Josh Barrie Reviews Elephant Hackney: Grolsch on Tap Returns

Key Points

• Josh Barrie’s column “On the Sauce” spotlights Elephant, Hackney’s evolving modern pub scene.
• The acclaimed return of Grolsch on draft has garnered widespread attention and nostalgia among London drinkers.
• Elephant blends traditional pub elements with modern flair, offering an inviting atmosphere for East Londoners.
• Barrie, reporting for Evening Standard, emphasises the rarity and allure of Grolsch on tap.
• Elephant’s drinks list goes beyond beer, reflecting London’s dynamic drinking culture.
• Industry sources highlight the significance of tap Grolsch’s comeback for London’s pub heritage.
• The review blends personal nostalgia and critical appraisal, referencing broader trends in British pubs and drinks.
• Barrie notes the shift in atmosphere and drinks menus, catering to both new generations and long-time pub-goers.
• Coverage from Yahoo News and social media amplifies the excitement among London’s bar enthusiasts.
• The report features direct acknowledgement and citation of key statements and opinions published by Evening Standard and Yahoo News.

In a spirited ode to the modern British pub, Josh Barrie’s latest review for the Evening Standard celebrates Elephant, Hackney, as the site of a quiet revolution: the long-awaited return of Grolsch on tap. With a keen journalist’s eye and a clear affection for bar culture, Barrie chronicles the blend of nostalgia, novelty, and nuanced taste shaping this East London haunt, setting off a wave of enthusiasm through media and social channels.

What makes Elephant, Hackney a unique addition to London’s pub scene?

Barrie underscores Elephant’s successful fusion of old and new. Reporting for the Evening Standard, he characterises the bar as “a tremendous iteration of modern drinking and dining,” drawing a diverse crowd with its crisp service, thoughtfully curated drinks and warm, unpretentious setting. The pub’s management—profiled in glowing snippets on both the Evening Standard and Yahoo News—has tapped into a desire for authenticity laced with just the right amount of modern polish.

Why is the return of Grolsch on tap significant for Londoners?

As reported by Josh Barrie in the Evening Standard,

“my takeaway above all else is the Grolsch, which is on tap, and which once upon a time I would rarely have on account of it being too haughty a proposition. Now I can have it here, in east London. You see, bartenders never forget.”

Echoing Barrie’s sentiment, Yahoo News spotlights the story as a moment of nostalgia for many Londoners, recalling a period when Grolsch—a Dutch lager known for its swing-top bottle—occupied a select place in the city’s beer culture. After years of scarcity, its return on draft, especially at such a stylish venue, is seen as an emblem of shifting trends in London’s pub landscape.

According to the Evening Standard’s pub and bar coverage, Elephant is among a new generation of establishments bringing classic beers like Grolsch to the fore, reimagining staples for both older connoisseurs and younger drinkers open to rediscovering old favourites.

How has the atmosphere at Elephant evolved to cater to today’s drinkers?

Drawing on Barrie’s coverage, the ambience at Elephant strikes a careful balance. The review describes a “welcoming, softly lit” setting where patrons can enjoy both sociable pints and more contemplative solo moments at the bar. The pub menu and drinks list, while grounded in tradition, signal a willingness to innovate and accommodate broader tastes, from craft ales to signature cocktails.

Discussing the broader implications, Evening Standard nightlife writers note that venues like Elephant are integral to Hackney’s social resurgence, fostering a sense of neighbourhood while inviting experimentation behind the bar. Social media reactions from bar critics and local patrons confirm Elephant’s new standing as a beloved Hackney mainstay.

What role does personal nostalgia play in Josh Barrie’s review?

Josh Barrie’s reporting has become renowned for its blend of critical insight and personal recollection. In this review, Barrie acknowledges his own “once upon a time” reticence towards Grolsch—deemed “too haughty a proposition”—and recognises the simple pleasure in welcoming it back on tap. This honest reflection resonates with a broad audience for whom beer can be both memory and mainstay.

The Evening Standard’s editors add that such authenticity, both in menu and voice, is part of what sets “On the Sauce” apart from more generic bar reviews, helping readers connect their own memories and aspirations with the wider narrative of London’s evolving nightlife.

How have other industry voices and media responded to the review?

Local bar critics and London nightlife publications have echoed the themes outlined by Barrie. Hangouts and ES Reveller, active social media commentators on London’s bar scene, have shared and amplified the news, emphasising the nostalgia factor and the rarity of Grolsch on tap in contemporary pubs. Their response, combined with the original news coverage, has driven a new rush of patrons to Elephant, eager to try the revived brew.

How does Elephant, Hackney reflect wider trends in British pubs?

As noted by Barrie, as well as colleagues writing on the standardisation and innovation in British pubs, venues like Elephant synthesise heritage and contemporary tastes. The “return” of certain drinks, innovative bar menus, and a commitment to traditional hospitality attune them to the evolving expectations of a diverse clientele.

Elephant’s story, as detailed in Barrie’s review and confirmed by corroborating media voices, encapsulates a broader movement: the present-day British pub thrives on memory, reinvention, and the enduring power of a drink well poured.