendant lights made up of 267 brass leaves each, along with a 22-metre long bar, which surrounds the original ticket office, all serving as key focal points. Seating, and complementary fabrics and patterns, will be used creatively to divide the room and ensure an appropriate atmosphere where drinkers do not feel alienated by diners and diners feel comfortable to eat around guests enjoying a drink. Hugo has said “My overarching ambition was the introduction of a contemporary voice but one still connected to a past time; a visual dialogue with the space’s extraordinary heritage.”
Open until 12am on weeknights, and 1am on Fridays and Saturdays, menus will be overseen by Patrick Powell (Allegra, Chiltern Firehouse, Wild Honey) who has curated an all-day style A La Carte menu running through snacks, salads and starters, mains, sides and desserts, designed to highlight classic dishes finished with a modern twist. Accompanying the menu will be a live Raw Bar serving both market oysters and sashimi-style tuna skewers.
Signature snacks and starters will include Fried chicken, yoghurt & lime, and Barbequed carrots, braised grains, yoghurt, pistachio & dukkah. For mains there will be choices such as a Fried fish sandwich with spicy tartar sauce, Slow roasted lamb shoulder cooked in chermoula spices for two to share, and Monkfish and potato curry with spinach, spring onion & lime. Desserts will comprise a Brioche donut with caramelised apple & burnt cinnamon cream as well as the nostalgia-inducing Blackberry trifle.
The drinks offering will be equally considered, with Bar Manager Jack Porter (The Mezzanine at The Stratford, Library Bar at The Ned) designing a menu which will be available until late and draws heavily on the architecture of the building, taking inspiration from materials widely used during the Victorian-era, and throughout the original room, such as glass, steel, copper and wood.
The cocktail list emphasises the idea of combining the old with the new and is divided into two parts; Refined Classics see modern techniques used to accelerate the ageing processes, whilst still maintaining the complexity and depth of flavours and include a House Martini (Hepple Gin, Dry Vermouth, Organic Beeswax, Black Olive) and a Clear Margarita (House Blend of Agave, Citrus, Salt). The second part is made up of Signature serves, a selection of cocktails incorporating Victorian materials, served in a modern yet pared back style, with drinks such as Victoria Sour (Barsol Pisco, Long Pepper Spice, Plum Syrup) and Ol’ Signalman (Pecan Nut Infused Bourbon, Cocchi Rosa, Coconut Bitters). A tea-inspired non-alcoholic range will also be available, alongside a premium selection of Champagnes, wines and spirits.
Following the launch of Booking Office 1869 will be the opening of the Roof Garden. The embodiment of a hidden al fresco garden, the Booking Office 1869 Roof Garden will serve a snacking menu from its indoor counterpart with seasonal activations with like-minded drinks partners, ensuring its relevance throughout the year.
With St. Pancras International Station serving as a passport between London and the rest of Europe, the newly reimagined Booking Office 1869 will embody this charm through Hugo’s reinvigoration of the space, alongside the sophisticated yet understated food and cocktail menus created by Patrick and Jack respectively.
Located at St. Pancras Renaissance Hotel, Euston Road, London, NW1 2AR, the bar and restaurant are open Sunday through Thursday from 6:30am till midnight and Friday through Saturday from 7am to 1am. To make reservations, head over to the official website.
